Marauders Screenplay REVISED

MARAUDERS
One-liner
In 1944, a rag-tag American force of combat veterans, new
recruits, and ill-disciplined renegades embark on a secret
campaign into the jungles of Burma where they face disease,
starvation, and a ferocious enemy.
Synopsis
It is late 1943 and Japan is on the march in Southeast Asia,

its armies moving aggressively to cut-off Allied forces in
China and advance into India and Burma. To turn the tide,
the US military forms a unique combat unit made up of
American volunteers from around the world. Their mission:
infiltrate Burma and use brutal guerilla tactics to harass
and destroy a superior Japanese force. Thousands of soldiers
join up including hardened veterans of Guadalcanal, green
recruits from the US, and malcontents cast out of their home
units.
After months of training and raising hell in colonial India,

the unit--dubbed “Merrill’s Marauders,” after their
commander--enter Burma in February 1944. Immediately, the
Marauders launch daring raids behind enemy lines, shattering
Japanese units and seizing key roads. They are aided by
native Kachin militias supported by the Office of Strategic
Services (OSS), the forerunner of the CIA. However, the
Japanese then move to eliminate the irritant, unleashing
relentless banzai attacks and artillery barrages. The
running battles culminate in an Alamo-esque siege during
which starving Marauders held off thousands of Japanese
soldiers for weeks. Battered by a skilled foe, rampant
disease, and hunger, the Marauders survive, united by a
powerful esprit de corps and the unbreakable bonds that form
between men in combat.
Despite promises from the generals, the Marauder’s mission

did not end there. With few supplies, the Marauders are
tasked with climbing a mountain range and seizing a key
Japanese base, a mission considered impossible by observers.
The ensuing trek, bloody battles, and eventual victory
cemented the legend of Merrill’s Marauders. In six months,
the force travelled through 750 miles of jungle, fought over
30 battles, and suffered a catastrophic 90% casualty rate.
2.
The Unit
The story focuses on one Intelligence and Reconnaissance

(I&R) platoon, a force of roughly 50 men charged with
screening the Marauders’ advance. This responsibility brings
the platoon into regular combat with the Japanese and
exposes them to every rigor of jungle warfare. Its
membership reflects the wide-variety of skill sets and
backgrounds found within the Marauders.
They include primary protagonist Private Joseph Graham and

his friend Alex Velez, young recruits escaping boredom and
gambling debts. Others like Lieutenant Charles Egan,
Sergeant Paul Kurtz, and Japanese-American Sergeant Ray
Namuro bring extensive combat experience to the platoon.
Finally, Private Peter Vita joins right out of a military
prison, his hatred of authority and aptitude for violence a
perfect fit for the wild unit. These men are unified by the
shared threat and challenges they face. As the campaign
progresses, their numbers, endurance, and sanity are eroded
by the impossible tasks levied upon them by senior
commanders.
The Enemy
In Burma, the Marauders engage in numerous savage battles

with the Japanese Army’s 18th Division. Veterans of the Rape
of Nanking, the conquest of Burma, and Guadalcanal, the 18th
—known as the Chrysanthemum Division—was feared throughout
Asia for their brutality and fanatic bravery. Led by skilled
officers including Colonel Takehiro Tanaka, the Japanese
resist the Marauders with skill and tenacity, highlighting
the impossible bravery of the Japanese soldier in World War
II.
3.
“MARAUDERS”
11/11/2020
4.
FADE IN:
EXT. BURMESE SWAMP - AFTERNOON
The vast green Burmese jungle is WARPED by the searing

afternoon heat. Two US soldiers lay concealed in the high
grass of a swamp, their ragged uniforms washed out by the
sun. Private JOSEPH GRAHAM (20), once boyishly handsome but
now gaunt, stares down the sights of his M-1 RIFLE, his
vision blurred by exhaustion and sweat.
Super title: BURMA, APRIL 1944
Graham’s breathing is labored and he struggles to grip his

weapon. Graham hears Japanese and spots a column of JAPANESE
SOLDIERS emerging from the jungle approaching his position.
He glances to his left at Private ALEX VELEZ (21), a sickly
Mexican-American who has fallen asleep in the mud.
GRAHAM (whispering)
Alex...Alex...
Frustrated by his failure to wake Velez, Graham

reestablishes his aim on the Japanese, just a few hundred
feet away.
He aims at the head of the Japanese column and pulls the

TRIGGER - CRACK.
EXT. CAMP DAVIS - DAY
Hundreds of TROOPS run and march in formation through CAMP

DAVIS’ dirt roads, their songs and cadences echoing off the
surrounding hills. Red-roofed cement barracks dot the
landscape. Jeeps and other military vehicles park outside a
neat two-story headquarters building.
Super title: CAMP DAVIS, TENNESSEE, SEPTEMBER 1943
INT. CAMP HEADQUARTERS - OFFICE - DAY
A dozen clerks work diligently on typewriters in a busy

military office. The CLICK-CLACK is deafening. Private
Graham types at his desk laden with forms and paperwork. A
CONTINUED:
5.
clerk, Private WASHINGTON (20), young and amiable,

approaches.
WASHINGTON
Joe, I’m waiting on those transfer reports for 2nd
Regiment.
GRAHAM
Typing them up now, give me a minute.
WASHINGTON
When you’re done, just bring ‘em to Colonel
Landry.
GRAHAM
Got it, on the way.
Graham furiously finishes the report and pushes it into a

file. He rushes to Colonel Landry’s--
OFFICE
He opens the door.
GRAHAM
Sir, I have those reports.
Graham is met with silence. Colonel LANDRY (50), portly,

soft, and disheveled, is dozing in his chair, a half-
finished glass of bourbon on his desk.
GRAHAM (awkwardly)
Oh, sorry sir..uh.
Landry stirs and attempts to disguise his drunkenness.
LANDRY (upset)
Didn’t I tell you to knock Private!?
GRAHAM
Apologies, sir, but I know you asked for these
transfer reports, and..
CONTINUED: (2)
6.
LANDRY
Asked for ‘em two hours ago Private Grimm, or
whatever your name is! Give ‘em here and get out!
Graham dumps the file on the desk and leaves, carefully

closing the door. He returns to his --
DESK
WASHINGTON
Get dressed down in there?
GRAHAM
The CO was sleeping. It’s 1pm...what time did he
start?
Graham makes a drinking motion with his hand.
WASHINGTON
9, 10, same as always.
GRAHAM (exasperated)
How does..
Colonel Landry flings his door open, file in hand. Graham

and Washington fly to attention.
LANDRY (angry)
Grimm, what the hell is this? Piss poor
organization, can’t make heads or tells of this
shit! Rewrite it by tomorrow morning or you’ll be
scrubbing latrines!
GRAHAM
Yes sir! Sorry sir!
Landry returns to his office, grumbling incoherently. Graham

faces Washington.
GRAHAM (whispering)
It’s bull, I did it just the way he asked. Bastard
probably forgot.
CONTINUED: (3)
7.
WASHINGTON
You know how it is, he’ll probably wake up around
supper and pat you on the back.
GRAHAM
Old man should be put out to pasture.
WASHINGTON
For sure. Anyway, chow hall?
INT. CAMP CAFETERIA - DAY
Graham and Washington wait in line with their trays.
GRAHAM
I don’t know how much of this I can take. A year
in the army and all I’ve done is take flak from a
rummy with Colonel’s wings. Meanwhile, these guys
are getting ready to storm Berlin.
WASHINGTON
Ah cheer up, you’re in a good spot. Typing a
report beats getting shot up. And you got your
family close by. Lots of guys would kill for that.
GRAHAM
I’m not looking for a good spot, I’m looking to do
something. And cleaning the latrine for Landry
doesn’t count.
Ahead of them, Tech Sergeant CALLAHAN (40) turns around,

having overheard Graham’s remark.
GRAHAM (embarrassed)
Oh...sorry Sergeant Callahan.
CALLAHAN
Never mind private, I’ve known Colonel Landry for
a long time and I could say a lot worse. What you
were getting at before, that you want a real
assignment. I might have an opportunity for you,
if you’re serious.
CONTINUED:
8.
GRAHAM
Very serious sergeant.
CALLAHAN
Alright, see me after lunch.
Callahan returns to the line. Washington nudges Graham.
WASHINGTON
Looks like you might get to Berlin after all.
INT. SGT. CALLAHAN’S OFFICE - DAY
Graham knocks on the door frame of Callahan’s office.
GRAHAM
Sergeant Callahan?
CALLAHAN
Private Graham, come in. We got a notice from the
War Department calling for men willing to
undertake a hazardous combat mission. No further
details.
Callahan passes Graham an official typed memo.
CALLAHAN
Sounds hush hush. Anyway, heard you talking and
thought you might fit the bill. Well-put together,
smart head on your shoulders. They ship out soon,
so if you want it, I’ll need your answer by
tomorrow.
GRAHAM
You don’t have to wait for my answer sergeant, I
want it.
CALLAHAN
Just like that?
GRAHAM
Just like that.
CONTINUED:
9.
CALLAHAN
Ok Private, I’ll pass the word up.
EXT. GRAHAM HOUSE - EVENING
Graham rides his bike down a rural dirt road. The Graham
house is modest and situated on a lush acre of farmland.
Graham’s infirm MOTHER (60) sits on the porch and waves,
weakly. He kisses her.
GRAHAM
Evening mom.
MOM
Hello Joseph. Your father is putting dinner on the
table.
Graham wheels his chair bound mother into the --
DINING ROOM
He finds his wise and friendly FATHER (65) ladling stew into
bowls. The family takes their seats.
FATHER
Hope you had a good day in camp?
GRAHAM
Usual, lots of typing. I’m getting strong hands
working on those Remingtons.
Father smiles and the family joins hands to say a short

grace.
FATHER
Dear heavenly father, thank you for this bounty.
Please watch over our son and his brother Thomas
as they serve their country. Amen.
FAMILY (together)
Amen.
CONTINUED:
10.
FATHER
Speaking of Thomas, we received a letter from him
today. Sounds like he is enjoying his time in
England.
GRAHAM
Well, with that extra paratrooper pay, he’d better
be.
MOTHER
Goodness, just that word “paratrooper” troubles
me. The idea of your brother jumping out of an
aeroplane…
FATHER
Please Mary, don’t think on it.
GRAHAM (joking)
Hard for me to say anything nice about Tommy, but
he is brave, I’ll say that.
Mother attempts to comport herself as Father rubs her

shoulder.
GRAHAM (hesitant)
Pop, mom, I have to mention something.
Earlier...at camp...I volunteered for a new
assignment. Overseas.
Father abruptly stops eating.
FATHER
Can you tell us more about that, son?
GRAHAM
Actually I can’t pop.
Father looks angrily into Graham’s eyes.
FATHER
I’m sorry Mary, but I’d like to speak to Joseph on
the porch.
CONTINUED: (2)
11.
Father kisses mother on the cheek and the two men step out
onto the faintly lit--

PORCH
FATHER (agitated)
How many times have we discussed this? With Tom
overseas and your mother’s heart, we need you
here!
GRAHAM (defensive)
I can’t do it anymore pop, I can’t sit at a desk.
Not when men are fighting!
FATHER
And dying, son. That’s if they’re lucky...the
things I saw in the last war, what these weapons
do... I saw strong men ruined in those trenches,
and I haven’t had a peaceful night’s sleep since.
GRAHAM
Pop, it’s not your decision, it’s mine.
FATHER (angry)
It is, and IT’S A GODDAMN FOOLISH ONE!
Father attempts to lower his voice, concerned with upsetting

Mother.
FATHER
There are plenty of safe places where a smart boy
like you can make a real difference. Now..
GRAHAM
I want something that matters pop. Something real.
Both men pause and Father lowers his head.
FATHER
Not what I want for you son.
GRAHAM
I know pop.
CONTINUED: (3)
12.
Father turns and leans on the railing, staring into the

twilight.
FATHER (emotional)
I remember feeling the same way. When I was young,
if you didn’t sign up, folks spit on you. All the
parades, training, it made me feel 10 feet tall.
But I’ve seen how this goes son, and I can’t bear
the thought of you…
Father wipes a tear from his face.
FATHER
I’m proud of you son. We raised you right, taught
you how to think for yourself. This is an awful
decision. But it’s yours.
Father turns to face his son.
FATHER
Now, let’s go talk with your mother. That’ll
probably be tougher than anything you face over
there.
EXT. THE PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO - DAY
Graham sits on the deck of a large military CARGO SHIP

birthed in San Francisco Bay, the city’s skyline in the
distance. Below, thousands of laborers and several CRANES
load the ship with equipment. Hundreds of servicemen line up
to board. The ship disembarks, leaving under the Golden Gate
bridge on a picturesque sunny day.
SOLDIER (Southern accent)

Damn, you read about the big cities, but it’s
something else to see ‘em. Like a damn beehive.
GRAHAM
Never saw so much gear in my life. At least we’ll
never run out of ammo.
INT. CARGO SHIP

13.
Below deck, dozens of soldiers sit in their bunks or on the

floor, smoking, wrestling, and playing craps and poker. They
are a rowdy and diverse bunch.
Graham is playing poker with four other soldiers including

