Voila! Finally, The Village
script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the movie starring Bryce Dallas Howard,
William Hurt, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, etc. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of The Village. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally
tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. You won't
hurt my feelings. Honest.
Who'll pinch me to wake me up?
Who will laugh at me when I fall?
Whose breath will I listen for...
...so that I may sleep?
Whose hand will I hold...
...so that I may walk?
We may question ourselves
at moments such as these.
Did we make the right decision
to settle here?
We are grateful for the time
we have been given.
What manner of spectacle has attracted
your attention so splendidly?
I ought to carry it in my pocket
to help me teach.
Who came upon this?
- Philip, did you move this?
- No, Mr. Walker.
I inspected it carefully. Its head was
twisted back and much of its fur removed.
- I see.
- It was murdered.
But who is the culprit?
Who has done this heinous act?
- Those We Don't Speak Of killed it.
- There it is.
Why would such a notion
come into your mind?
- They're meat eaters.
- Mmm.
They have large claws.
Children...
...Those We Don't Speak Of have not
breached our borders for many years.
We do not go into their woods,
they do not come into our valley.
It is a truce.
We do not threaten them.
Why would they do this?
And we ought not to overlook
the Flight of the Birds.
We didn't have it last year
and I, for one, missed it desperately.
And I know your wife missed
the children dressed in feathers and such.
- I am fond of it.
- Mmm.
I do not have a say in this matter.
August Nicholson is chair
of today's meeting.
There's a young man who has
requested a word with the elders.
Well, do have him come forward.
Alice.
Hello, Lucius.
"My mother is unaware
of the reason for my visit today."
"She did not give her consent
or consult me in any form."
"The passing of little
Daniel Nicholson from illness,
and other events,
have weighed on my thoughts."
"I ask permission to cross
into the forbidden woods
and travel to the nearest town."
"I will gather new medicines,
and I will return."
"With regards to
Those We Don't Speak Of,
I am certain they will let me pass."
"Creatures can sense emotion and fear."
"They will see I am pure of intention,
and not afraid."
"The end."
What goes on
in that head of yours?
Say something, Lucius.
Finton Coin is in the tower,
and I've promised to sit with him.
Hmm.
Do you ever think of the towns, Finton?
The towns?
What for?
They're wicked places
where wicked people live. That's all.
Thank you, Lucius.
You're a good friend.
I do hope no one saw you.
What we seem to have amongst us
is a predator of some type,
most likely a coyote or a wolf.
Its manner of... of killing
and removing the fur,
but leaving the flesh torn,
may be a sign that this animal
suffers from madness.
And for the next fortnight,
we should be vigilant
for sightings of this coyote.
Keep careful watch over
our little ones as they play on the hills.
As for the other notion...
...we do not believe
our boundary has been breached.
Those We Don't Speak Of are much
larger creatures than coyotes...
...and we would know
if they had been here.
Ahh, it's frightful, this business
with the coyote. Is it not, Papa?
- Do not feel worried, Kitty.
- You are not troubled?
I'm certain it will all end soon.
- Can we speak on other matters, then?
- It would be a relief.
I'm in love!
I want your permission
to marry, Papa.
There's a proper manner in which
things are supposed to happen.
Such as the boy would normally be
standing next to you,
in a moment such as this...
Where is the boy in all this, Kitty?
I haven't spoken to him as of yet.
The young man is unaware
of your intentions?
He has a quiet way. I was going to talk with
him, Papa, but not without your blessings.
I won't talk with him without your blessings.
Kitty!
It's Lucius Hunt.
Lucius?
You think badly of him?
- No, no. I have been thinking about him.
- He's not like the other boys, Papa.
He doesn't joke or bounce about.
No, he certainly does not.
Do I have your blessings, then?
Look, do me one favor first.
Do not tell anyone else of your burstings
until you have spoken with the young man.
Good afternoon, Lucius.
I wanted to... to... to tell you something.
I love you, Lucius.
I love you... like the day is long.
I love you more than
the sun and the moon together.
And if you feel the same way,
then we should not hide it any longer.
It's a gift, love is.
We should be thankful.
We should bellow it out
with all the breath in our lungs.
Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you!
Shh, shh.
Shh.
