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Scene Map 60
# PG SLUGLINE
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Scene Map
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# PG SLUGLINE
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EXT. RMS TITANIC DEPARTURE - DAY Stock footage of the Titanic’s departure from Southampton, followed by newspaper headlines chronicling the disaster. We see articles detailing the Titanic’s sinking and the Carpathia’s response to rescue survivors. The scene
2
INT. CARPATHIA BRIDGE - NIGHT Rostron turns to his first officer, HAROLD DEAN (30s). CAPTAIN ROSTRON Any word from the Titanic? HAROLD DEAN
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EXT. CARPATHIA DECK – DAWN The Carpathia reaches the debris field. Splintered wood and overturned lifeboats litter the sea, but Titanic herself is gone, swallowed by the ocean’s depths. LOOKOUT
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INT. CARPATHIA CHART ROOM – AFTERNOON Rostron meets with his senior officers. CAPTAIN ROSTRON We’ve done what we can. One final sweep before we head for New York.
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INT. SMALL OFFICE OVERLOOKING DOCKS – DAY CAPTAIN FREDERICK LARNDER (42) sits with a telegram in hand. The White Star Line has commissioned his ship, the Mackay- Bennett, to recover the Titanic’s dead. His first mate, SAMUEL O’CONNOR (30s), stands by the window, arms crossed.
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EXT. HALIFAX DOCKS – DAY The crew works tirelessly to load embalming fluids, coffins, ice, and canvas. Captain Larnder oversees the operation. A voice rises above the din. 10-YEAR-OLD BOY
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INT. MACKAY-BENNETT - AFTERNOON As the ship cuts through the rough Atlantic waters, the crew prepares for the grim mission ahead. Captain Larnder stands with Callahan, looking out at the sea. Callahan hands him a flask of whiskey.
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EXT. MACKAY-BENNETT – DAY The ship prepares to depart Halifax. Eleanor stands on the deck, her notebook clutched in one gloved hand, the pencil poised but unmoving. The sky was an endless gray, promising rough seas ahead. She watches the crew.
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INT. GALLEY – DAY In the galley, Eleanor sits at a corner table with a steaming cup of tea. She is sketching a rough diagram of the ship, labeling areas for future reference in her article. Across the room, Michael Callahan enters, shaking off the cold and
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EXT. SHIP’S BOW-MORNING Dawn breaks over a restless sea, the Mackay-Bennett enters the outer edges of the debris field. The horizon is dotted with ghostly fragments of icebergs, their jagged edges illuminate in pale gold by the rising sun. Smaller chunks of
11
EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-DAY By mid-morning, the Mackay-Bennett anchors just outside the densest part of the debris field. The crew lowers skiffs into the water, their oars cut through the frigid waves as they approach the first signs of wreckage—a splintered lifeboat
12
INT. MORGUE-LATE AFTERNOON Captain Larnder enters the makeshift morgue which is filling quickly. The recovered bodies are categorized—first-class passengers embalmed and placed in coffins, second-class wrapped in canvas, and third-class or crew buried at sea. The
13
INT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-MORNING The second signs of the Titanic’s remains are subtle—small fragments of wood bobbing on the waves, a torn piece of white canvas draped over a floating chunk of debris. Captain Larnder orders the engines slow as the Mackay-Bennett
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INT. BELOW DECK-DAY The ship’s cable hold that had been converted into a temporary morgue contained wooden coffins lining one wall. Another section holds canvas-wrapped bodies awaiting burial at sea. The air is thick with the sharp scent of embalming
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-NIGHT As the sun dips below the horizon, the crew gathers on the deck for a brief respite. The air is heavy with the weight of the day’s work, and conversations are hushed. Captain Larnder addresses the men, his voice carrying over
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EXT.DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT- MID-DAY The Mackay-Bennett enters a world of ice. Great floating slabs, jagged and gleaming, bob in the frigid waters. Smaller bergs, no bigger than barrels, mingle with chunks of debris from the Titanic. The ship moves cautiously, its engines
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INT. BELOW DECK-MACKAY-BENNETT-DAY Below deck, Captain Frederick Larnder and First Mate Michael Callahan poured over the charts, their faces illuminated by the glow of a single oil lamp. The faint hum of the ship’s engines underscore their low voices.
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INT. MORGUE-NIGHT Below deck, the makeshift morgue is nearly full, the air thick with the scent of embalming fluid and sawdust. Callahan stands near the entrance, his arms crossed as he watches the crew arrange the coffins.
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INT. ELEANOR'S CABIN-NIGHT Eleanor sits alone in her cabin, her notebook open before her. The words she has written feels hollow, inadequate to capture the enormity of what she had witnessed. She stares at the page, her mind replaying the images of lifeless faces and
20