Private ALEX VELEZ, (21) a stocky, happy-go-lucky Mexican-
American who exudes good times.
VELEZ
There you go there you go, three of a kind. Thanks
boys!
Velez reaches into the pot and collects his winnings.
GRAHAM
Hold on - three tens.
The men whistle as Graham reveals his hand, a slight smile

on his face.
VELEZ
Damn Joe, if I had your luck I wouldn’t be in this
unit. Where’d you learn cards in Tennessee anyway?
Thought it was all corn fields.
GRAHAM
Farmhands play a lot of poker, taught me well.
How’d you figure it was bad luck that put you
here?
VELEZ
You boys will like this one. I join the National
Guard in 42, working airfields around San Anton.
Nothing to do except load trucks and play poker.
So, we have a big pot going, and I’m riding a hot
streak. I say hey, I’ll put my grandmother’s
diamond ring in this one! Turns out this staff
sergeant, six foot tall shit-kicking cowboy from
Dallas, had a straight.
SOLDIER
That’s a tough one.
CONTINUED:
14.
VELEZ
Especially since my grandmother couldn’t afford no
real diamond. And this sergeant, he wasn’t the
type you welched on. So I asked my NCO if he had a
spot for me outside Texas and he said sure do.
Hopped a train right before the cowboy could bash
my head in. And here I am.
The soldiers chuckle.
SOLDIER
You’re a jinx Velez. When we get over there, make
sure you’re not in my foxhole.
VELEZ
Ah, you’re breaking my heart pal. Besides, when we
get there, good chance your lousy ass will run at
the first shot.
GRAHAM
Alright alright, enough jawing. Deal again.
EXT. CARGO SHIP DECK - DAY
Hundreds of GIs mull about on the deck, dwarfed by the

endless blue of the PACIFIC. The sun is high and warms the
men, many of whom go shirtless. Graham sits next to Velez
with a book on his lap.
VELEZ
Never been in an ocean before. Looks like it goes
on forever.
GRAHAM
Growing up, I read all the pirate books, Treasure
Island. Moby Dick. Something else to see it
though.
VELEZ
Hear anything about where we’re going? I heard the
Philippines.
GRAHAM
Nothing solid.
CONTINUED:
15.
Graham surveys the men, who are conversing and clearing

weapons.
GRAHAM
Doesn’t seem to matter much to these guys. As long
as there’s action and Japs to kill, they seem
happy.
VELEZ
And far away enough so cops and ex-wives can’t get
to you.
GRAHAM (smirking)
Yeah, that too.
EXT. SYDNEY HARBOR - DAY
The ship berths in a sun-drenched Sydney harbor and takes on

hundreds of new GIs. One of them, Lieutenant CHARLES EGAN
(28), a crisp, WASP-ish, professional officer, stops on
the--
DECK
He talks to Graham, who is reading Ernest Hemingway’s “Man

of War.”
EGAN (smiling)
Didn’t know any of the troopers in this unit could
read. How’s that book Private?
GRAHAM
Sir, uh, it’s good so far. My father was a
teacher, so we always had books around.
EGAN
I can relate, mine was a professor, European
history. When I was holed up in the hospital after
Guadalcanal, those things kept me going. Where are
you from private?
CONTINUED:
16.
GRAHAM
Tennessee, sir.
EGAN
What brought you this way?
GRAHAM
Got sick of sitting at a desk sir. Wanted to do my
part.
EGAN (smiling)
Well Private Graham, you’re going to get your
opportunity. Trust me.
EXT. BOMBAY, INDIA - DAY
The ship comes to port in Bombay, India. The waterfront is a

frenetic hive of activity, with Indian laborers, traders,
merchants, and British soldiers milling about. Children run
in the streets, teasing the newly-arrived GIs, who are
haggling for trinkets and whiskey in the open-air MARKETS.
Others sit at outdoor bars and take swigs from dirty bottles
and brawl with British constables, who swing canes to keep
order.
Super title: BOMBAY, INDIA OCTOBER 1943
Graham and Velez sheepishly navigate the throngs of locals

and soldiers. They come upon several GIs gathered in a large
circle of spectators, many of whom are trading bets on a
COBRA FIGHT.
VELEZ
Let me get in on this action. Five on the cobra!
The crowd roars as the HISSING snakes duel. The cobra lunges
and kills its competitor, prompting Velez to jump up and
collect cash. Nearby, WHISTLES sound as British
military police raid a bar, tossing out rowdy GIs. CHAOS
erupts as locals run from the police.
US SOLDIER (screaming)
Hey, lay off you limey sons of bitches!
CONTINUED:
17.
Graham and Velez quickly join into a wild street fight

between Americans, British, and locals. Fists and sticks are
thrown freely. Velez pushes a British police officer while
Graham puts his arms over his head to block strikes from a
CANE.
VELEZ (yelling)
Hey Joe, it’s our first battle!
EXT. INDIAN TRAIN STATION - DAY
The unit pushes through a crowded Indian train station and

loads gear onto a dilapidated, colonial-era LOCOMOTIVE
pulling dozens of aging cars. The train CHUGS black smoke
and heads into rural India, with GIs--including Graham and
Velez--at every window, gawking at peasants, exotic animals,
and foreign landscapes. Locals turn away from the loud-
mouthed GIs.
VELEZ
They don’t seem to like us much.
GRAHAM
Can’t blame them – we’re just the latest army to
sweep through here. You know, they say cows are
worshipped here.
VELEZ
So, you can’t eat them? No steak?
GRAHAM
Don’t believe so.
VELEZ
Damn shame.
EXT. DEOLALI TRAINING GROUND - DAY
The Deolali training area consists of a dozen worn-down,

squat, white brick buildings surrounded by an endless Indian
forest and HIGH MOUNTAINS. Hundreds of GIs disembark from
trucks and form up. Officers sit on a wooden REVIEWING
STAND, preparing to address the men.
CONTINUED:
18.
VELEZ
Goddamn, when did they build this dump? Looks
older than dirt.
FIRST SERGEANT (yelling)

A-ten hut!
The men come to attention as General FRANK MERRILL (41), a

wiry, weathered, bespectacled officer comes to the
microphone.
General MERRILL
At ease men. My name is General Frank Merrill,
commander of the 5307th Composite Unit. Odd name –
so what’s it mean? It means you men are from a
dozen places and units, all around the world. What
unites us is that we raised our hands when the
call came.
In several months, we will deploy to fight the

Japanese in Burma. This will not be a normal
battle. We will infiltrate the enemy’s lines and
tear them apart. Raids and ambushes, those are our
tools. Our British friends have been using those
tactics here and in Africa. They act like they
invented this style of fighting. But we’re going
to show them that no one knows how to fight dirty
like an American.
We will be alone, the only US combat unit for

5,000 miles. We will be outnumbered and outgunned.
We will be fighting in terrain that no American
has stepped foot in before. No one is coming to
rescue us. Many of you will not return. The only
way we get through it is to stick together.
Understood?
UNIT (loud)
Yes sir!
MERRILL
Good. One last thing, since we’ll be fighting
alongside our British allies, you will be afforded
a daily whiskey ration. So, enjoy that.
CONTINUED: (2)
19.
The men cheer.
Dozens of GIs including Graham and Velez run in formation

through rough dirt trails, their white shirts soaked through
with sweat. Officers bark orders and run them through
pullups and situps. In fatigues, they assemble, load, and
fire small arms including M-1 rifles, Thompson
submachine guns, and Browning belt-fed light machine guns.
They practice hand-to-hand combat and using bayonets.
VELEZ (wheezing)
Holy shit Joe..this..ain’t..like the training …
back home.
GRAHAM (wheezing)
You think they’d bring us…all the way to this
jungle…just to treat us nice?
During a break, the troops including Graham and Velez read

letters.
SOLDIER
Hey Velez, what girl is desperate enough to write
you?
VELEZ
Hey, don’t badmouth your sister like that.
Velez and the soldier exchange laughs.
VELEZ (CONT’D)
Just my mom, complaining about my brother. He runs
the worst auto shop in Plano, couldn’t fix a car
if Henry Ford helped him. This place isn’t much,
but at least I don’t have to hear them jawing.
GRAHAM
There you go Alex, thinking of the bright side.
SOLDIER
A-ten hut!
CONTINUED:
20.
The soldiers come to attention as Lieutenant Egan arrives

accompanied by Sergeant PAUL KURTZ (32), a weathered, gritty
combat veteran.
EGAN
At ease. I’m Lieutenant Egan, CO of the
Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon. I’m
looking for volunteers. Our platoon’s job is to
conduct recon, locate the Japanese, and kill them
in the most expeditious manner possible. It’s a
dangerous mission and I expect heavy losses. I
need men with quick minds who don’t mind taking
risks. Oh, and no extra pay. Volunteers?
The men exchange quiet, skeptical chatter. Graham stares at

Egan, then stands, followed by Velez and a few other
soldiers. Egan and Kurtz approach him.
EGAN
The reader, I remember you. You have what it takes
Private Graham?
GRAHAM
Yes sir.
EGAN
I don’t see combat patches on that uniform.
GRAHAM
Yes sir, never served overseas.
EGAN
Do you hunt?
GRAHAM
Sorry sir..what?
EGAN
Do you hunt? In Tennessee?
GRAHAM
Oh, yes sir. Deer, elk, anything that walks.
EGAN
Show me private.
CONTINUED: (2)
21.
Egan loads a M-1 rifle and hands it to Graham.
EGAN (CONT’D)
50 yards from the kneel, go.
Graham crouches and raises the M-1. He cycles through the

eight round clip which ejects empty with a tell-tale PING.
Egan looks down range with binoculars.
EGAN
Good shooting. Stand up soldier. How about you
Private Velez, why do you want to join the
platoon?
VELEZ
To see action, sir.
EGAN
Everyone in this unit is going to see action
Private. Are you saying you just want it a little
more?
VELEZ (smiling coyly)

Guess so sir.
Egan smiles, then moves on to the other volunteers.
EXT. DEOLALI TRAINING CAMP - DAY
Egan and Velez walk through the camp, relaxed, passing GIs
taking smoke breaks or doing chores.
VELEZ
Can’t believe I stood up. It’s your fault Joe.
GRAHAM
I don’t remember forcing you.
VELEZ
Didn’t want you to have something to hold over me.
You’d never let me hear the end of it, that you
were in a crack unit and I wasn’t.
CONTINUED:
22.
GRAHAM
It’s true, I would have mentioned it a few dozen
times.
VELEZ
Figured.
Lieutenant Egan and Sergeant Kurtz pull up in two JEEPS.
EGAN
Privates, congrats, you’re in the unit. Get in, we
need some help.
The two men jump in the back of the jeeps, which roar off.
They travel on broken dirt and gravel roads, bucking and
SHAKING.
VELEZ
Sir, where are we going?
EGAN
Well, our recruitment drive came up a little
short. Turns out not everyone is as nuts as you
two. Anyway, I know a place where we can find a
few more heroes.
EXT. BRITISH MILITARY DETENTION FACILITY - DAY
The jeeps pull up to a small British Army outpost and are

waved in by sentries. They park in front of several huts
with iron bars on the windows. A ragged sign on the main
structure says “Army Glasshouse.”
VELEZ
What’s a…
EGAN
It’s British for military prison. A little birdy
told me our allies are keeping a dozen of our
recruits who were too rowdy coming off the boat.
The other officers say it’s best to recruit good,
church-fearing men for recon platoons. But I like
the idea of including a few colorful characters.
CONTINUED:
23.
Egan, Kurtz, Velez, and Graham walk into the--
PRISON
Egan is handed a roster by a guard. The Americans survey the

cells and imprisoned GIs who pass time by bouncing a ball or
doing pushups. Egan begins at the first cell on the
right, flipping through the paperwork. In it is Private
PETER VITA (24), a scrappy, angry-looking medium-sized GI.
KURTZ
Stand up Private.
Vita stands up reluctantly.
EGAN
Private First Class Peter Vita, from Brooklyn New
York. Won a bronze star in Guadalcanal. Says here
you started a bar fight with British officers,
then punched your own CO who was trying to break
it up. You then beat a British constable with his
cane. Is that accurate?
VITA
Sounds right, from what I remember.
KURTZ
You like hitting officers Private?
VITA
If they deserve it, sure.
EGAN
Would you punch me Private?
VITA
Don’t know you sir.
Egan smiles.
EGAN
Well, if you want out of here, I have an option
for you. I’m looking for soldiers for the
reconnaissance platoon. It’s hard duty, and
CONTINUED: (2)
24.
fifty-fifty odds you’re not coming home. Good news

is you’ll be out of here.
VITA
I’m in.
EGAN
Just like that?
VITA
What’s there to think about? I’m more likely to
get killed in here by some limey with a grudge.
EGAN (smiling)
Alright.
The group loads up the jeeps with Vita’s gear and two other
new recruits. They ride off.
EXT. DEOLALI FOREST - DAY
The men of the newly-formed I&R platoon venture into the

forest for their training, led by Lieutenant Egan. They trek
through the dense growth and climb mountains, day and night,
exhaustion etched on their faces. Monkeys and jackals
observe the strange intruders from a distance.
The GIs practice STEALTHILY moving through trees and bushes.

Kurtz instructs Graham on wiring several grenades to a
tripwire. Egan shows the men how to track their
movements on a map. Velez attempts to drain every drop of
water from an emptied canteen. The men sit patiently,
watching Kurtz walk through slitting a man’s throat from
behind.
Egan (V.O.)
Your real training begins now boys. We’re going to
teach you how to move and kill fast. Hit hard,
then back in the jungle. Remember, we will always
be outnumbered and alone. We win or we die.
EXT. DEOLALI FOREST - NIGHT

25.
Platoon members rest in the forest gathered around camp

fires. The night is alive with the sounds of exotic BIRDS
and MONKEYS. Graham sits next to Velez and Sergeant RAY
NAMURO (24), a handsome Japanese-American soldier.
VELEZ
Hey sergeant, how’d you end up in this unit?
NAMURO
Heard they were looking for GIs who spoke the
language and were willing to take on a dangerous
mission. Raised my hand like everyone else.
Sergeant Kurtz walks by the seated GIs, doing his rounds.
KURTZ
Remember Private, two days on one canteen. Ration
that drinking water.
GRAHAM
Yes sergeant.

NAMURO
You boys want some good stories, ask Sergeant
Kurtz how he ended up here.
VELEZ
I would, but he doesn’t seem like the
conversational type.
NAMURO (smiling)
You wouldn’t be either if you’d seen the action he
has. He was fighting before he came to the US, in
Spain. Combat ever since, Philippines,
Guadalcanal. Three Purple Hearts. Doesn’t talk
about it much. Anyway, listen to him, and you’ll
have a decent shot at surviving this.
EXT. DEOLALI FOREST - DAY
The I&R platoon rests in a clearing, drinking water and

eating. Egan stands up to address the men.
CONTINUED:
26.
EGAN
I want to give you boys some info I learned at HQ.
When we go into Burma, we’re heading straight at
the Japs’ 18th Division. If you were in
Guadalcanal, that name should ring a bell. The
same sons of bitches who fought like hell there,
are right over the border, waiting. They’ve been
fighting since 1937, in China.
FLASHBACK – EXT. NANKING CITY, CHINA 1937
Several dozen Japanese soldiers of the 18th Division—

designated by the yellow Chrysanthemum on their caps— fan
out into a devastated urban neighborhood. Shops and houses
are aflame from bombardment, and endless plumes of smoke
shroud the devastated cityscape. Hundreds of Chinese
civilians flee, crying, carrying their belongings and
children.
Major Takehiro TANAKA, (40), a slight, thin man with intense

eyes strides forward through the chaos, observing one of his
soldiers bayoneting a wounded Chinese soldier to death. He
looks at the civilians, cowering and begging for mercy as
they are jostled by screaming Japanese soldiers who are
trying to bring order. Nonchalantly, Tanaka waves at his
men.
TANAKA (in Japanese)

Enough, end this!
At his command, the young Japanese infantryman hurriedly set

up a crewed machine guns. The Chinese civilians begin to
panic, horrified. The machine guns explode, riddling bodies
and painting the walls with blood. Other Japanese soldiers
move forward in a frenzy, bayoneting and stabbing civilians,
including women. Tanaka looks on, emotionless.
EGAN (V.O.)
If you’ve ever served in China, you’ve heard the
stories. In Nanking, the 18th took the city, then
killed hundreds of thousands of civilians. Brutal
stuff. Those are the type we’re going to meet in
the jungle. That’s why we don’t slack on the
training.
BACK TO PRESENT DAY – DEOLALI FOREST - DAY