Baby, sleep, gently sleep
Life is long and love is deep
Time will be sweet for thee
All the world to see
Time to look about and know
How the shadows come and go
How the breeze stirs the trees
How the blossoms grow
I often wondered if you and my son bonded
because neither of you is fond of speaking.
You're very kind.
You must pardon my manners.
I haven't slept in many nights.
You are doing capital,
Jamison.
Just a few more moments, huh?
Gather your bravery.
Do not jostle about so. You'll ruin my shirt.
They made a sound when I made a sound,
and they mimic before they attack.
Have courage, man.
That's a wives' tale. It isn't true.
Do not falter. Steel yourself!
You know,
like a dog can smell you.
- Pardon me, Mr. Nicholson?
- Hmm.
You may run from sorrow, as we have.
Sorrow will find you.
It can smell you.
Hurry.
I didn't know you could run so fast.
We're still for running and staying... Hey!
Noah ought to be punished. He
whacked little Joseph with a stick again.
- Ouch!
- No more hitting! Put it down!
Ow, ow, ow!
Why don't they grab it?
Noah Percy!
Stop your fussing right this moment.
You're in trouble, you know.
- No hitting, no hitting.
- I'm to place you in the quiet room.
Um, I'll cry quarts.
- What if we strike a deal?
- Yeah, capital idea.
It would be prudent to keep our deal
a secret. Can you do that?
Can I keep a secret?
Like a church mouse.
You needn't go to the quiet room
if you a take an oath
to never strike any person again.
- No hitting, no hitting.
- No. No hitting.
- No hitting.
- No hitting.
No hitting.
The deal is struck.
We ought not return right away, huh?
What shall we do
with our stolen time?
- Hmm.
- Hmm.
- Hmm. Shall we have a foot race?
- Yes.
- Up the hill to the resting rock?
- No cheating.
What a deeply scandalous thing to say.
I insist you take that back.
Is that the school bell?
lvy, you cheated!
I know! I'm sorry!
Whoo!
My sister cried a lot.
You wonder how I recognized you?
Some people - just a handful,
mind you - give off the tiniest color.
It's faint, like a haze.
It's the only thing
I ever see in the darkness.
Papa has it, too.
Do you wonder what your color is?
Well, that I won't tell you.
It's not ladylike to speak of such things.
You shouldn't even have asked.
You run like a boy.
Thank you.
I know why you denied my sister.
When I was younger...
...you used to hold my arm
when I walked.
Then suddenly, you stopped.
One day, I even tripped
in your presence, and nearly fell.
I was faking, of course,
but still, you did not hold me.
Sometimes we don't do
things we want to do
so that others won't know
we want to do them.
What?
What's this? Oh, berries.
What a splendid present.
Be cautious.
You are holding the bad color.
This color attracts Those We Don't
Speak Of. You must bury it.
You ought not to pick
that color berry any more.
He picked it from his pocket.
What's wrong?
Your breathing has changed.
I've never set eyes
on these before.
You did not pick that now.
Where did you find this?
"Today at Resting Rock,
Noah Percy handed lvy Walker berries
of the bad color."
"When asked where
he found these berries,
for they were not like
others I have seen,
he pointed to the drawing
upon Resting Rock."
"It is my belief that Noah Percy
has entered the woods,
and has done so on many occasions."
"It is also my belief that,
because of his innocence,
those creatures who reside
in the woods did not harm him."
"This strengthens my feeling
that they will let me pass
if they sense I am not a threat."
We shall speak of the town,
just this once,
and we shall never speak of it again.
Your father left for the market
on a Tuesday,
at a quarter past nine in the morning.
He was found robbed and naked
in the filthy river, two days later.
Why'd you tell me this blackness?
So you will know the nature
of what you desire.
I do not desire it.
My intentions are true to my word.
I think of nothing
but the people of this village.
Forgive me.
I am but scared for my only son's life.
I am not the one with secrets.
What is your meaning?
There are secrets
in every corner of this village.
Do you not feel it? Do you not see it?
That is for my own well-being,
so the evil things from my past
are kept close and not forgotten.
Forgetting would be to let them
be born again in another form.
Then let us open it.
No!
Perhaps we should speak
with Edward Walker together.
- He may be able...
- He hides, too.
He hides his feelings for you.
Oh.