INT. U.S. CONGRESS-DAY The hearing room is packed to capacity. Rows of men and women fill the gallery, their faces a blend of curiosity, outrage, and grief. At the center of the room sit Senator William ALDEN SMITH, 50-something, a stern figure whose gaze seem
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INT. PRIVATE CHAMBER OF CONGRESS-DAY Representatives of the White Star Line huddle together, their faces grim. J. BRUCE ISMAY, 49-years-old, the line’s managing director and one of the most controversial survivors of the disaster, paced back and forth.
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INT. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-DAY In Parliament, voices are raised in anger. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT How can we call ourselves a maritime power if we allow such
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INT. CHAMBER BRITISH BOARD OF TRADE-DAY In a chamber as stately as it was somber, the British Board of Trade opens its inquiry into the Titanic disaster. The room, adorned with portraits of maritime pioneers, is filled with the weight of history and the urgent necessity for
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INT. CONGRESSIONAL HEARING- DAY The atmosphere inside grows tense as Ismay takes the stand. Dressed impeccably, his demeanor is a mix of defiance and regret. He faces a barrage of questions about the ship’s speed, the inadequate number of lifeboats, and his own
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-MORNING The sea has grown mercilessly cold as the Mackay-Bennett moves deeper into the Atlantic’s heart. The grim work of recovery continues, but exhaustion had begun to take its toll. The crew moves slower now, their spirits dampen by the
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-LATE-AFTERNOON The crew prepares for another burial at sea, Eleanor receives a telegram from Franklin Avery. The ship’s wireless operator handed it to her with a knowing smile. WIRELESS OPERATOR
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INT. ELEANOR'S CABIN-NIGHT Eleanor sits at a small desk in her cramped quarters, writing by the dim light of an oil lamp. Her hands tremble as she works, the weight of the past days pressing down on her shoulders. There is a knock at the door and she answers it.
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-MORNING Later that morning, the crew gathers on the deck for another burial at sea. Captain Larnder stands at the helm, his hat clutched tightly in his hands. CANON HIND, the ship’s chaplain, begins reciting Psalm 23, his voice steady despite
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EXT. HALIFAX DOCKS-DAY The docks of Halifax are a somber spectacle as the Mackay- Bennett makes her approach, the ship’s black hull cutting through the harbor waters. News of her return has spread quickly, and a crowd gathers along the waterfront, their
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EXT. STREETS OF HALIFAX-AFTERNOON Halifax itself has transformed in the wake of the Titanic tragedy. Hotels and boarding houses are filled with grieving families, and local businesses offer support in any way they can. Eleanor walks the streets, speaking with people whose
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EXT. HARBOR CAFE-NIGHT Eleanor sits at a small table. Michael Callahan joins her. MICHAEL CALLAHAN I’ve read some of your articles. You’ve done good work, Eleanor.
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EXT. SHIP'S BOW-MORNING The days aboard the Mackay-Bennett blur into an exhausting cycle of grim recovery and solemn rituals. Yet, in the midst of the ship's relentless mission, a fragile sense of humanity persisted among the crew.
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INT. GALLEY-NIGHT Eleanor finds Michael in the galley, repairing a torn section of rope. She approaches hesitantly, her curiosity outweighs her fatigue. ELEANOR GRANT
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INT. GALLEY-DAY Eleanor is sipping a cup of coffee in the galley as she is handed another telegram from Franklin. She opens and begins to read. ELEANOR GRANT (V.O.)
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-DAWN (CONT’D) From the deck of the Mackay-Bennett, Eleanor continues to watch the scene unfold through the lens of her camera. Her hands shake as she captures the grim tableau, the click of the shutter cutting through the mournful quiet.
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EXT. BOW AREA - NIGHT Eleanor finds Michael alone near the railing, staring out at the dark waves. She approaches cautiously, carrying a flask of tea. ELEANOR GRANT
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EXT. SKIFF-DAY MICHAEL CALLAHAN (Shouting) Over there! He points to a cluster of floating debris. As they draw closer, the stillness of the scene is shattered by the sight
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EXT. STERN-NIGHT That evening, Eleanor finds Michael sitting alone near the stern, a flask in his hand. She hesitates before approaching, her own emotions raw from the day’s events. ELEANOR GRANT
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INT. ELEANOR'S CABIN-DAY The next morning, Eleanor receives another telegram from Franklin Avery. His words are concise but carries the weight of the inquiry’s revelations as she reads to herself. ELEANOR GRANT (V.O.)
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INT. PARLIAMENT CHAMBER-DAY The inquiry chamber is unusually quiet as the next witness is announced. A murmur sweeps through the gallery when the name is read aloud. STEFAN NOVAK, late twenties with sunken eyes and