27.
Sergeant Kurtz then steps up and addresses the seated

platoon.
KURTZ
Something you new men should know. War is
different out here. The terrain, the way the Japs
fight, you won’t have time to think. One second
you’ll be daydreaming of home, the next you’ll
have a bayonet in your gut.
Kurtz raises his Thompson submachine and fires off 10 rounds

in a second. Graham looks on, his face determined.
KURTZ (CONT’D)
That’s how quick it can go. That’s the difference
between you going home or a boat or in a body bag.
EXT. DEOLALI TRAINING CAMP - DUSK
Large bonfires dot the camp and the men celebrate the end of
a week of training, telling stories, gambling, and drinking.
Others FIRE their weapons into the sky, whooping with
laughter. A tipsy Velez takes a seat next to Graham, who is
writing a letter.
VELEZ
This is a hell of a camp Joe. Even the officers
want to have a good time.
GRAHAM
How’d craps go?
VELEZ
Nah, I took a break. If I keep winning, I’m
worried one of these roughnecks would jump me.
Sergeant Vita and a few other soldiers pass by.
VITA
Hey, you boys want to go into town?
CONTINUED:
VELEZ
28.
The hell, you got a 48-hour pass?
VITA
No, no pass, just some unauthorized adventuring.
We’ve got a line on a train.
GRAHAM
Train? There’s not a station for 20 miles from
here. And where would you go anyway?
VITA
If I knew you were going to ask so many questions
I wouldn’t have invited you boys. Suit yourself.
VELEZ
Nah, I’m in. Joe?
GRAHAM
Sure.
Moving carefully in the dark, the group hijacks a food

delivery truck and drives it out of the gate.
EXT. RURAL RAILROAD TRACK - NIGHT
The party drives to an isolated railroad track illuminated

by faint moonlight.
VELEZ
This is the stop? How are we going to get on?
VITA
Come on Velez, didn’t you learn anything in the
unit? Improvise. Boys, grab those trees and toss
‘em on the track.
Working together, the men drag several long tree trunks onto
the track.
GRAHAM
We’re going to derail it?
CONTINUED:
VITA
Nah, they’ll see us in time to stop.
29.
Vita grabs a fuel can from the truck and pours it on the
logs. Popping open his Zippo lighter, he lights the dam.
In the distance, a train engine can be heard. The old

locomotive begins to slow and comes to a halt in front of
the BLAZE. The men start rolling the flaming logs off.
CONDUCTOR
What the hell is all this?
VITA
Official military business pal, we need to get to
Bombay right away.
CONDUCTOR
We didn’t hear anything about this!
VITA
Top secret bud. We’ll hop on and then we can get
moving.
The men load onto a--
COACH CAR
The GIs startle the British and Indian civilians. They are
loud and rowdy, putting their feet up on benches and
cracking open beer bottles. A flustered British ticket agent
walks in as the train begins to chug along.
TICKET AGENT
Tickets gentlemen?
VITA
Sorry, we ain’t got tickets. We’re on a mission.
TICKET AGENT
Well that won’t do, you must have tickets or
you’ll be removed at the next station.
CONTINUED: (2)
VITA
30.
No, you’ll let us ride on to Bombay. That’s the

way it is.
TICKET AGENT
I’m sorry, but that’s just not acceptable. I’ll be
radioing ahead to the police and they will…
SOLDIER
Like hell pal!
A GI smashes an empty beer bottle over the agent’s head.

Graham holds the GI while Vita grabs the flustered agent and
pushes him out the door to the next carriage. They all
laugh.
EXT. BOMBAY ALLEY - MORNING
A young Indian girl comes upon a drunk Graham and Velez

sleeping, propped up against a building. She wakes them with
a stick. Graham stirs.
GRAHAM (hungover)
What...where are we?
VELEZ (hungover)
Bombay…I think. What day is it?
GRAHAM
Not sure, but I’m going to bet our leave is up.
Let’s get back.
Graham and Velez return to Deolali in an army food truck.

The cooks are surprised when the two men bound out from
amongst the canned goods. Both soldiers return to their
barracks and run into Lieutenant Egan, who studies their
disheveled looks.
EGAN
You men look like you’ve been through it. Haven’t
seen either of you for the last couple of days.
CONTINUED:
31.
Also, have you heard of any problems out by the

tracks? Brits say some fools wearing US uniforms
hijacked a train.
VELEZ
Uh, no sir.
EGAN (smiling)
Good, hate to find out our men were involved in
something like that. Well, you’re back just in
time. Night march this evening, get your packs
ready.
Egan leans into Graham.
EGAN (CONT’D)
You’re free to fuck around all you want in this
camp or out in the wilds, but if you let me or
the platoon down in the field, I will work you
both until you fucking die. Clear, private?
GRAHAM
Yes, yes sir.
EGAN
Good, see you shortly.

Hundreds of GIs are lined up to greet the camp’s latest
visitors: dozens of mules and horses. The soldiers awkwardly
attempt to bridle, lead, and even ride the uncooperative
animals. One soldier is tossed off into the dirt as his
friends laugh.
EGAN
They might not look like much, but these animals
are going to save our asses in-country. Unless you
boys want to carry out all this gear up every
mountain and across every river in Burma. Graham,
you’re from the country, you know how to ride
these?
CONTINUED:
32.
GRAHAM
Yes sir.
EGAN
Alright, well, if we need a horseman, I’m putting
in your name. How about mules?
GRAHAM
Never worked them, sir.
EGAN
Well, start learning.
Graham pats the head of one of the horses. Other soldiers

ride them, clumsily.
GIs including Graham, Velez, Namuro, and Kurtz move parallel

to a trail with guns at the ready. They spot a patrol of
British soldiers coming towards them and prepare an
ambush.
As the British pass, Kurtz steps out from the bush and
points his combat shotgun at the British soldiers.
KURTZ
BAM, AMBUSH!
To the Americans’ astonishment, a group of British Gurkha

troopers, camouflaged in leaves and brush, emerge directly
in front of them.
VELEZ
Holy…
Stunned, Velez punches one of the Gurkhas, whose compatriot

retaliates by hitting him in the stomach with a rifle butt.
Egan runs up to the front.
EGAN
Enough, enough!
CONTINUED:
33.
BRITISH OFFICER
Got you there Yank. And if we can do it, the
Japanese can. They’ll put skirmishers out in the
jungle, and you’ll likely never see them coming.
EGAN
Understood. Velez, get back in line. You’re lucky
this is an exercise. If it was the real thing
these boys would gut you quick.
VELEZ (grunting)
Yes sir.
The GIs converse with their British allies, exchanging tips

and inspecting each other’s weaponry. The Gurkhas take out
their long curved-blade kukhri knives, and one pokes a light
cut into his own hand.
GRAHAM
What the hell are they doing with their hands?
BRITISH SOLDIER
It’s the Gurkha tradition, if they draw their
kukhris, they must take blood before sheathing
them. Luckily for us, it’s usually Jap blood
they’re after.
GRAHAM
Jesus.
VELEZ
Eh buddy, can I get one of those for a machete?
The Gurkhas examine the machete and nod in agreement. Velez

smiles as he holds his new kukhri.
EXT. DEOLALI TRAINING CAMP - NIGHT
The GIS and Brits drink together in huts and tents. The
sounds of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “God Save the Queen”
ring out. Some British soldiers put on a play and sing
songs, and the Americans clap widely. Outside, a British
officer races an American on a horse as a crowd including
Graham and Velez cheer and drink.
CONTINUED:
34.
GRAHAM
I’ll say this about the Brits, they know how to
celebrate. Whiskey is good too.
VELEZ
Damn right about that. Wooo! I knew he’d win! In
the movies, the English guy always know how to
ride!
After the race, long rows of GIs including Velez, Graham,

Namuro, Egan, and Kurtz sit and drink beer in a--
TENT
SERGEANT
A-ten hut!
The men come to attention, slowed slightly by alcohol.

General Merrill stands before them.
MERRILL
Men of the 5-3-0-7, I hope you are enjoying
yourselves. Tomorrow, we will begin the move to
Burma. Into the fight. You’ve done well here.
Remember your training, kill the enemy, and we’ll
be alright. We move out 0800 tomorrow.
One more thing. As you all know, the big Army

doesn’t pay us much attention and didn’t see fit
to assign us a unit patch. Too busy watching
croquet and sipping lemonade, I suppose. Well, as
usual, we’re going to take care of this problem
ourselves - here is the 5307’s official emblem. I
want to see every man with this on his shoulder
tomorrow.
Merrill flashes the legendary green, white, blue, and red

patch and the men cheer. He salutes and the men return it.
The tent flap opens - Private Vita enters and sits next to
his fellow platoon members.
EGAN
Vita, where the hell have you been? I marked you
down AWOL a month ago!
CONTINUED: (2)
35.
VITA
Yeah, well, sorry sir. I got lost a few times and
just decided to stay in Bombay. Anyway, I heard
you were shipping out, so I thought I’d come back.
Didn’t want to miss the fun.
KURTZ
You know we could just throw you in the stockade,
right Private?
VITA
Sure sergeant. But you already went through the
trouble of bailing me out once. How about I just
save you the paperwork and die in battle? Should
just be a week or two.
The men laugh.
EXT. INDIA - BURMA BORDER FEBRUARY 1944 - NIGHT
Thousands of men from the 5307th line rough roads running

into Burma. Hundreds of native laborers hack at rocks that
block US Army trucks, which trundle uneasily through the
crowds. African-American supply soldiers look on at the
infantrymen, some clapping, others playing the “Star
Spangled Banner” on brass instruments. Along the side of the
road, Lieutenant Egan and other officers meet behind a
truck, comparing notes and listening to a radio.
EGAN
Men, listen to this.
Egan turns up the radio, playing English-language propaganda

from Radio Tokyo voiced by the sultry, syrupy-
voiced Tokyo Rose. Velez, Graham, and several other soldiers
pause to listen.
TOKYO ROSE (radio)

And we want to send best wishes to our American
friends including General Merrill, who is headed
to Burma. We really wish you would turn around and
return to your families. If you keep moving
forward, well, there is a very good chance you
will never leave.
CONTINUED:
36.
VELEZ
Great, they know we’re coming. Hey lieutenant, did
you see this?
Velez pulls out a copy of Stars and Stripes and points to an

article headlined “MERRILL’s MARAUDERS PREPARE TO BATTLE THE
JAPS.”
EGAN
Marauders? I like it.
Graham and Velez move down the trail.
VELEZ
Hey Joe, you nervous?
GRAHAM
Yep.
VELEZ
Yeah, me too. Figure it’ll get better once we’re
in it. Sort of like when you’re waiting on a date,
you know.
GRAHAM
I wouldn’t know. I’m always calm before I take a
girl out.
VELEZ
Bullshit.
A group of supply soldiers sees Sergeant Namuro and points,

mockingly.
SOLDIER (laughing)
Hey boys, thought I should tell you, looks like
you got a Jap spy in your unit!
The soldier laughs with his friends. Namuro and the others
keep walking, but Kurtz steps out of line and brutally
PUNCHES the soldier in the mouth, then stares down his
compatriots, daring them to retaliate. His steely gaze and
the damage done to the heckler’s jaw settles the matter
quickly.
CONTINUED: (2)
37.
SUPPLY OFFICER
The hell? Sergeant, you can’t just strike one of
my men and walk away. I order you to wait here,
I’m going to grab an MP.
KURTZ
Tell ‘em to come find me in Burma.
The Marauders march on, smiling.
EXT. BURMA JUNGLE - DAY
The mile-long column of Marauders come to a halt as the

gravel road turns into dirt trails. The unit is surrounded
by the majestic Patkai Mountains, which range up to 4,500
feet high.
GRAHAM
Hell of a country. Like a painting.
VITA
Yeah, nice to look at. Not so nice to walk
through.
The unit navigates a rocky, mountainside trail. Men struggle

to keep the mules and horses disciplined and moving forward.
The Marauders then plod through a muddy jungle trail, their
uniforms soaked through in the stifling tropical heat. A
rain squall breaks, and the men rest under parkas.
VITA (looking at his boots)

It’s like walking through soup, this shit.
VELEZ
My boots are already chopped up. And this is day
one.
Graham smiles and looks to his left into the wet jungle.
Then, he notices white shapes in the underbrush - a HUMAN
SKULL. They are sitting in a field of skeletons.
CONTINUED:
GRAHAM
38.
Damn, there’s bones all around!
VITA
Ah fuck.
Egan hears the men and looks around.
FLASHBACK EXT. BURMA JUNGLE MAY 1942 – DAY
Colonel Tanaka silently walks up the same trail the

Marauders are hiking through in 1944. Dead British soldiers
litter the path. A dozen British soldiers, horribly ill, lay
at the lip of the jungle, moaning, too sick to move.
Japanese soldiers of the 18th Division stand with their
bayonets glimmering in the sun, awaiting orders. Tanaka
looks at one British soldier, no older than 18, who is in
and out of consciousness. He draws his pistol and fires into
the sick Brit’s chest.
TANAKA (in Japanese)

Kill them.
The Japanese soldiers wade into the British soldiers with

bayonets and swords, eliciting frantic screams and cries as
Tanaka looks on.
EGAN (V.O.)
They’re old, from when the Japanese pushed the
Brits out. They moved so fast, the limey’s barely
got back to India. Guess these guys got left
behind. Must have been a slaughter.
BACK TO PRESENT DAY – BURMA JUNGLE - DAY
The men silently stare at the skeletons as the rain falls.
EXT. NATIVE VILLAGE - DAY
The men continue their trek in the hazy sunlight. They

survey small native villages of BURNED-OUT HUTS and burial
mounds. At one scorched village, five DEAD VILLAGERS look
down at the US column, hanging by their necks.