Sometimes we don't do things,
yet others know we want to do things,
so we don't do them.
What nonsense are you saying?
You needn't worry.
Nothing will happen to me.
You remind me of a colt sometimes.
What makes you think
he has feelings for me?
He never touches you.
There's no escape!
Oh, hello.
I was just playing a game with Noah.
The rascal must have gone
to hide in my house again.
Houses are against the rules!
He knows that.
Are you all right?
We're tending to the children tonight,
Kitty and I. I should be with her. Be well.
I heard my parents speaking of you.
I know of your request to go to the towns.
I think it is noble,
but I do not think it is right.
Are you not angry
you have no sight?
I see the world, Lucius Hunt.
Just not as you see it.
What of Noah, then?
What if there are medicines for Noah
that could help him be still and to learn?
May we stop speaking of this?
It is putting knots in my stomach.
Kitty is to be married.
She's found love, again,
with Christop Crane.
You think it an odd choice, right?
You know, he won't sit back in his chair
for fear of setting wrinkles on his shirts.
But he does have
a gentlemanly way about him...
...and he does care for my sister deeply.
I think Kitty is blessed.
I am blessed as well.
My older sister is now spoken for.
I am now free to receive
interest from anyone...
...who might have interest.
I'm going to get you. Oh!
I got you. I got you.
Can you fetch a blanket for me?
Have you seen Noah?
Lucius?
Lucius?
- Hurry, to the cellar!
- Oh, good gracious!
- They're coming. They're coming.
- Close the door.
- Noah, close the door, OK?
- They're coming.
- Close the door.
- Coming!
Here we go.
- Noah, come on inside!
- Come on inside!
Everyone, inside!
Everyone, inside!
- They're coming. Come on in.
- Let's close the door.
- Lucius is outside, walking.
- They're coming.
He's inside safe somewhere!
Please, close the door!
He'll come back to make sure we're safe.
Ivy! lvy, please.
- Please.
- No.
Don't let them in.
Come on in.
By the markings we find
this morning on our homes...
...I feel they were warning us.
They acted as if threatened.
Creatures have never
attacked us without reason.
Does anyone here know of a reason...
...why these events may have occurred?
Who has written this note?
"Please read so that all may hear."
"I have brought this burden upon us."
"On the day before last,
I crossed the forbidden line
into Covington Woods..."
"...and was witnessed there
by Those We Don't Speak Of."
"I am deeply sorry."
"I have shamed myself and my family."
"I pray that my actions
will cause no further pains."
"With deepest sorrow, Lucius Hunt."
Is he in trouble?
Do not fret.
You are fearless in a way
that I shall never know.
We are grateful...
...for the time we have been given.
Yes. Yes, indeed.
Cheers.
I had an elder sister.
Mrs. Clack, you've been keeping secrets.
Oh, Kitty reminds me of her so.
What manner of person was she?
- Saucy.
- Oh.
And we fought endlessly.
May I ask her name?
Why did she not come
to Covington Woods?
My sister did not live
past her rd birthday.
A group of men took her life
in an alley by our home.
Please rise!
Come on.
She's not going to squeeze
my shirt like that, is she?
Many blessings
on this most joyous of days.
It was a rare and lovely ceremony,
was it not?
Glorious.
I saw your hand move to your eyes
on more than one occasion.
That must have been dust of some matter.
Mr. Walker!
- Mr. Walker!
- Mr. Walker!
Behind them.
How did she deal
with this brightness?
Help us out.
Where are
the rest of them?
Speak up.
- They're in the village.
- What?
They left more warnings.
They wish us to leave.
That cannot be.
One saw us.
It ran off into the darkness.
You are certain?
Can you boys stay close to lvy here?
She'll tell you some funny stories
and have you laughing soon.
We will go together.
Livestock has been taken
and skinned.
The hides and feathers are missing.
There are marks on the door
where it was opened.
The marks are high.
Coyotes cannot reach that height.
The elders are going to have
an inquiry tomorrow.
Each member of the village is to be
questioned in the meeting hall.
To see how
the border was breached?
Yes.
It is cold outside.
You ought to go in.
Why are you on this porch?
It is not safe.
There are other porches.
Do you find me too much of a tomboy?
I do long to do boy things...