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INT. ELEANOR'S CABIN-MORNING Eleanor answers her cabin’s door where the wireless operator hands her another telegram from Franklin. She reads it while transferring it to her notebook. ELEANOR GRANT
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INT. GALLEY-DAY Eleanor is sitting at a small table when the wireless operator arrives again. WIRELESS OPERATOR You are a very popular person Miss
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-EARLY EVENING Eleanor sits on a crate, her notebook balanced on her knee as she scribbles hurried notes. Across from her, Michael stands, leaning against the railing, a bottle of whiskey dangling from his hand. His face is obscured in the dim light, but his
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-MORNING The sky hangs heavy with gray. The sea mirrors the heavens, churning in restless peaks that makes the Mackay-Bennett sway and groan like a creature straining under its own weight. The day has begun with a biting wind that promised worse weather
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INT. BELOW DECK-MACKAY-BENNETT-DAY Below deck, Michael paces the length of the makeshift morgue, his boots echo against the metal floor. The scent of embalming fluid and sawdust hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the faint, salty tang of the sea. Rows of coffins line
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-DAY Eleanor’s resolve to stay on deck soon leads her to the edge of the skiffs. She leans out, trying to catch a glimpse of a shadow beneath the waves—a possible body. The wind whips her hair across her face, and the ship tilts slightly as a wave
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INT. ELEANOR'S CABIN-AFTERNOON Eleanor sits in her cabin, her notebook open on the desk. She writes furiously ELEANOR GRANT (V.O.) Today we experienced the worst
48
INT. WHEEL HOUSS AND DECK-DAY The ship Minia’s silhouette grows larger on the horizon as the Mackay-Bennett’s crew gathers at the railing. Their faces bear a mix of exhaustion and curiosity, the sight of another vessel brings a fleeting sense of relief. The bitter Atlantic
49
EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-MORNING (CONT) As soon as the Minia is secure, CAPTAIN WILLIAM DeCARTERET, 50-something, steps onto the deck of the Mackay-Bennett. His coat is buttoned tightly against the wind, his hat pulled low. He extends a gloved hand to Captain Larnder, who clasps
50
EXT. SKIFF FROM MINIA-DAY Meanwhile, on the Minia, THOMAS CLARKE, 20-something, peers over the side of a skiff as it approaches a cluster of debris. The sea is deceptively calm, the water glinting under a pale sun. Among the wreckage floats a tangle of lifeboat
51
EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-MORNING On the deck of the Mackay-Bennett, Larnder and DeCarteret watch the Minia’s crew work from the bridge. DeCarteret’s jaw tightens as he observes the retrieval, his hands clenche behind his back.
52
EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-MORNING Eleanor stands at the railing, her notebook tucked into her coat pocket, her hands grip the cold steel of the ship's guardrail. She has been standing there for hours, lost in the vastness of the ocean, her mind replaying the scenes of the
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INT. ELEANOR'S CABIN-LATE AFTERNOON. Eleanor was writing in her notebook when she heard in the corridor a sailer inform the captain of another group of bodies being found. She looks at her notebook and writes. ELEANOR GRANT (V.O.)
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INT. MESS HALL-EVENING Eleanor sits at a table alone drinking a cut of tea gathering her thoughts on what to write in her notebook. She sees Dr.Hayes and motions him to join her. ELEANOR GRANT
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EXT. DECK-MID MORNING MONTAGE: The relentless hum of the engines beneath her feet has become almost like a constant presence in Eleanor’s mind. Day after day, the Mackay-Bennett moves forward, its journey both
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EXT. DECK OF MACKAY-BENNETT-LATE-AFTERNOON The weather has taken a turn for the worse. The winds have picked up, whipping against the Mackay-Bennett as it plowed forward through the rough waves. A thick mist rolls in, dampening everything in its path.
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INT.ELEANOR’S CABIN-EVENING Eleanor returns to her cabin and notebook. She writes: ELEANOR GRANT (V.O.) The faces of the dead—they won’t leave me. The bodies, the way
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EXT. BOW OF THE SHIP-MORNING Eleanor gazes out over the water and hears Michael coming towards her. His steps are quicker than usual as with a purposeful. He doesn’t say anything as he reaches her side, only standing next to her, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
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EXT./INT. HALIFAX DOCKS-DAY (Captains quarters) The Mackay-Bennett anchors at the dock, but before stepping off the ship, Captain Larnder retreats to his cabin for a final moment of reflection.
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EXT. BOW OF MACKAY-BENNETT-MORNING Eleanor stands at the bow, the cool sea breeze tousling her hair. A small crowd has gathered on the shore, their faces a blur of curiosity and quiet anticipation. Behind her, Michael approaches, his boots ringing softly on