39.
The column continues on the narrow jungle path until Egan

moves to the lead and signals a halt.
EGAN
Gather up I&R platoon, we have our mission.
The roughly 50 men of the I&R platoon huddle around their

commander, who holds a marked up battle map.
EGAN
Got the brief from General Merrill. We’re headed
for Walawbum, a Jap-held town to the south. We’ll
shoot into the jungle and flank them. It’s a 50
mile run, behind their lines. We’ll take the town
and block the road, while our Chinese friends
attack from the north. We think the Japs have
about 7,000 men here, with heavy artillery, so
we’ll be outnumbered and outgunned. Sergeant
Kurtz, you have the point.
The platoon moves out. Graham and Velez check their weapons,
nervously.
VITA
Looks sharp boys, this is what you signed up for.
No turning back now.
The I&R platoon hikes into the jungle, the rest of the
Marauders several miles behind them. Kurtz moves cautiously
and deliberately, with Graham to his immediate right, his
eyes constantly scanning and M-1 at the ready.
As Kurtz moves closer to the trail, he puts up his hand and

signals a halt, hearing voices. Kurtz and Graham move
together cautiously, slowly, through the dense jungle and
towards the source of the noise. Then, they see a young
JAPANESE SOLDIER fixing his boots. Behind him are a small
group of Japanese soldiers, resting on the trail.
Suddenly, the soldier spots Kurtz and Graham and reaches for
his rifle. Kurtz quickly opens fire with his shotgun,
gunning him down with a LOUD first shot. In an instant, the
jungle is alive with dozens of small-arms as Japanese
soldiers fire blindly at the unseen American unit.
CONTINUED:
40.
Marauders charge to the front, firing. Graham fires his M-1

at the Japanese MUZZLE FLASHES. Kurtz grunts and grabs his
bloody face, his nose grazed by a Japanese bullet.
EGAN
Set up the machine gun here! Sergeant, move up
first squad on the left and flank ‘em! Go!
The Marauder’s .30 caliber Browning light machine gun is set

down and goes into action, sending WHITE TRACER rounds into
the Japanese position.
A dozen Marauders including Velez and Graham move stealthily

through the jungle and engage the Japanese left flank,
gunning down four soldiers. Japanese voices yell out and the
firing subsides as they retreat. Graham breathes quickly,
staring at the torn up jungle and a JAPANESE CORPSE,
bleeding out on the trail. Next to him, a wounded Japanese
soldier attempts to crawl to the rear.
Vita, his eyes wide open in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy,

draws his combat knife and slams it into the wounded man’s
throat. The other Marauders look on in shock, but say
nothing.
EGAN
Keep moving forward men.
The men pass by the corpse of a Japanese soldier, his

chrysanthemum cap on the ground. A PICTURE of his wife lies
on the ground, having fallen from his pocket. Graham stares
at it, then continues walking.
EXT. BURMA JUNGLE - NIGHT
The men huddle under ponchos in the rain, attempting to

sleep. Sentries sit on logs and stare into the dark foliage,
water coming down in rivers. Velez lies near Graham.
VELEZ (whispering)
First kill today.
CONTINUED:
GRAHAM (whispering)
41.
Yeah.
VELEZ
Real quick. Had to do it.
GRAHAM
Yep. Don’t think about it too much.
Both men look on at Vita, who is playing with his knife and
staring ahead, exhausted. Egan then joins their small group.
EGAN
Get some sleep men. We move out at 0500. Word is
there might be a Jap company wandering around, so
battalion needs us to cross the river up ahead and
screen the advance.
The men of the I&R platoon nod their heads and drift into
sleep as the rain fall picks up.
EXT. JUNGLE RIVER - DAY
The I&R platoon ford a river, holding weapons above their

heads in chest-high water. They make their way through the
jungle and high grass, a dense fog obscuring their view.
They emerge to the lip of a small clearing and halt. Egan
moves up to the fore, next to Graham and Kurtz.
EGAN (whisper)
You hear that?
Kurtz nods. The Marauders can’t see more than 10 yards ahead
as the FOG FLOWS over the 8-feet tall grass. Slight rustling
and murmurs can be heard.
Egan moves along the line in a crouch and signals for the
men to get down. Graham lies prone, his M-1 pointed into the
haze. Then, a shadow emerges from the grass. Within 10
yards, the fog thins and the shape is revealed to be a
JAPANESE SOLDIER.
CONTINUED:
GRAHAM (yelling)
JAPS FRONT!
42.
Graham and several Marauders open fire, quickly riddling the

enemy soldier.
Shrouded in the fog, Colonel Tanaka and his men briefly halt
at the sound of the Marauder gunfire. Tanaka then waves the
men forward with his sword.
TANAKA (screaming)
Attack!
From the fog, dozens of Japanese rifles and machine guns

OPEN UP, sending rounds into the US line. GIs hit the ground
as bullets kick up dirt and SMACK off trees.
Japanese fire hits one Marauder in the head, killing him.

Velez takes cover behind a large tree at the right of the
line and fires quickly with his carbine. Graham looks up and
sees a dozen Japanese emerging from the grass, running
forward towards the center of the Marauder line and
screaming.
GRAHAM (screaming)
HERE THEY COME!
JAPANESE SOLDIERS (screaming)

BANZAI!
Graham fires rapidly, dropping two Japanese attackers. The

platoon’s machine guns and BARs join in, slaughtering the
Japanese just feet from the front line.
The incoming fire continues, with streams of rounds CRACKING

and WHINING just inches above the Marauders’ heads. Then,
Japanese mortar rounds begin to SHRIEK in,
tearing through trees and Marauder flesh. Hot shrapnel digs
into Graham’s shoulder.
SOLDIER (yelling)
INCOMING!
GRAHAM
MEDIC!
CONTINUED: (2)
43.
The medic, Doc OREN, (25), a bearded man with a slight

German accent, crawls up behind Graham, who continues to
squeeze off rounds.
GRAHAM (wincing)
My shoulder…
Oren ties a bandage over Graham’s shoulder and pats him on

the back.
OREN (yelling)
Went through! You’ll be alright!
The firefight continues, with Marauders taking shots at

fleeting Japanese targets, hidden amidst the grass.
EGAN (yelling)
Keep the fire up boys. We have to hold here!
Kurtz crawls over to Egan. In the distance, Marauders hear

the sounds of trucks arriving and unloading Japanese
reinforcements.
KURTZ
Sir, hear that? Trucks.
Egan nods.
SOLDIER
Right flank!
20 to 30 Japanese soldiers dash forward on the Marauder

right. Several are shot to pieces but others hit the line,
killing one Marauder with a bayonet thrust through the
STOMACH. Vita and Kurtz rush over to blunt the attack, Kurtz
firing his pump-action shotgun, once, twice, three times,
TEARING Japanese soldiers in half.
A Marauder machine gunner is tackled by a Japanese soldier.

They grapple, the Marauder eventually gaining leverage and
slaughtering him with blows from his MACHETE. Vita grabs the
fallen machine gun and returns fire, killing three Japanese
soldiers.
CONTINUED: (3)
44.
The Japanese continue firing and sending out small groups of

attackers, who are shot down in the clearing or jungle. A
Japanese grenade falls near a Marauder, the blast wounding
him.
Graham aims at a light machine gunner and shoots him in the

chest. He then watches another Japanese soldier pick up the
gun, right before several Marauder rounds tear him apart.
Yet another Japanese soldier goes for the gun, but Graham
hits him with a round.
The sun dims as the battle rages for hours. Namuro crawls to
the front line next to Graham and puts his head down. In
between the rifle fire, he hears Japanese officers barking
orders. After a moment, he moves back to Egan.
NAMURO
Sir, attack coming on the left!
EGAN
Got it. Kurtz, bring one of the .30s and BAR to
the left!
Kurtz and several other men crouch and move to the left side
of the Marauder line, setting up a belt-feld machine gun.
Just as Namuro warned, 20 Japanese soldiers pour from
the grass on the left of the Marauder line, led by a
screaming officer swinging a SWORD. A BAR instantly cuts him
down, and the Browning mows down half of the attackers.
Kurtz stands and methodically kills two of the remaining
Japanese with his shotgun, ending the attack.
Sporadic firing continues as the sun sets. Egan begins to

move down the line.
EGAN (yelling)
On my order, start pulling back, squad by squad.
Graham, can you shoot?
GRAHAM (wincing)
Yes sir!
CONTINUED: (4)
45.
EGAN
Good. Grab Sergeant Kurtz, I want you two to cross
the river and cover us as we move back. Go!
Kurtz and Graham sprint the hundred feet to the river and
cross it, taking up positions on the opposite bank. Kurtz
grabs an extra M-1 from a dead Marauder.
The fighting intensifies as platoon members provide covering

fire for those rushing back to the bank. Tired soldiers pour
into the river, stumbling across, some of them badly
wounded. Soon, the entire platoon is in the water, moving
back frantically.
Graham and Kurtz scan the ridge line, and spot their first
Japanese target. Graham fires - BAM.
KURTZ
Got him.
The two men coolly engage targets, one shot at a time, as

the I&R men make it across into the jungle. Kurtz coldly
shoots a Japanese machine gunner in the HEAD, while Graham
snipes an officer attempting to organize his men. Egan is
the last out of the river.
EGAN
Let’s go!
Kurtz and Graham follow him deeper into the jungle as the
shooting ends.
Colonel Tanaka walks to the river, stepping over several

Japanese and American bodies. He looks down, studying the
Marauder unit patch, then looks across at the distant jungle
into which they escaped.
The exhausted platoon halts in the jungle, lit by the bright

moon. The men sit in silence, checking their weapons and
tending to the wounded on litters. Graham’s face is blank,
staring into the night, holding tight to his M-1. Doc Oren
walks down the line, checking the wounded—
CONTINUED:
46.
including Graham—and taking temperatures. The men cough and

groan softly, the mix of disease, exertion, and combat
breaking them down.
OREN
You lucked out Private. Keep it clean.
Oren removes the thermometer.
OREN (CONT’D)
Only 101, that’s nothing. Just try to stay dry.
GRAHAM
Thanks Doc. Hey, just wondering, are you in
medicine back home?
OREN
Nah, just medic training when I got in the Army.
Back in Pittsburgh, I worked in my pop’s butcher
shop.
VELEZ
Got to me shitting me. A butcher?
OREN
Yeah. Heard all the jokes already. And yeah, it
was good preparation.
Egan walks the line of men, checking his soldiers.
GRAHAM
Yes sir. Hey sir, in Guadalcanal, the Japanese,
did they fight like that. I’d…I’d shoot one, but
kept coming. Even when they knew they’d get it.
Damndest thing I ever saw.
EGAN
Not like in the movies, huh? I hear this shit
about how they can’t see, how they’re natural
cowards. Yes, Private, that’s how they fight.
Bravest sons of bitches you’ll ever see. Just keep
shooting and you’ll do alright.
GRAHAM
Yes sir.
47.
The platoon returns to the trail and the main unit. Several
men on litters are carried in the opposite direction. Men
fall asleep on the side of the road. Others collapse, their
comrades pouring water in their mouths or helping them eat.
One soldier ties a rope around his trousers, now loose
because of rapid weight loss.
VITA
Never thought I’d be so happy to see GIs. Even
these ugly ones.
EGAN
Hey, we got some wounded here.
OFFICER
Join the club. We’re all pretty banged up. If you
want, you can send ‘em back on the trail to the
aid station.
EGAN
That’s six days away, at least?
OFFICER
Got a better idea, Captain?
Egan scowls, grimly surveying the suffering Marauders.
In the dark, several Marauders including Graham and Velez

sleep huddled together, shivering despite the warm jungle
air.
GRAHAM
How much sleep did you get?
VELEZ
About a hour. Hey, remember I said I was happy to
be away from my brother’s whining, back in Plano?
GRAHAM
Yeah.
CONTINUED:
48.
VELEZ
I take it back.
GRAHAM
Yep. That desk in Tennessee doesn’t sound so bad
right now.
Doc Oren comes over to the group.
SOLDIER
Doc, got anything for us?
OREN
You all taking your tablets?
GRAHAM
Yep.
OREN
That’s all I have for you, sorry. Keep track of
your temperatures. If you pop 103, let me know.
EXT. JUNGLE CLEARING - DAY
The Marauders gather around a large clearing. Overhead,

three C-47 cargo planes pass over, disgorging metal
cylinders carried by parachutes. Some of the cylinders fall
into the cleaning, while others descend in the nearby
jungle. GIs fan out and open them, pulling out ammunition,
medical kits, and large bundles of K-rations.
VITA
Like pennies from heaven. Glad to see the Army
hasn’t forgotten about us.
VELEZ
I’ll trade three eggs for a beef!
SOLDIER
Throw in a pack of cigarettes and I’ll take it.
CONTINUED:
49.
VELEZ
Come on buddy, three rations!
SOLDIER
I can hardly eat that shit.
VELEZ
What am I running a chop house here? Take or
leave.
SOLDIER
Alright, alright.
EXT. BURMESE JUNGLE - DAY
The Marauders continue their march to Walawbum with the I&R

platoon in the lead. Graham is at point, slowly moving
forward, studying the terrain. On a jungle track, he notices
footprints and holds his hand up.
Kurtz and another soldier move up silently tracking the

footprints. About 100 feet ahead, they spy two Japanese
soldiers, crouched, working on a wire on the ground. Graham
raises his rifle.
GRAHAM
Don’t move! Hands up!
The two Japanese soldiers turn, stunned, and raise their

hands. Several Marauders grab their weapons and check their
pockets, pulling out papers.
EGAN
Sergeant Namuro, ask them what they’re doing out
here.
Namuro speaks to the two men in Japanese, who are held

roughly by several Marauders.
NAMURO
Looks like they were checking this communication
wire sir. They use it to talk to headquarters.
Egan holds the wire.