...like that game
the boys play at the stump.
They put their backs to the woods,
and see how long they can wait
before getting scared.
That's so exciting.
I understand you hold the record.
It will never be broken, they say.
It's just children's games.
How is it you are brave when all
the rest of us shake in our boots?
I do not worry about what will happen,
only what needs to be done.
How did you know I was here?
I saw you out the window.
No...
...I won't tell you your color.
Stop asking.
When we are married,
will you dance with me?
I find dancing very agreeable.
Why can you not say what is in your head?
Why can you not stop saying
what is in yours?
Why must you lead, when I want to lead?
If I want to dance, I will ask you to dance.
If I want to speak,
I will open my mouth and speak.
Everyone is forever
plaguing me to speak further.
Why? What good is it to tell you
you are in my every thought
from the time I wake?
What good can come from my saying
l- I sometimes cannot think clearly,
or do my work properly?
What gain can rise from my telling you
the only time I feel fear as others do...
...is when I think of you in harm?
That is why I am on this porch, lvy Walker.
I fear for your safety before all others.
And, yes...
...I will dance with you
on our wedding night.
I had been to the storage shed
twice to fetch food
prior to the wedding ceremony.
And the livestock
was untouched at that time?
Yes, Mrs. Hunt.
All was as it should be.
Thank you, Beatrice.
I beg your pardon.
Is it true... about Lucius and lvy?
There are whispers all over the village.
We were informed early this morning
of their intentions.
It is amazing to witness
which two people love chooses to unite.
It follows no rules.
Kitty...
I wanted to speak with you first.
I would not want you to feel pain,
in any fashion.
You are my cherished one.
If you were to feel badly
about Lucius, I would not have it.
One love to sacrifice
another love is not right.
There is nothing you could do
that would sacrifice my love for you.
You are my cherished one as well.
God bless you and your life together.
What's happened?
Is this about lvy and myself?
I know you are very fond of her.
And I know she is fond of you.
There are different types of love.
Oh.
Oh, God.
Oh, lvy...
Noah?
You'll be late for the meeting hall. Would
you like your father to walk you there?
Noah?
Oh...
The bad... The bad color.
Oh...
The bad color, the bad color...
Mama!
- I beg your pardon.
- What is it?
There's been an accident.
Noah Percy was found with quarts
of blood upon his clothes and hands.
The blood was not his own,
and he will not speak as to whose it is.
God in heaven.
Ivy!
Is there anyone injured in here?
Has anyone
been hurt in this home?
Is anyone in here?
Is anyone hurt in this house?
...
...
Lucius?
Lucius Hunt!
You answer me right this moment!
Is anyone hurt in this house?
They're fine.
Mr. Walker!
Joseph!
Papa... I cannot see his color.
Ivy.
Come away. Come away.
Come away. Here, take her.
Take her.
No!
He has suffered a great deal.
He may pass at any time.
Please give him all your prayers
and good thoughts.
He will hear them.
Turn!
I am in love.
I know.
He is in love with me.
I know.
If he dies...
...all that is life to me will die with him.
I ask permission...
...to travel through Covington Woods...
...and go to the towns...
...to retrieve medicines...
...that may save...
...Lucius Hunt.
You are my father.
I will listen to you in all things.
I will trust your decision.
I've done what I can to close
the wounds. There's an infection.
What can be done to mend him?
We can only pray.
If there were no limitations,
what could be done?
Hmm?
What are you asking me?
Is there anything at all
that can be done to mend the boy?
Please, Victor. Would you be so kind
as to answer my question?
If the infection is contained,
he may still survive.
I must speak up.
You have a restless spirit.
I know the thing that is in your head.
You're thinking of going to the towns.
Tell me I'm wrong.
You have made an oath, Edward,
as all have, never to go back.
It is a painful bargain,
but no good can come without sacrifice.
These are your words I'm saying.
You cannot break the oath.
- It is sacred.
- It is a crime,
what has happened to Lucius.
You have taken the oath.
You and the rest of the elders...
Are you listening to me?
You...
...have taken the oath.
The moment I heard my daughter's
vision had finally failed her,
and that she would forever be blind,
I was sitting in that very chair.
I was so ashamed.
What do you know about your grandfather?
He was the wealthiest man in the towns?