Mackay-Bennett Ship of the Dead

After the sinking of the Titanic, a journalist and a sailor are tasked with recovering the bodies of the victims, confronting the emotional toll of their grim mission.

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Overview

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Unique Selling Point

This screenplay stands out for its unique perspective on a historical tragedy, focusing not just on the disaster itself but on the human stories of those tasked with recovery. It combines historical accuracy with emotional resonance, making it compelling for audiences interested in both history and human drama.

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Claude
 Consider
Gemini
 Recommend
GPT4
 Recommend
Story Facts

Genres: Drama, Historical, Tragedy, Historical Drama

Setting: Early 20th century, specifically 1912, Atlantic Ocean, primarily aboard the RMS Mackay-Bennett and in Halifax, Canada

Themes: Loss and Grief, Social Injustice and Class Divisions, The Limitations of Human Control, The Search for Meaning and Purpose, Human Connection and Resilience, Justice and Accountability

Conflict & Stakes: The emotional struggle of the characters as they confront the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, with the stakes being the dignity of the deceased and the psychological toll on the recovery crew.

Mood: Somber and reflective, filled with a sense of grief and duty.

Standout Features:

  • Unique Hook: The focus on the recovery efforts and the emotional toll on the crew, rather than just the sinking itself.
  • Character Development: The evolving relationship between Eleanor and Michael, highlighting themes of connection amidst tragedy.
  • Historical Context: The screenplay provides a detailed look at the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, including class disparities in the recovery process.

Comparable Scripts: Titanic (1997), A Night to Remember (1958), The Perfect Storm (2000), The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson, The Sea (2005) by John Banville, The Light Between Oceans (2016), The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Revenant (2015), The Sinking of the Laconia (2011)

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Overall Score: 7.75
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