CONTINUED:
50.
EGAN
Get on the radio and let battalion know. Maybe
they can do something with it.
Two Marauder communication officers work on the wire,

linking a battery and box to it. Namuro puts on a pair of
headphones and gives a thumbs up. He reaches for a notepad
and starts writing.
NAMURO (smiling)
Jackpot, sir. The Japs are moving south, getting
out of dodge. They have some ambushes set up on
the trail, trying to slow us down.
EGAN
Like hell. Come on boys, let’s get to it.
The Marauders move through the jungle under MACHINE GUN

FIRE. Several Japanese soldiers are blocking the trail,
firing rapidly at the oncoming Americans.
EGAN (yelling)
Sergeant, take a few men and go left, we’ll keep
their heads down!
Kurtz, Vita, and several other Marauders go deeper into the

jungle to find the Japanese roadblock’s left flank. One
Marauder lies on the edge of the trail, his chest SHOT UP.
Oren struggles to crawl to him as bullets kick up dust
around them. Other GIs including Graham and Velez move tree
to tree, firing as they move. An American .30 caliber
machine gun opens up, pinning down the Japanese.
Kurtz approaches the roadblock and readies a hand grenade,

motioning to the others to follow his lead. A Japanese
machine gun HAMMERS away, just yards from their position.
Kurtz and others hurl grenades into the Japanese position,
the EXPLOSIONS tearing the enemy apart and ending the
skirmish.
CONTINUED:
51.
The column marches on, walking past the bloody DEAD BODIES
of young Japanese soldiers. The Marauders reach a small
river. Egan motions for the men to stop and fan out.
EGAN (into the radio)

Sir, we’re at the river bank across from Walawbum.
Took out several Jap roadblocks on the way, so the
coast is clear. We’ll hold until you move up. Over
and out.
EGAN
Dig in men.
The Marauders start to dig foxholes in the soft tropical

soil with their spades. Egan surveys the opposite bank with
his binoculars, Graham at his side.
EGAN
The village is just under a mile to the west. If
the Japanese want to fight, they’ll have to do it
here. We’ll wait for the battalion to join us,
then run across tonight, see if we can surprise
them. Private, make sure…
The conversation is cut short by incoming Japanese artillery

and mortar fire. Heavy rounds SMASH into the trees,
splintering them. Mortar rounds fall short into the river,
sending up geysers. Several wounded men yell out in agony.
EGAN (yelling)
Take cover, get down!
From the opposite river bank, several whistles blow

ominously as Japanese officers stand up and urge their men
forward. The sounds of hundreds of men SCREAMING
reverberates off the water. The attackers pour out of the
jungle and splash across the river.
VELEZ
There’s hundreds of them!
The Marauders including Velez, Vita, Kurtz, Graham, and Egan

rake the Japanese line, slaughtering them as they come
forward. The .30 machine gun and the BARs do the most
CONTINUED: (2)
52.
damage, tearing down Japanese soldiers with heavy rounds

that SMACK and THUD when they hit flesh. Marauders YELL in a
frenzy, pouring on fire.
EGAN (into the radio)

I need mortar fire on those coordinates! Bring it
in close!
Two 60mm mortar teams to the immediate rear of the I&R

platoon drop their rounds into launch tubes. They fall in
the river, eviscerating Japanese lines with shrapnel.
The Japanese advance stalls about 30 feet in front of the

Marauder line. Surviving Japanese soldiers struggle to mount
or navigate the growing piles of bodies at the lip of the
river. Additional Marauders surge up from the rear, joining
the I&R platoon’s firing line.
EGAN (screaming)
Pour it on!
A second wave of Japanese come forward and the Marauders

take additional mortar and machine gun fire. Graham draws a
bead on a screaming officer who makes it across the river,
sword in hand. He shoots him through the neck, then reloads
his M-1.
GRAHAM (screaming, frenzied)

KILL ‘EM, KILL ‘EM!
The Japanese attack wilts but fire continues to come from

the opposite bank. Japanese voices scream out in
frustration.
JAPANESE SOLDIERS (clumsy English)

We’ll kill you GI!
VITA (frenzied screaming)

FUCK YOU! KILL THESE FUCKS!
Vita and others pour on the fire, decimating the last

Japanese attackers in the river. One officer stumbles
forward, horribly wounded. Vita shoots him slowly once,
twice, three times with his Thompson, then finishes him with
a burst to the HEAD.
CONTINUED: (3)
53.
The last insults and mortar rounds are traded, and then
silence, save for the dying moans of wounded Japanese.
Graham and several Marauders cautiously rise and take in the
sight of hundreds of dead and broken bodies.
VITA
Jesus, JESUS. Hey, Sergeant Kurtz, you ever see
anything like that? They just kept coming!
KURTZ
Not like that. Never like that. Gotta be 400
bodies down there.
One Marauder walks down the bank and methodically executes

several wounded Japanese with a .45. Graham and Velez stare
on, blankly.
EXT. WALAWBAM VILLAGE - NIGHT
The Marauders celebrate their victory in the small village

of Walawbam, gathering around campfires. Chinese soldiers
happily trade pots of rice and fish for the GIs knives and
other weapons.
The mood is celebratory but subdued as the men work to

recover from fatigue, wounds, and disease. Egan, Velez,
Namuro, Kurtz, and Graham sit together around a fire,
hungrily eating roast fish.
GRAHAM
This is the best fish I ever had.
NAMURO
Eight days in the jungle, this shit tastes like
filet mignon.
VELEZ
Best meal I ever had was in a little place in San
Antonio. Cooks there, they’re straight across the
river from Mexico, real old country cooking. The
beans, the steak, melts in your mouth.
NAMURO
God, I can see it.
CONTINUED:
54.
KURTZ
You know, other units, they talk about girls. You
boys, food, food, food.
GRAHAM
My pop took me to Memphis once and bought me some
barbeque sandwiches. 10 cents a piece. Knock your
socks off. How about you sergeant?
NAMURO
There’s a place in Los Angeles, little fish and
noodle shop. A few quarters, you get enough to
last you a day, and it’s all fresh.
GRAHAM
Is that where you’re from? Los Angeles?
NAMURO
We were. My family, they live in Idaho now. In a
camp.
The men continue eating, somberly.
Graham, Velez, and Vita attempt to sleep at the edge of the

village in a--
FOXHOLE
Vita is on watch, smoking a cigarette.
VITA
Dreaming about the river?
VELEZ (flustered)
Yeah. Yeah.
VITA
Yeah, you know, I used to dream about the killing.
Their faces, that’s what I always see. Time goes
on though, you don’t dream anymore, you just wake
up scared. Every time.
GRAHAM
My pop wakes up sometimes, screaming. From France.
CONTINUED: (2)
VELEZ
55.
Vita, what are you gonna do when back in Brooklyn?
VITA
Heh, you guys talking about what we’re gonna do
back home, the food you’re gonna eat, the girls
you’re gonna screw. How come you’re so sure you’re
going to live through this shit? I don’t think
about Brooklyn because I know I won’t see it
again.
Vita takes a long drag as Graham and Velez stare at their

feet.
EXT. WALAWBUM VILLAGE - DAY
Egan addresses the I&R platoon.
EGAN
Listen up. Hope you’ve enjoyed the break but we
have another mission. The Japs are running scared
and we want to keep the heat on them. We’re going
to swing south again and block the road about 50
miles from here. The unit is going to split and
meet down the road. We’ll be mostly off trail to
avoid detection. Our platoon will be in the lead,
of course.
VITA (grumbling)
Of course.
The Marauders move into thick barriers of intersecting

bamboo chutes and high trees. Dozens of tired, shirtless,
and sweat-soaked men hack away in shifts. Some Marauders lay
on the ground, diseased and exhausted. They take in the
sight of six BENGAL TIGERS, cautiously moving parallel to
the platoon.
Velez is sitting, dozing in and out of consciousness, with a

ration tin on his lap. He looks up at his friend,
desperately.
CONTINUED:
VELEZ (muttering)
Joe, Joe, can you…
56.
GRAHAM
Sure pal.
Graham proceeds to feed him with a spoon. In a clearing, the

Marauders watch a small light plane land, bumping UP and
DOWN on the uneven surface. GIs load two horribly wounded
men and watch the plane take off, narrowly pulling up above
the treeline.
VELEZ
A few more days of this, we’re all gonna have to
get on that plane.
Graham leads the platoon through lush jungle, his shirt

open, his chest wet and lean. He holds his M-1 at the ready.
Then, the tell-tale sound of boots crushing underbrush is
heard. Graham kneels and raises his rifle, aiming at
movement in the haze.
TURLEY
Don’t shoot, I’m American!
Graham looks over his sites as several Marauders including

Lieutenant Egan join him. Major TURLEY (30), a slight,
rugged figure with a thick beard and dressed in khaki
jungle gear emerges, a .45 strapped to his chest and a
carbine in hand.
EGAN
Identify yourself!
TURLEY
Don’t shoot. Major Turley, OSS. These are my men.
Dozens of KACHIN TRIBESMEN emerge from the jungle behind

him. Short, hardy young men with brown skin, they are
dressed in all manner of clothing from US, British, and
Japanese fatigues, to homespun outfits. They carry a
colorful combination of knives, swords, antique firearms,
and modern rifles.
CONTINUED: (2)
EGAN
57.
I’m Lieutenant Egan, 5307th. Major, no one told us

you were out here.
TURLEY
That’s like the army, isn’t it? I’ve been putting
this unit together for a few months now. We’ve
been hitting the Japanese, ambushing them up and
down the trail. The Kachins, they hate the
Japanese more than anything. And they know the
jungle. Happy to help you all. Oh, and here’s my
accomplice.
Another white man steps up from the crowd, dressed in

British-style tropical clothing.
TURLEY
This is Father Colson, he’s been with the Kachins
since 1940. Takes care of the villages, keeps
civilians away from the Japanese.
EGAN
English?
COLSON
No sir, Irish. We’re neutral.
Egan smirks.
EXT. KACHIN VILLAGE - NIGHT
The I&R platoon rest in a Kachin village and observe a local

ritual. Dozens of Kachins dance in celebration, clothed in
bright robes and moving to pounding DRUMS. They call out
wildly, chanting in their native language. Buffalo meat is
roasted over roaring fires. Egan, Graham, and Turley sit
together with a local village chief, adorned in bone
jewelry.
TURLEY
Before the war, they knew nothing about the
outside world. It’s a damn shame, the whole thing,
they don’t deserve this. They’re a friendly
people. But they’ve been treated like shit by the
Japanese and the Chinese.
CONTINUED:
EGAN
58.
We saw burned out villages all through the

country. Dead natives too.
TURLEY
That’s only half of it. Some of the things I’ve
seen...no wonder they fight like devils. Give them
guns and they will do anything for you.
can help guide you down to the road, should take
five more days.
At the edge of the village on a slight crest, Sergeant Kurtz

sits and smokes, taking in the ceremony. He is joined by
Private Vita.
VITA
Damndest thing Sarge, like out of a Tarzan movie.
KURTZ
Yes. Sad. This war will probably ruin them.
VITA
You fought in Spain sarge?
KURTZ
Yes, fought there, fought at home in Poland, came
to Chicago. Now I fight here.
VITA
Bet it’s good to be on the winning side for a
change?
Kurtz doesn’t answer, staring into the fire.
KURTZ
When the Lieutenant brought you out of that hole,
back in India, I didn’t think it was a good idea.
Too wild. But I was wrong. You are a natural
killer. I know the look.
VITA (dragging on his cigarette)

Yeah. Right. Not good for much else, but I got the
fighting down.
CONTINUED: (2)
KURTZ
59.
That’s all that matters out here. Some of the new

men, they’re just learning that. But you already
know. You were in Guadalcanal, you remember.
VITA
Some of it. All sort of runs together now. Just
one long stream of dead Japs, and different ways
of killin ‘em.
KURTZ
Yes. That’s how I remember it too.
VITA
The rookies, they ask me what I’m going to do when
I get back. I don’t have an answer. You ever think
of it?
KURTZ
No. Never. Only the jungle.
VITA
Same.
In the soft light, the platoon heads back into the jungle,
accompanied by Major Turley and Kachin guides. The Kachins
point out side trails and local rope bridges. By the late
afternoon, the Marauders and Kachins come to rest at a
riverbank. Turley and several Kachins confer with Egan.
TURLEY
The boys say there’s a Japanese unit up several
hundred feet past the river. A dozen men, at
least.
EGAN
Alright, we’ll wait here until sun down. Sergeant
Namuro and I will cross. Can I get another
volunteer?
CONTINUED:
The men sit, silently.

60.
GRAHAM
I’ll do it.
EGAN
Good man.
EXT. RIVER - NIGHT
Egan, Graham, and Namuro walk across the chest-high river,

their weapons over their heads. The moonlight profiles them
as they cross the slow water. They make it to the opposite
bank and begin to move up, halting when they see a moving
LIGHT a hundred feet away.
EGAN
Shh..
Across the river, the Marauders keep their weapons at the

ready. The three advance men realize the light is a gas
lantern held by a JAPANESE SOLDIER on patrol. He comes
closer, 30, 20 feet away. The three Marauders hide under the
lip of the bank, pressing themselves into the wet dirt. The
Japanese soldier halts, lazily looking into the water. Then,
he turns around, and heads back, just missing the
Americans.
After a few minutes, Egan waves the two other men up and
they crawl forward through the jungle. There they spot a
Japanese camp, lit by campfires. Numerous tents and a truck
are nearby. Japanese officers make their evening rounds,
talking amongst themselves. Namuro listens intently.
EGAN (whispering)
Let’s go back.
The three Marauders crawl back to the river and cross. Egan
briefs members of the platoon.
EGAN (whispering)
There’s probably a company up there. We’ll cross
here, 1st squad, go left. The rest, follow me.
CONTINUED:
61.
Kill anything that moves, and keep moving forward.

We’ll be outnumbered, so hit hard and fast.
The Marauders nod. They and several Kachins cross the river
in three lines, slowly, quietly. They crawl forward in squad
formations, moving to different parts of the clearing.
The sky begins to lighten. Egan surveys the line - first

squad gives him a thumbs up. He turns to Kurtz, who nods.
EGAN (yelling)
GO! GO!
The 40 men of the I&R platoon surge forward in the early

dawn light, firing at any visible target. Vita uses his
Thompson to cut down a Japanese soldier exiting a tent, then
sprays it, eliciting SCREAMS of pain. He hits another
Japanese soldier in the face with his weapon, pumping
several rounds into his prostrate body.
Graham roars as he attempts to bayonet a Japanese officer,

who expertly avoids the thrust and grabs the rifle. They go
to ground, grappling with each other. Then, Kurtz
intervenes, kicking the man in the face and shooting him in
the HEAD with his shotgun. He stares at Graham for a half
second, then both men move on.
Velez comes to a ditch covered by a tarp. Ripping it open,

he finds two young Japanese soldiers, COWERING in fear. He
hesitates for a moment, then shoots both of them with his
carbine and moves forward.
The Marauders continue to advance, gunning down fleeing and

panicked Japanese soldiers. Several Marauders methodically
mow down Japanese soldiers trapped in a small ravine
bordering the camp. Kurtz beats a Japanese soldier to death
with the butt of his shotgun, spraying BLOOD across his
filthy uniform.
As the battle settles, Marauders search the dead Japanese

for souvenirs and intelligence. The Kachins smile and cut
watches and other trinkets from the bodies. Velez walks the
CONTINUED: (2)
battlefield, looking at the dead bodies, focusing on the

young ones he gunned down in a ditch.
62.
TURLEY
That was a damn fine raid Lieutenant, damn fine.
EGAN
I’ll radio this into battalion and we’ll keep
moving. The road is about 3 miles to the
southwest, correct?
TURLEY
Yes. But the Japanese know you’re here now.
They’re going to fight for every yard.
Egan nods. The gaunt and worn Marauders move out of the
ruined Japanese camp and back into the jungle.
Graham, Turley, and two Kachins lead the column into the
jungle, moving cautiously and looking for tracks.
KURTZ
Have to keep moving boys. When you’re behind enemy
lines, speeds your only hope.
The Marauders hear noise and Graham cautions the platoon to

halt. He inches forward, M-1 at the ready. Then, he yells
out in shock and almost stumbles back: a large elephant
herd runs away from them, frightened by the human presence.
The Kachins laugh.
EGAN
How you holding up at the point Private?
GRAHAM
Good sir, good.
EGAN
We’ll rotate you back shortly.
GRAHAM (annoyed)
Sir, I can hack it.
CONTINUED:
EGAN
I know you can Private.
63.
The column moves on, alternately traveling through the dense

jungle and along the trail. Graham moves through the dark
growth and shadow, soaked in sweat, eyes wide open.
The Marauders reach the edge of a large clearing and take