That he was. He had a gift for that.
If he was given one dollar, in less than a
fortnight, he would have turned it into five.
You do not know of money.
It is not part of our life here.
Money can be a wicked thing.
It can turn men's hearts black -
good men's hearts.
My father could not see this.
For all his gifts,
he was a poor judge of a man's character.
Your grandfather was a good man, lvy.
He had a laugh that could
be heard three houses away.
He used to hold my hand as I hold yours.
He taught me strength
and showed me love,
and told me to lead
when others would only follow.
Your grandfather, James Walker,
died in his sleep.
A man put a gun to his head
and shot him while he dreamed.
I tell you this so you will understand
some of the reasons for my actions,
and...
...and the actions of others.
You are a strong one, lvy.
You lead when others would follow.
You see light
when there is only darkness.
I trust you.
I trust you among all others.
Thank you, Father.
Ivy, do you know where you are?
At the old shed that is not to be used.
Yeah.
- Ivy.
- Yes, Father?
Do your very best not to scream.
What?
I am leaving to fetch you medicines.
I had a difficult time getting away.
What is it?
lvy...
...has asked...
...to go to the towns...
...for medicines.
Christop.
Christop...
you needn't be scared.
We have the magic rocks.
They will keep us safe.
Why have we not heard
of these rocks before?
Christop, please.
Do not leave us.
There is nothing to fear.
Then why do you wear the cloak
of the safe color?
We will light torches.
It will be safe.
It is forbidden.
Christop.
Ivy...
there's something in these woods.
It turns my stomach to rot.
You will be safe. They will not harm you,
because you cannot see.
They will take pity on you,
the way they took pity on Noah
when... when he ventured in the woods.
They will kill me, lvy.
I cannot stay.
You're better in these woods
than most boys. Anyone would say so.
It is my burden, Finton.
- You may go.
- Come with me.
Do your very best not to scream.
There's an odd smell.
It is ahead of you.
What is it?
I cannot explain in words.
It is just a few steps.
- Those We Don't Speak Of!
- Do not be frightened.
It is only farce.
Do not be frightened.
There did exist rumors
of creatures in these woods.
It is in one of the history books
I used to teach in the towns.
The screams from the woods?
We created those sounds.
The Ceremony of Meat?
We remove it ourselves.
An elder is always assigned.
The drills -
they are farce, too?
We did not want anyone
to go to the towns, lvy.
What about the animals -
the skinned ones?
- Are the elders responsible for that, too?
- I believe one of the elders is responsible.
It will not happen again.
There is no one in this village
who has not lost someone irreplaceable,
who has not felt loss so deeply that they
questioned the very merit of living at all.
It is a darkness I wished...
...you would never know.
Forgive us our silly lies, lvy.
They were not meant to harm.
I am... sad for you, Papa.
For all the elders.
On this paper has been written
a tool of medicine.
It is common in the towns.
You will go... with two escorts.
Follow the sounds of the stream.
A half day's journey
will bring you to a hidden road.
At this hidden road, the two escorts
will wait as you continue.
You alone will follow the road...
...and leave Covington Woods.
You are to tell no one
in the towns where we are...
...and return with haste.
I cannot come with you.
You gave your heart to this boy.
He is in need.
Are you ready to take this burden,
which, by right,
is yours and yours alone?
I am making fresh cloths for Lucius.
He needs them.
Alice, I've sent for help.
I've sent lvy to the towns.
You cannot.
It is all that I can give you.
It is all that I can give you.
I accept.
- What have you done?
- He is the victim of a crime.
We have agreed never to go back. Never.
What was the purpose of our leaving?
Let us not forget it was out of hope
of something good and right.
You should not have made
decisions without us.
- You have gone too far.
- I'm guilty, Robert!
I made a decision of the heart.
I cannot look into another's eyes
and see the same look
I see in August's without justification!
It is too painful. I cannot bear it!
You have jeopardized
everything we've made.
Who do you think
will continue this place, this life?
Do you plan to live forever?
It is in them that our future lies.
It is in lvy and Lucius that
this... this way of life will continue.
Yes, I have risked! I hope I am always able
to risk everything
for the just and right cause.
If we did not make this decision, we could
never again call ourselves innocent.
