revised script...for now..

This is the script when I last wrote it out. I have spoken to tutor Andy since this and will. most probably be making changes, particularly to the ending, and am hoping to speak to another tutor tomorrow where more changes are likely to be made...but this is it...for now...

Beneath the Boughs

EXT. ON THE TOP OF A HILL LOOKING OVER AND OLD ENGLISH LANDSCAPE BC – DAY

After setting the scene we focus in on a young Celtic man planting a small twig-like plant. He pats it into the ground and walks off into the distance. Focusing on the plant the camera pans up with it as it grows, passing it to end on the sun. The screen whites out. As it resumes focus branches can be seen moving. The camera then pans back down what is now a huge tree trunk right to the ground, with an old church built behind it. The camera pans back to the view which has now developed into a small village. It is now around 1850.

EXT. BY THE TREE NOW IN 1850-ISH

A stag slowly walks it way towards the tree grazing. Reaching the tree the stag gets his antler stuck in the bark, so tries to jump and shake to free himself. Hearing a noise he frantically manages to free himself. He then pricks his ears up and looks around before running off into the distance. A group of WW1 soldiers march past the other more open side of the tree. Past the tree, others can be seen falling to the ground as men are cutting them down and transporting them towards the village on a horse pulled carriage.

In fast speed the camera focuses on the landscape as the village builds up into a town. The number of houses, buildings, factories, roads increases.

EXT. FROM A HIGH POV ALMOST FROM THE HIGHEST TREE BRANCHES LOOKING DOWN TOWARDS THE GRASS IN FRONT 1900ISH

Two gentlemen are standing in front of the tree looking out at the landscape, holding clipboards and making plans to build a railway. Zooming out we realise the viewpoint is from a squirrel sat high up in the branches of the tree. The camera follows I as it scrambles its way down and around the tree to the base where it sits and nibbles at a nut.
In fast speed the camera focuses on the landscape as it builds up, more trees disappear, more housing and factory style buildings pop up along with the previously planned railway.

EXT. AT THE BASE OF THE TREE 1940ISH

A mother and her two children walk up towards the tree planning to sit and picnic beneath its branches. The mother begins to lay out the blanket and basket as the children run around playing. They stop suddenly hearing a sound and look up towards the tree to see a man and a parachute caught up in the tree. The camera focuses on the little boy running around oblivious, pretending to fly a toy plane. The camera focuses in on the toy plane as a real bomber flies right over the top of them swooping down over the city dropping bombs. The mother gathers the children and runs away. The camera shows the city in ruins below smoke bellowing up, buildings and communication lines ruined. The pilot scrambles out of the tree and runs towards the city.

In fast speed the city below is sorted out and rebuilt in a much more modern style, spreading even farther with housing and buildings spreading closer to the tree and edge of the forest.
EXT. NEAR TO THE TREE 1960ISH

The camera pans down the great tree with a very autumn feel to the scene. A dog and its owner walk past and the dog stops to wee up the tree. Men in high-visibility jackets walk up to the tree from the town making plans, looking out at the view and having a discussion, they mark the tree and leave.

EXT. NEXT EARLY MORNING NEAR THE TREE 1965ish

A group of hippies climb the hill with ropes and boards. They walk up to the tree, stop and look at it before standing around it and climbing up into its branches and waiting. The men in high-visibility jackets return and are startled at the hippies sitting in the tree. There is a slight standoff between the main hippie leader and the man before the men in high-vis turn and walk away with the hippies celebrating.

In fast speed the focusing on the landscape more buildings, flats and high-rise buildings as well as cars pop up, the city starts to gain smog over it.

EXT. EVENING NEAR TO THE TREE 1980ish

A group of young climb their way up the hill start a fire nearby the tree and set up camp for the night watching fireworks going off over the city.
In fast speed again the city builds up even further.

EXT. WINTER TIME NEAR THE TREE2002ISH

A couple walk up to the tree, stop and look out at the view. The man is a soldier and is saying goodbye to his wife. He hands her a note. Close up on this note there is a drawn heart on it. The soldier walks away and the woman leans against the tree whilst the wintry sun goes down.
As it gets dark a small magical shape can be seen crossing the sky in the distance.
In fast speed the focusing on the landscape more buildings and housing is built right up to the edge of the forest.

EXT. STORMY EVENING

As a thunder storm starts overhead the tree is struck with lightning. As the storm ends you see the tree looking worse for wear.
In fats speed the camera focuses on the tree and people can be seen busying around it. The camera pans out to the view.

EXT. STILL HOLDING THE VIEW THE LAST SCENE ENDED ON BUT SUMMER TIME.

The woman seen previously walks up the tree looking around expectantly. Disappointed at not seeing anyone there she notices the tree having been ruined and rebuilt with a staircase all around it. She walks up closer to the bottom stair when she notices a drawn heart on the bark. She walks up the stairs to the viewing platform at the top where her soldier is sitting. The couple embrace and the camera zooms in on the view of the landscape from the top of the tree.

END