ten, drinking water and eating rations. Vita sits on a tree
stump and hungrily forks runny instant eggs into his mouth,
sweat pouring down his face. He suddenly drops it and picks
up his Thompson.
VITA (whisper)
QUIET!
The other Marauders take up arms. In the clearing, Vita sees

two Japanese soldiers, one of whom wears an officer’s cap,
while the other carries a radio. Graham and Velez join him,
drawing a bead on the enemy.
VITA (whisper)
Sir, how do you want to play it?
EGAN
Simple. Graham, Velez, shoot them.
Graham takes aim at the officer, who is now only 40-50 yards
away. He fires, hitting the man in the chest. He and Velez
then shoot down the radio man. Unseen Japanese
soldiers return fire from the jungle, and a bigger skirmish
begins, with Marauders returning fire. Two Japanese soldiers
race out into the clearing and attempt to lift and bring
back their wounded officer.
VELEZ (yelling)
They’re trying to pull him back!
Graham takes careful aim and kills both rescuers. One by

one, Japanese soldiers break into the clearing, attempting
to save their friends or the officer. Graham methodically
guns them down with his M-1. After his tenth kill, the
firing ceases.
CONTINUED: (2)
VITA
64.
Jesus, that was some good shooting Joe. Like

bowling pins. Don’t know if they’re brave or
stupid.
Egan slaps Graham on the shoulder. Graham looks on blank-

eyed as the Marauders move cautiously into the field. As
they approach the officer and radio man, Namuro hears noise
from the headset.
NAMURO
Sir, his radio still works.
Namuro dons the headset and listens. After several seconds,

he queues the handset and responds in perfect Japanese.
After several exchanges, he turns the radio off.
EXT. BURMESE JUNGLE TRAIL – DAY
Along a jungle path, Colonel Tanaka studies a map on a table

along with several of other officers. They motion at several
small US flags, making clear their intention to isolate and
surround the Marauders. Behind them, thousands of Japanese
soldiers are advancing, some carrying heavy machine guns and
mortars through the searing tropical heat.
NAMURO (V.O)
Sir, sounds like this was a scouting party. The
Japanese know we’re coming for the road and are
moving up in force, two battalions. They’re a
kilometer to the south.
EGAN
Shit. Get me the radio.
Egan briefs his superiors as the men exchange concerned

glances. Others, increasingly feverish and exhausted, lean
against trees or sat in the dirt, desperate to avoid the
midday heat.
EGAN
Alright, here it is. The battalion is moving back
to a village called Nphum Ga, 10 miles to the
CONTINUED:
65.
northeast. We’re gonna pull back on the double and

meet them there. There’s about 7,000 Japs right
behind us, so we need to move fast.
The Marauders fall out and start hiking.
VITA
Hey sergeant, I’m not used to retreating.
Shouldn’t we be going at the Japs?
KURTZ
Hey Private, unless you think you can kill a
thousand Japs, shut up and keep moving.
VITA
Maybe not a thousands, but..
KURTZ
I said move!
EXT. BURMESE JUNGLE - NIGHT
The I&R platoon continues their retreat at night, stumbling

through the dimly lit jungle. A rain storm adds to their
misery. Men fall out of formation and to the ground, only
to be picked up by their comrades, who hobble on with them.
In the daytime heat, Velez mutters to himself, and falls to

his knees on the side of a trail. Oren comes up the column
and puts Velez on his shoulder.
OREN
Come on soldier, let’s keep moving.
Egan talks on the radio, looking ahead, drenched in sweat,

his face white. He turns to the men.
CONTINUED:
EGAN
66.
Men, got about a mile to go to the village. We’re

just going to push it and get there ASAP. Let’s
move.
The ragged column of several dozen Marauders--including two

on litters--marches on and reaches a clearing. The muddy
path stretches for several hundred yards, slightly uphill,
and is bracketed by larger mountains. The platoon starts the
climb slowly.
EXT. BURMESE HILLTOP – DAY
Unbeknownst to the fleeing Marauders, their transit is being

observed by Colonel Tanaka and several other Japanese
soldiers from a nearby hill. Tanaka brings down his
binoculars and signals to his rear.
TANAKA
Fire!
EXT. BURMESE JUNGLE TRAIL - DAY
Suddenly, an artillery shell slams into the line, blowing

one Marauder to PIECES. It comes in on a flat trajectory and
provides no warning. Then, a high-velocity shell comes
in SCREAMING, blowing up just yards from the line. Marauders
yell out.
KURTZ
THEY HAVE US DIALED IN!
EGAN (screaming)
GO! GO!
The battered platoon sprints to cover. Cruelly, the rain has

turned the trail to MUD, slowing their run. Additional
shells come in, shrapnel tearing into struggling Marauders.
Several men are blown to pieces, their corpses flying and
landing in the tall grass. Graham keeps his eyes on the
trail and runs, finally making it to the jungle.

EXT. NPHUM GA - EARLY EVENING

67.
The ragged I&R platoon stumbles past foxholes manned by

Marauders of the 2nd Battalion. The small village of Nphum
Ga is filthy, consisting of a few abandoned shacks and pits,
spanned by two high points. Hundreds of weary, dirty
Marauders dig foxholes, trenches, and fill sandbags. A
ragged and worn Major LATRELL, (40), greets Lieutenant Egan.
LATRELL
Lieutenant, pleased your platoon made it.
EGAN
We need water sir.
LATRELL
I’ll spare what we have, but it ain’t much. Hoping
to get an airdrop tomorrow. I need you men
to reinforce the line on the east, covering the
well.
EGAN
When do we expect relief sir?
LATRELL
Well, the rest of the 5307 is on its way, but
we’re on our own for now.
Egan looks at him for several seconds, distressed, then

salutes. He rejoins the men.
EGAN
Men, sit tight, we’re going to be here for a
while. That Japs are coming at us in force. I want
deep fox holes and good fields of fire. You need
anything, you talk to me or your NCOs. Got it?
I&R PLATOON
Yes sir!
The men break up and begin to walk to their new positions.

Velez walks over to Kurtz.
CONTINUED:
VELEZ
68.
Hey sergeant, what was all that about always

moving, always attacking, fighting differently?
Seems like we’re sitting ducks here.
KURTZ
Velez, shut up.
EXT. NPHUM GA - EARLY EVENING
Across the line, hundreds of Marauders including an

exhausted Private Graham hurriedly dig fox holes and
trenches. Officers check lines of fire and instruct on
proper emplacement. In the --
COMMAND POST
Several officers speak into the radio, providing updates to

headquarters.
Nearby, dozens of Marauders lie on ponchos in the makeshift—
INFIRMARY
shivering from fever. Harried medics apply bandages and

offer sips of water.
Several Marauders on the--
FRONT LINE
Including Velez use a rope to bring up a pail of dirty water

from a hole in the earth.
Vita walks the trench line carrying a spade, his face lined
with dirt and sweat.
CONTINUED:
VITA
69.
Hey, did ya hear? The Japs cut the road north.

Nothing but hundreds of Jap soldiers and jungles
out there, for miles.
GRAHAM
Sounds like the Alamo.
VITA
Velez, this feel like the Alamo? Figure your grand
pop was there. Outside the walls, or in?
Velez shrugs off the joke and keeps digging.
Overhead, a half-dozen C-47s fly over, dumping metallic

supply canisters on the eager Marauders, who race to gather
them.
VELEZ
Didn’t have those in the Alamo.
As the Marauders distribute the supplies, the first Japanese

artillery shells land. Dozens of soldiers lunge for their
foxholes. The artillery intensifies, joined by mortar fire
from the Japanese units that now ring the Marauders’
position.
EGAN
GET DOWN!
The Marauders of the I&R platoon hunker down. The artillery

falls in waves - heavy shells with a tell-tale scream, and
flat-trajectory rounds that EXPLODE with no warning. The
steady THUD of heavy and light mortars keep Marauder heads
down, tossing up dirt and mud.
Several horses and mules are hit, their screams mixing with
the desperate calls of wounded Marauders.
EXT. NPHUM GA – FRONTLINES - DAWN
The Japanese launch their first attacks. Groups of 10 to 20

Japanese soldiers rush out from the jungle, their advance
covered by machine guns that rake the Marauder lines.
CONTINUED:
KURTZ
70.
HERE THEY COME!
The Marauders stand up in their pits and open up despite the

hail of incoming fire. Walls of tracer rounds SMACK into the
Japanese skirmishers, ripping them apart. The Japanese
machine gunners and snipers continue to fire, taking down
several Marauders.
Japanese bodies begin to pile up just 10-20 yards from

Marauder positions. Despite being shot in the chest, one
Japanese soldier ranges forward and skewers a Marauder with
his BAYONET. Egan turns with his .45 in hand and fires into
the Japanese soldier’s head.
A Japanese grenade lands at the edge of the foxhole of a

Marauder BAR man, sending hot steel into his face and
flinging him back SCREAMING.
GRAHAM aims carefully and fires off rounds, dropping several

attackers. The Japanese attack flags and the mortar fire
resumes, sending Marauders to the bottom of their holes.
EXT. NPHUM GA - FRONTLINE - DAY
Japanese attacks hit other parts of the Marauder lines.

Again the Marauders hold firm, slaughtering dozens of
attackers with their M-1s, BARs, Thompsons, and .30 light
machine guns. Incoming artillery lands amidst several
Marauders and mules, leaving a horrific scar of gore.
VELEZ
Goddamn, keep coming, they keep comin.
GRAHAM
Trying to find a weak spot in the line.
Graham and Velez dig deeper, taking cover as another mortar

shell strikes. Doc Oren does his rounds, checking the men
and handing out bandages. He jumps into Velez and Graham’s
fox hole.
CONTINUED:
OREN
You boys alright?
71.
Graham looks at him, hollow-eyed.
OREN
I know, I know. I wish I could do more for...
Oren’s words falter, and he almost collapses to the ground.

Graham grabs and steadies him. He is wracked with fever and
drenched in sweat.
GRAHAM
Doc! You alright?
OREN (muttering)
I’m alright, I’m alright.
Egan spies the event from his nearby foxhole.
EGAN
Graham, take Doc to the infirmary.
Graham puts Oren on his shoulder and walks to the small –
INFIRMARY
It contains dozens of men on cots and the floor. Several are

shaking or delusional with horrendous fevers or wounds. Many
lay in the dirt, their moans stopping Graham in his tracks.
He leaves Oren with a weary medic, who puts him on a tarp.
On his way back to the line, Graham sees Father Colson

preparing to hold mass with kneeling Marauders.
COLSON
Join us Private?
GRAHAM
I’m not Catholic.
COLSON
I’m not taking a census young man. Join if you’d
like.
CONTINUED: (2)
Colson gives a short prayer and crosses each man, even as

random rifle shots continue on the periphery.
72.
EXT. NPHUM GA – MARAUDER FRONTLINE - EVENING
Graham and Velez man their foxhole. To their left, Kurtz and
Vita share another, the .30 machine gun positioned there.
Egan is behind them, scanning the front with binoculars in
the low moon light. The water hole is ten yards to the rear.
Graham is nodding off, his face soaked despite the cool
night.
VELEZ
Hey, hey, stay awake Joe.
GRAHAM (startled)
Yeah, yeah.
EXT. NPHUM GA – JAPANESE FRONTLINE – EVENING
Hundreds of Japanese soldiers lie flat against the dirt, lit

faintly in white by the moon. Tanaka, crouching, moves
amongst them, staring at the distant Marauder line.
TANAKA (whispering)
They are tired, they are sick, they are weak.
They cannot stop you, if you are determined. Keep
moving forward. Slaughter them like dogs. Death
before failure.
EXT. NPHUM GA – MARAUDER FRONTLINE - EVENING
INCOMING artillery sends the Marauders to ground. More

rounds hit, shooting up PLUMES of dirt. Then, horrifying
screams and yells come from hundreds of Japanese soldiers
who make a mad dash for the line.
Graham and other Marauders begin firing into the attacking

mass, seeking out targets in the FLICKERING WHITE LIGHT of
illumination flares and explosions.
Vita leans into the machine gun, the long-stream of TRACER

ROUNDS mowing down Japanese soldiers just yards away. Still
CONTINUED:
the Japanese come, SCREAMING and throwing grenades and

firing wildly.
73.
Two Japanese soldiers make it to Graham and Velez’s foxhole.

Graham kills one with a rifle round in the gut but the other
dives in. Velez pushes him face down into the dirt and beats
him ferociously with a TRENCH SHOVEL, frantically bashing
his skull in.
A mortar round lands near the two men, blowing Graham out of
the hole. He is STUNNED and DEAFENED. He looks up and sees
Namuro yelling at him to crawl back to him. Despite the
concussion, Graham moves back to Namuro’s foxhole and jumps
in. Righting himself, he begins to fire again at the
Japanese while realizing Velez has been overrun. He
frantically grabs Namuro’s shoulder.
GRAHAM (screaming)
ALEX! ALEX!
Namuro nods and races forward, firing his Thompson and

putting three rounds into the chest of a Japanese soldier.
Graham follows him and jumps into his previous foxhole.
Velez is tangled at bottom, covered in the BLOODY body of a

dying Japanese soldier.
GRAHAM (screaming)
We gotta get back! Let’s go!
He pulls Velez to his feet and they run back, Namuro running
backwards and firing at onrushing Japanese. The party dives
into a trench next to Egan, who is firing his Thompson and
barking orders.
EGAN (screaming)
Pour it on!
Private Vita loads another belt into the machine gun and
fires away, strafing four Japanese soldiers in rapid
succession. The rounds THUD with impact, knocking the enemy
soldiers back into the mud.
CONTINUED: (2)
Down the line, Marauders rake the Japanese rush, their

bullets shattering enemy bodies. Still, the Japanese tide
inches forward.
74.
Tanaka reaches a Marauder foxhole and kills a GI with his

pistol. Another Japanese soldier THROWS himself at Vita’s
machine gun and bayonets its loader. Vita grabs his Thompson
and riddles the assaulter, TEARING him apart.
A Japanese soldier is shot several times in front of Graham

and Egan but manages to toss a hand grenade, its shrapnel
downing a nearby Marauder.
Egan surveys his platoon’s increasingly tenuous position.