And that, in the end, is what we
have protected here - innocence!
That, I'm not ready to give up.
Let her go.
If it ends, it ends.
We can move towards hope.
It's what's beautiful about this place.
We must not run from heartache.
You know, my brother
was slain in the towns.
The rest of my family died here.
Heartache is a part of life.
We know that now.
Ivy's running toward hope.
Let her run.
If this place is worthy,
she'll be successful in her quest.
How could you have sent her?
She's blind.
She's more capable
than most in this village...
...and she is led by love.
The world moves for love.
It kneels before it in awe.
All the world to see
Time to look about and know
How the shadows come and go
How the breeze stirs the trees
How the blossoms grow
Sleep, baby, sleep
Sleep, gently sleep
There did exist rumors
of creatures in these woods.
It is in one of the history books
I used to teach in the towns.
It is not real.
It is not real.
Noah?
- Oh, my God. What is this?
- What is this?
Where is he?
He found one of the suits
we kept under the floorboards.
Oh, no.
Oh, God.
The animals.
His will to live is very strong.
A half day's journey
will bring you to a hidden road.
You alone will follow the road...
...and leave Covington Woods.
You are to tell no one
in the towns where we are...
...and return with haste.
My sister did not live
past her rd birthday.
A group of men raped and killed her.
They stuffed her in a Dumpster...
three blocks from our apartment.
My brother worked
in an emergency room downtown.
A drug addict came in
with a wound to his ribs.
My brother tried to dress the wound.
He pulled a gun from his jacket...
...then he shot my brother
through his left eye.
My husband, Michael,
left for the supermarket
at a quarter past nine in the morning.
He was found
with no money and no clothes
in the East River, three days later.
My father was shot
by a business partner,
who then hanged himself
in my father's closet.
They had argued over money.
I am a professor.
I teach American History
at the University of Pennsylvania.
I have an idea...
...that I would like to talk to you about.
Mile - there's a girl.
I'm gonna check it out.
Be careful.
You're not allowed to go in there.
Please return to your vehicle.
What was that noise?
What are you doing out here?
How... how'd you get here?
Are you from the towns?
Uh...
Where are you from?
The woods.
You came from the woods?
In there?
Will you help me?
I need to find a doctor of medicine.
I must find these things.
We must make haste.
Listen, ma'am.
I'm just supposed to...
Is someone hurt?
Please, sir. We must make haste.
- Well, you... you live in there?
- I do, sir.
Breaker.
- What is your name?
- Kevin.
Kevin.
You have kindness in your voice.
I did not expect that.
We have guard shacks every ten miles
around the perimeter of the preserve.
We keep medical supplies in there
in case of animal bites or related injuries.
You can find the things
written on the paper?
Uh...
- You have to wait here.
- Please, sir.
Please... take this as payment.
Wait, y-you're not...
You're not tricking me, are you?
I do not understand.
What's your name?
lvy.
Ivy Elizabeth Walker.
There's an overturned tractor-trailer
causing a one-hour delay
at the Lincoln Tunnel.
The body of seven-year-old
Katrina Nelson was found today.
She'd been missing for three days.
Another soldiers died in combat
when a bomb exploded in their convoy.
It's degrees outside.
What's with the girl?
I tried calling you back on the walkie.
- You didn't answer.
- Oh, it was just some teenagers.
They were lost.
Can I give you some advice?
Don't get into conversations.
You start talkin', you start gettin' into
how some estate is payin' all of us,
and no one's allowed to go in there
and disturb the animal sanctuary.
People's interest gets piqued.
It's a really easy gig, Kevin.
Maintain and protect the border.
That's it. A few years ago,
it got out in the papers that some
government guys had been paid off
to keep plane routes
from flying over this place.
That was a very
stressful time for me.
Don't cause me any troubles.
Do not get into conversations.
Hey, Jay,
where's the maintenance ladder?
I n-need to fix a sign.
It's in the back.
Ivy has returned
with medicines from the towns.
She was attacked
by a creature and killed it.
Noah.
Oh, God.
We will find him.
We will give him...
...a proper burial.
We will tell the others...
...he was killed by the creatures.
Your son has made our stories real.
Noah has given us a chance
to continue this place...
...if that is something...
...we still wish for.
I'm back, Lucius.