Despite the crumbling line, his face is unnaturally CALM as
he makes a desperate decision.
EGAN (yelling)
Pull back! Pull back!
The Marauders retreat in good order, firing and moving back

into the darkness towards the battalion’s interior lines.
The Japanese are bloodied and settle in their newly-won
positions for the night. Tanaka and several Japanese
soldiers move into a foxhole and kill a wounded Marauder
with bayonets.
Vita falls back into a trench, a STEAMING .30 machine gun in

his arms. He SHAKES violently and uncontrollably.
EGAN (to VITA)

Private, you alright?
VITA (upset)
Yeah...yeah...just can’t stop shaking, I can’t
stop! God…God damn it!
EXT. NPHUM GU - FRONTLINES - DAY
Graham is FILTHY and EXHAUSTED. He surveys the gray post-

battle landscape, covered with Japanese and animal corpses.
Random small arms fire breaks out in the distance. Several
Marauders appear asleep or shake from fever. Others fill
their canteens from brown puddles of rainwater.
CONTINUED:
MEDIC
Don’t drink that, it’ll rot your guts out.
75.
SOLDIER
We got nothing else doc.
SOLDIER #2
I can’t breathe doc, I can’t breathe anymore.
MEDIC
Let’s get a litter for this man.
GRAHAM
You good Pete?
Vita smokes a cigarette and stares into the distance, his

gaze empty. He doesn’t bother answering. Graham stares at
him, troubled.
EXT. NPHUM GU - FRONTLINES - NIGHT
The Marauders are on the line, staring into the dark jungle.
Lieutenant Egan gets into Graham and Velez’s foxhole.
EGAN
Evening. Just need a few more days of fighting
from you boys. I’m doing all I can to get some
more supplies up here.
GRAHAM (wearily)
We know sir. You can count on us.
EGAN
Still happy you volunteered?
Graham forces a smile. Velez is feverish but grins.
VELEZ (shaking)
Weather’s not so bad. Food could be better.
Egan smiles.
CONTINUED:
GRAHAM
Sir, I never asked you. Where are you from?
EGAN
76.
Small fishing town, north of Boston.
GRAHAM
Nice place?
Egan pauses.
EGAN
You know Private, between this and Guadalcanal,
can’t say I remember it very well. But it was
alright. Cold.
The men momentarily lose themselves in memories of home.
EGAN
Anyway, you boys stay strong. We...
SOLDIER
GRENADE!
An EXPLOSION erupts in a nearby foxhole. Egan and Graham

rush over to find a wounded Marauder convulsing, his chest
torn open by shrapnel. They attempt to stop the bleeding
with their hands as he CRIES out in agony. Suddenly, he
stops shaking, his body relaxing as he dies.
GRAHAM (yelling, hysterically)

Goddamn sneak attacks. Goddamn Japs!
Vita and Kurtz smoke cigarettes in their foxhole. Both men

drift asleep. Just 10 yards in front of them, a Japanese
soldier stumbles out from the dark, SICK, attempting to find
his foxhole. He grunts to himself, moving drunkenly from one
spot to another. Near their foxhole, he begins to undo his
pants to piss.
VITA (surprised)
HOLY SHIT!
CONTINUED: (2)
Kurtz wakes up and instinctively raises his shotgun, firing

a shell that cuts the enemy soldier in half. Both Kurtz and
Vita, SHOCKED, look at the body, then each other.
77.
VITA
Guy musta been sick or something.
KURTZ
This place is making us all crazy.
EXT. NPHUM GA - FRONTLINES - DAY
A platoon of Japanese soldiers charge from the jungle.

Marauder fire decimates them but more advance over the
BODIES of the fallen. A Marauder defender is shot in the
FACE and reels back into his trench.
Another Marauder mounts a Japanese soldier in a trench and

strangles him. Japanese artillery vaporizes two Marauders in
a foxhole. Graham methodically fires his rifle at Japanese
soldiers.
GRAHAM (gritting his teeth)

They keep coming.
VELEZ
We’re gonna run out of ammo before they run out of
bodies.
EXT. NPHUM GA - FRONTLINES - NIGHT
Namuro crawls slowly through the broken ground. Ahead of

him, he hears JAPANESE voices. He crawls forward. Then, he
moves carefully back to the Marauder line and Egan.
NAMURO
Sir, they’re coming on the right flank, two
platoons.
Egan nods and slaps Namuro on the back.
EGAN
Goddamn bravest man out here.
CONTINUED:
At 2300 an American flare goes up, its flickering WHITE

LIGHT revealing several dozen Japanese advancing stealthily.
The Marauders spot them and open fire, massacring the
attackers.
78.
Graham pats Namuro on the shoulder as they stare out at a

dozen dead Japanese bodies.
The Marauders cheer as several C-47’s fly over, dropping

supplies. Vita and Velez run over to one and open it up,
finding wrapped packages of ammunition, plastic sleeves of
water, and paper cartons of FRIED CHICKEN.
NAMURO
Fried chicken!
The men including Graham distribute the food and DEVOUR it.
As they eat, they take out other supplies including books.
NAMURO
Hey Joe, you’re a reader. Why don’t you tell us
what this one is about?
Namuro flips tosses over a book whose cover includes a

scantily clad woman - a French porno novel. Even weary and
diseased, the book gets a laugh from the men. Velez readers
from an edition of Stars and Stripes.
VELEZ
Says here that Marlene Dietrich was in Italy for a
USO show. Think I might write her a letter, see if
she wants to come to Burma and entertain some boys
who really need it.
VITA
Marlene Dietrich wouldn’t see you if you were in a
suite in the Ritz. You think she’s going to come
out in all this?
VELEZ
Worth a shot, I got a way with words.
Graham and Velez sit in a--
Trench
79.
The men clean their weapons and chat lazily.
VELEZ
Roast chicken.
GRAHAM
Ribs.
VELEZ
Steak fajitas.
GRAHAM
Don’t even know what that is. But it sounds good.
VELEZ (smiling)
It is.
Major Latrell finds Egan in his foxhole, cleaning horrendous

SORES on his leg.
LATRELL
You should probably get that checked out
Lieutenant.
EGAN
It’s alright sir.
LATRELL
Listen, we need your boys to go out tomorrow
morning and see if you can find a seam in the Jap
lines. 1st and 3rd battalion are a few miles away
and doing their damndest to break through to us,
but we have to help. I want your platoon to go
east and see if you can reach them.
EGAN
Yes sir, on it.
CONTINUED:
Latrell leaves. Kurtz overhears the conversation and turns

to Egan.
KURTZ
80.
We breaking out of here sir?
EGAN
We’ll try like hell.
EXT. NPHUM GA - JUNGLE - DAWN
The I&R platoon moves stealthily through thick jungle and

along a small RIVER. Every move is measured, every man on
alert. Two Japanese soldiers walk nonchalantly to the river.
They set up a cookstove and begin cooking rice.
Egan points to the two men and makes a “move around” hand
motion. Kurtz nods, and he and several Marauders move
through the brush. Kurtz and another Marauder jump out and
brutally knife both men, cutting their throats or stabbing
them in the heart.
Then, they look to their right and see a startled Japanese

soldier emerging from the jungle carrying a bag of rice. He
drops it and unslings his rifle.
JAPANESE SOLDIER (in Japanese)

HELP!
GRAHAM (whispering)
Shit.
Kurtz quickly lifts his shotgun and fires into the Japanese
soldier’s chest. The loud BOOM elicits Japanese yells.
EGAN
Fan out, backs to the river!
The practiced platoon quickly sets up a perimeter in the

jungle. Firefights begin as Japanese soldiers stumble into
the line.
Vita cuts a bewildered enemy down with his Thompson. A

Marauder armed with a BAR kneels and fires in short bursts,
CONTINUED:
killing two advancing soldiers, the heavy rounds THUDDING

through the bodies.
EGAN (in radio)

81.
We’re in contact!
The attacks become more ferocious. Several Japanese soldiers

begin to return fire, killing one Marauder with a shot to
the neck. A Japanese Nambu machine gun opens up, SPLINTERING
trees. Kurtz flings a hand grenade at the group, killing or
wounding several.
He then lifts his shotgun but is shot several times in the

chest, falling into the mud with a loud groan.
VELEZ
Fuck! Sergeant!
Velez runs to Kurtz and puts his hands on his chest,

attempting to stop the GUSHING BLOOD. Around them the fire
has intensified, wounding others and SPLASHING into the
river.
Graham fires at Japanese soldiers darting tree to tree,

dropping one. But several new lines of Japanese begin to
move up, firing rapidly. Graham looks back to Egan.
GRAHAM (yelling)
Sir, got at least a platoon out there, coming up
on the right!
Egan nods. Realizing they are outnumbered and in danger of

being overrun, he grabs the radio.
EGAN (in radio)

Sir, we’re pulling back to base!
EGAN
Pull back! Get the wounded and move back!
Egan stands from his crouch and fires several long bursts
from his Thompson, helping cover the men as they disengage.
Graham and Velez grab Kurtz and carry him through the
jungle as he moans and grits his teeth. Japanese rounds
SMACK against nearby trees.
CONTINUED: (2)
GRAHAM (struggling)
We’ll get you back Sergeant. Stay with us.

82.
The I&R platoon rushes through the jungle clearing and back
to the frontline of Nphum Ga. Sergeant Kurtz is ashen and
passed out.
GRAHAM (yelling)
Medic, medic!
Graham and Velez set Kurtz on the ground. A medic checks his
pulse and surveys his wounds. Kurtz looks up and shakes his
head. He grabs and holds Egan’s hand, desperately. His face
softens as he dies.
GRAHAM
Can’t you...can’t you…
MEDIC
He’s gone Private.
The I&R platoon gather around and look down at their veteran
battle leader. Egan lowers his head, defeated. The men stare
in silence, except for Vita, who sobs.
EGAN (muttering)
Best goddamn fighter…best soldier I ever knew.
VITA (mumbling)
We’re never getting out of here. We’re all dead.
EXT. NPHUM GA - INFIRMARY - DAY
Graham and Velez carry Kurtz’s body in a litter to the

infirmary. A harried orderly points them over to a pile of
Marauder bodies. As they place him there, they see Doc Oren
in the pile.
GRAHAM
Goddamn it.
CONTINUED:
Velez somberly covers Oren’s face with a blanket.
EXT. NPHUM GA - FRONT LINES - NIGHT

83.
Graham and Velez sit in their foxhole and stare out at the
dark jungle. Distant explosions and an odd tracer round
light the night.
GRAHAM
Haven’t attacked in a day or two, I think. Maybe
they’re done.
VELEZ (teeth chattering)

Joe. I think you should have stayed in Tennessee.
GRAHAM
Chow hall twice a day beef and gravy. Not the
best, but ok. And home cooking.
VELEZ
Mom. Wonder what my mom...
Graham falls asleep on that thought, his face illuminated by

a distant FLARE, floating into the jungle.
EXT. NPHUM GA - FRONT LINES - MORNING
Heavy gunfire and explosions from the jungle wake the

Marauders. Then, in the distance, the sight of Americans
coming through, waving at the frontline. A tempered cheer
goes up from the men of the I&R platoon.
EGAN
Must be 3rd battalion, they got through! The
Japanese are pulling out.
The response is muted as battle fatigue and the loss of

comrades prevents most from celebrating. Vita keeps his eyes
on the frontline, still tense.
Marauders pile up hundreds of dead Japanese soldiers and

pack animals. A GI uses a flamethrower to torch the corpses,
emitting an endless black cloud that obscures the tropical
sun. Others lay on the ground, suffering from illness and
84.
wounds. Cargo planes fly overhead, dropping supplies.

Graham, Namuro, Vita, and Velez eat hungrily from a ration
tin, their filthy uniforms replaced with new fatigues.
NAMURO
16 days. 16 days in this shit.
VITA
Feels like two years.
VELEZ
Least we got some grub now, water. And fresh duds.
GRAHAM
Yeah, paradise.
A clerk walks through the line of resting Marauders, handing

out mail from a sack. Marauders reach out and take letters
as their name is called.
SOLDIER
Mail here! Cappes...Graham...Kurtz? Sergeant
Kurtz?
EGAN (grimly)
I’ll take it private.
Graham opens his letter, written in clear script.
FATHER’S VOICE (V.O.)

Dear son. I hope this letter finds you safe and
healthy. Despite our disagreements, it is very
important to your mother and I that you know we
love you.
Graham looks up with tears in his eyes. The smoke from cook
fires and dead bodies obscures his vision as he looks into
the jungle.
CONTINUED:
VELEZ
Anything good Joe?
GRAHAM
Just good to hear from home.
85.
Velez nods, his face softened by emotion.
VELEZ
Never thought I’d be happy to read about my
brother’s screw ups.
The two men reread their letters. Velez looks up from the
page.
VELEZ (wistfully)
Just wished I had won that poker hand, now.
GRAHAM
You sure? You would have missed all this
adventure.
VELEZ
I’d be alright with that.
INT. NPHUM GA - MARAUDER COMMAND POST - DAY
Egan enters the drab army-green command tent and salutes

Lieutenant Colonel Dever, (45), a soft-face, older officer.
Several other Marauder officers are in attendance.
EGAN
Sir, good to meet you.
DEVER
Lieutenant. Your men have done some great work out
there. We’re all real proud.
EGAN
Yes sir. But we’ve paid for it. Most of the men I
have left are ill. We need to evacuate them and
get some doctors out here. Food too.
CONTINUED:
DEVER
We’re going to get them all the help they need.
But you’ve got a new mission.
Egan is exasperated. Dever points to a map.

86.
DEVER
Five days ago, the Brits launched an offensive
against the Japanese from northern India. Since
General Stilwell doesn’t want us to miss out, you
boys and the Chinese will push out for Myitkyina
in two days. You’ll cross the Kumon Mountains,
then move on the airfield. We think the Japanese
are collapsing, so we don’t expect much
resistance.
MARAUDER OFFICER
Sir, those mountains, the Kachins tell us they’re
impossible to cross. The Brits did as well. That’s
almost seventy miles through...
DEVER
Now Captain, I know it will be hard going, but the
general is sure you can hack it.
EGAN
Does General Stilwell plan to visit us, sir? As I
told you, most of my men have malaria, dysentery,
and typhus. They could die if…
DEVER (upset)
Lieutenant, we’re committed to making this happen.
So let’s fire up the men and get on the road. If
they need motivation, let ‘em know we’ll fly them
out once they take the airfield. Oh, and one final
note, I’ve noticed a lot of them haven’t shaved
and are ignoring uniform standards. I want them
looking sharp. That’s all.
The meeting breaks, the mood and follow-on conversations

negative.
EXT. NPHUM GA - DAY
Egan walks back to his platoon, the men busy checking

weapons and cleaning wounds and sores.
EGAN
87.
Gather up. Received word from HQ, we’re moving out

in two days. Our target is Myitkyina, about 70
miles…
The men grimace, but no one speaks. Graham is stone-faced.
EGAN (CONT’D)
Before any of you mutiny, I’ve been assured that
once we take the airfield, we’ll be brought back
to India and out of theater. So rest up, get as
much grub as you can.
Vita looks down at the ground, pondering the news.
GRAHAM
Pete?
Frustration is etched on Vita’s face.
VITA
See Joe, that’s why you never think about going
home. The Japs, the fucking generals, they aren’t
gonna let a unit like this have a happy ending.
No. Mark my words Joe, to the last man.
EXT. BURMESE JUNGLE - KUMON MOUNTAINS - DAY
A column of Marauders and Chinese soldiers stretches for

miles into the jungle, the MASSIVE Kumon mountains looming
in the distance. The force begins to climb, slowed by the
steep slopes and reluctant mules. Soldiers struggle to
navigate the narrow and jagged paths. A mule laden with
supplies loses its footing and falls thousands of feet to
its death. The men including Vita and Graham rest as monsoon
rains fall.
GRAHAM
Egan said no Army ever crossed this range.
CONTINUED:
VITA
Yeah, no shit. No one would be fucking stupid
enough to try.
88.
The rains pass and the men sit soaked in the blazing heat,
eating rations. One man falls asleep, sick. A medic checks
him. Graham and Velez sit next to each other, silent, their
gazes empty. A nearby Marauder shakes, complicating his
eating.
The Marauders march into the jungle. The force continues to

shrink as men fall out on the trail, horribly ill.
The Marauders walk by a dead Japanese soldier on the side of

the trail, his skin white. Velez studies the frail,
emaciated Japanese soldier, whose dead eyes remain open in
shock.
VELEZ
Musta dropped from fever, starved to death. Poor
bastard.
The Marauders move forward to a large hill that emerges from

the fog, blocking their path. The sounds of battle can be
heard, and thick black smoke rises from the area. Major
Latrell catches up to Egan at the head of the column.
LATRELL (panting)
Lieutenant, got a mission for your boys.
Egan turns, concerned.
LATRELL
The Chinese are attacking the Japs at the crest of
the hill but they’re catching hell. You and 2nd
platoon are going to maneuver to the rear of the
hill, climb it, and flush the Japs out.
EGAN
How many are up there sir?
CONTINUED:
LATRELL
Probably a hundred, no more. The ascent will be
the hard part. But I know you can handle it.
89.
Egan looks back at his ragged platoon, sitting in the mud.
EGAN
Yes sir, we’re on it.
EXT. THE HILL - NIGHT
Several dozen Marauders begin to climb the steep hillside,

full of sharp rocks and harsh inclines. Intermittent
fighting can be heard from the opposite side. Graham uses
his hands to pull Velez up to a ledge. Both men WINCE at the
exertion.
GRAHAM
Just another hour and we should be there.
Velez grimaces. Egan and several others move in parallel,

inching up the hill.
Several hundred yards up a Japanese patrol crests the hill

face. Illuminated by the moon, the Marauders press
themselves against the rock. Japanese soldiers look down and
spot them. The Japanese YELL out in alarm and open fire,
prompting the Marauders to respond.
EGAN (yelling)
KEEP MOVING UP!
Egan fires a burst up the hill. Graham and others attempt to

pick up the pace, scaling the rockface in the low light.
BLISTERED, FILTHY HANDS clutch sharp, slippery holds.
Japanese fire intensifies, rounds CRACKING off the rocks.

One Marauder, hit in the neck, falls backwards dozens of
feet to his death. Marauders urge each other on, pulling
themselves up ledges with BLOODY hands, drawing closer to
the Japanese.
Namuro and several others move higher to fire effectively on

the Japanese and begin blasting away. Graham reaches a
CONTINUED:
stable foothold and fires his M-1 at the enemy muzzle

flashes. He waves men upward.
90.
EXT. HILLSIDE - DAY
Graham, Namuro, and Velez are perched at the edge of the

hill with a dozen other Marauders. The rest of the force is
scattered down the hill. The midday heat has set in,
exhausting combatants on both sides. They exchange a few
rounds.
JAPANESE SOLDIERS (clumsy English)
YOU’LL DIE GI!
Several Marauders have collapsed from exertion and are being

hand carried to the rear. Velez fires a round from his
carbine, then staggers.
GRAHAM
I got you.
VELEZ (mumbling)
Joe...I can’t.
Velez collapses.
GRAHAM
Medic, medic up here!
The firefight becomes more intense as Velez mutters

incoherently in the mud.
VELEZ (mumbling)
Can’t….can’t...
Two Marauders with a stretcher make it up to Velez and throw

him on. They move slowly down the treacherous trail, dodging
rounds. Graham looks down nervously at his friend. Egan
yells into his radio.
EGAN (radio)
Yes sir, they have the high ground. We’re pushing
but we’re low on ammo...yes sir, I
understand...yes sir, we’ll keep going.
CONTINUED:
EGAN (CONT’D)
Goddamn it.
91.
Egan turns to nearby Marauders including Vita, Graham, and

Namuro.
EGAN (yelling)
Listen up. We have to get up there or we’re
finished. Bring the BAR up for cover. The rest of
you follow me.
VITA
Sir, they got the high ground. We’re gonna get
murdered…
EGAN
Open to better ideas private.
Vita stares ahead and chambers a round into his Thompson.

The two men look at each other, Vita’s natural
rebelliousness simmering below the surface.
VITA
No sir. I’m ready.
EGAN
Alright, let’s go then.
The BAR gunner strafes the unseen Japanese in the tree line.
Egan and a dozen Marauders clear the edge of the hilltop and
rush into the tree line. The Japanese fire picks up,
riddling several charging Marauders.
Egan nearly collides with a Japanese infantryman,

dispatching him up close with a burst from his Thompson.
Graham takes cover and shoots a Japanese soldier emerging
from a foxhole. His M-1 clip pops open with the familiar
CLANG. Another Japanese soldier spots him - Graham charges,
burying his bayonet into the man’s chest. Both men tumble
into a foxhole. Graham regains his balance, pulls the
bayonet out and RAMS it home again, covering himself in
blood.
The fight for the treeline devolves into savagery. A

Marauder smashes his opponent’s skull with a rifle butt,
CONTINUED: (2)
only to be stabbed in the back with a long Japanese bayonet.

That assailant is shot through by Vita, who then fires into
the jungle.
92.
Despite taking the treeline, incoming Japanese fire picks

up, machine guns CHOPPING and SPLINTERING the trees.
Japanese reinforcements start to move in. Egan is hit in the
arm and drops his Thompson. He reaches for his .45 pistol
and fires at the advancing Japanese. Namuro helps him up.
NAMURO
Sir, we have to pull back!
Egan surveys the Marauder line. The exhausted GIs fight

desperately but are steadily being overwhelmed. Graham
throws a hand grenade and keeps firing. Another Marauder
GURGLING, clutches at his throat, ripped apart by a Japanese
bullet.
EGAN (yelling at VITA)

Alright, Private, get the men back, we’ll cover
you!
Vita glares at Egan and grabs him.
VITA (yelling)
Lieutenant, YOU go back. I’ll cover!
Egan hesitates, looking into Vita’s eyes for a moment. He

stands up.
EGAN (yelling)
FALL BACK!
Graham and other Marauders begin to rush back to the

hillside. Namuro fires his Thompson to cover the retreat,
then helps Egan move back.
Vita loads his last clip. His face is oddly serene,

resolute. He rises and shoots down two Japanese soldiers.
Then, he charges into another, shooting him backward into a
foxhole. He fires one last time at a Japanese soldier
setting up a light machine gun, killing him.
CONTINUED: (3)
The Thompson CLICKS empty. Vita grabs a Japanese rifle and

lunges forward. He is shot in the stomach and stumbles, but
summons the energy to stab one final assailant. A barrage of
93.
Japanese bullets riddle Vita, knocking him down. Japanese

soldiers deliver the BRUTAL coupe de grace with bayonets.
EXT. BURMESE JUNGLE HILLSIDE - EARLY EVENING
The Marauders hunker down at the foot of the hill. They are
exhausted but not broken, reloading weapons and bandaging
wounds. Medics work to revive passed out GIs. Graham stares
up the hill.
Egan approaches Graham, his arm wrapped in a blood-soaked

bandage.
EGAN
Private.
GRAHAM
You alright sir?
EGAN
Yes, it went straight through. I saw Velez back at
the infirmary, he’s still breathing. They’re
flying him out.
Graham nods.
GRAHAM
Are we going back up sir?
EGAN
Not sure Private. Think it’s worth it?
Graham pauses, pondering the question.
GRAHAM
Not worth it sir. Lost a dozen men for nothing.
But we could take it.
Major Latrell moves down the trail and signals for Egan.
CONTINUED:
LATRELL
Heard you boys had a hell of a fight. How’s the
arm?
94.
EGAN
It’s fine sir. The Japs are dug in, there has to
be a battalion up there. We’ll need resupply and
artillery to push them off.
LATRELL
Well, the brass want you to take another shot
tonight.
Egan stares at Latrell in disbelief.
EGAN
Sir, it’s suicide!
LATRELL
Lieutenant…
EGAN (icily)
I will gladly go up there myself, but I am not
going to send these men up the hill. They are worn
to the bone. I won’t get them killed because a
three-star wants to win some pissing contest with
the Brits. My men haven’t had food in 24 hours and
are down to their last round. Get us support and
we’ll take that hill.
An uneasy silence passes between the two men.
LATRELL
I’ll pass your concerns up the chain.
EGAN (stone-faced)
Sir.
Egan rejoins the group of Marauders, who overheard the

conversation.
GRAHAM
Thank you, sir.
CONTINUED: (2)
EGAN
Nothing to thank me for Private. Just trying to
win the war.
95.
EXT. BURMESE JUNGLE TRAIL - DAY
The ragged Marauders move on through the jungle, the hill

distant, to the rear. Many are stumbling or leaning on their
comrades. They pass through a smoldering native village,
dead bodies strewn in the grass. A mother holds her dead
child, crying.
GRAHAM
Never thought I’d be happy to be back on the
trail.
NAMURO
Yeah, thank Egan for it. Heard he might get court
martialed for it.
GRAHAM
I’d give a lot to get court martialed right now.
Hey, what the hell happened here?
NAMURO
Looks like someone bombed the place.
GRAHAM
Us or the Japs?
NAMURO
Doesn’t matter.
EXT. OUTSIDE MYITKYINA AIRFIELD - DAY
The Marauders slowly crest a grass hill, guns at the ready.

A half-mile to the north lies Myitkyina airfield, a rugged
dirt airstrip and several concrete buildings. Japanese
trenches and machine gun positions form the perimeter.
EGAN
Better take a seat boys, our Chinese friends are
going to launch in a few minutes.
CONTINUED:
NAMURO
Like a ballgame.
96.
Namuro and Graham sit and look through binoculars. They spot
a small number of Japanese soldiers running frantically,
manning the trenches. Then, artillery BOOMs out and lands
around the airfield. Finally, surreally, bugles sound off,
signaling the Chinese attack.
Through the binoculars -- long lines of Chinese troops run

forward across the hill. Raging gunfire erupts as they
advance. Artillery and mortars explode on both sides of the
line.
The Chinese attack wave smashes into the thin line of

Japanese defenders and keeps sweeping forward into the
airfield. Marauders begin to cheer.
NAMURO (happy)
They did it!
The cheering gets louder. Graham joins in.
EXT. MYITKYINA AIRFIELD - DAY
C-47s begin to land on the airfield, disgorging food and

equipment. The I&R platoon rests in the sun, playing cards,
sleeping, or eating. Graham hungrily devours a K-ration. He
looks on as soldiers load body bags on the plane.
NAMURO
Save some of those for us Joe.
Graham smiles.
GRAHAM
When do you think we’re flying out of here?
NAMURO
Figure the Chinese will take the town in a day or
two, and then we pack out. Seems like the enemy is
done fighting.
CONTINUED:
Several high-ranking officers including Lieutenant Colonel

Dever and Major Latrell walk off a plane and past the
platoon, whose members salute unenthusiastically.
97.
GRAHAM (grumbling)
Glad they could fucking make it.
Behind the party is Alex Velez in a fresh uniform and

carrying new gear. Graham and Namuro are stunned, then
embrace their friend.
GRAHAM
The hell?
VELEZ
Some officers came into the infirmary and said
they needed men to rejoin the unit. Since my fever
was under 102 and I was awake, they threw me on a
plane. Good to see you guys. Where’s Pete?
GRAHAM
Dead. Right after you left.
VELEZ
Goddamn it.
GRAHAM
If they’re sending guys back...
NAMURO (grimly)
Yeah. Then we’re not leaving.
INT. MARAUDER COMMAND POST – MYITKYINA AIRFIELD - DAY
A Japanese aircraft hangar serves as the Marauder command

post, with maps on the walls. A Japanese flag remains up for
show. Two dozen officers are in the room, including the
newly-arrived Dever, Latrell, and Egan. Dever moves to the
head of the room.
DEVER
They said it couldn’t be done, but you boys pulled
it off. Damn fine work. In two days, the
CONTINUED:
Chinese will push up the three miles to Myitkyina

proper and clear out the Japanese. We’ll be on the
right flank in support, in case they run into
98.
trouble. We estimate the Japanese have only a few

hundred here, so should be a cakewalk.
EGAN
Sir, won’t the delay give the enemy a chance to
reinforce? We..
DEVER
General Stilwell and the staff back home have
thought this through, Lieutenant. The delay won’t
change anything. Alright, again men, good job.
The assembly breaks up. Egan makes a b-line for Dever and
Latrell.
EGAN (angry)
Colonel, with all due respect, we assured the men
they’d be done once the airfield was taken. Now
we’re moving them out again?
DEVER
Sometimes war works like that Lieutenant. And the
reports we receive say the 5307 is as combat
effective as ever.
Egan looks at Latrell, accusatorily.
EGAN (incredulous)
Sir, how can we...
LATRELL (abruptly)
Hold on, hold on, I apologize for Lieutenant
Egan’s outburst sir. Please..
DEVER
You know Lieutenant, I’ve had enough of this. If
the men had your attitude, we’d still be sitting
in India.
EGAN (enraged)
God damn it, you don’t deserve these men!
CONTINUED: (2)
Latrell physically restrains Egan and pulls him away.
LATRELL
99.
I apologize sir, the Lieutenant’s been through a

lot.
Dever scowls and walks away.
EGAN
Combat effective? How can he say that?
LATRELL (angry)
Lieutenant, you stand down right now or I will
have your bars!
EGAN
I don’t know who is sending those reports, but
tell them to visit the men, see how combat
effective they are. Or better yet, have ‘em visit
the fucking morgue!
Egan walks away in disgust.
EXT. MYITKYINA AIRFIELD - DAY
Egan walks to the assembled platoon.
EGAN
Men, gather around. Velez?
VELEZ
They sent me back sir, needed men who could walk.
Egan grimaces.
EGAN (CONT’D)
You know, they tell us in officer training that
leadership is about honesty. But many don’t learn
that lesson, so they lie to you. I won’t. In two
days we’re going to help the Chinese take
Myitkyina. I know you were promised a trip home
from this airfield, but that’s how it is. I know
you’ll give it your all. Until then, eat and
CONTINUED:
drink everything you can find and check your gear.

I don’t want any mistakes at this point.
100.
The men’s faces betray their anger, but no one argues.
NAMURO
Hey, at least we get two days. And maybe the
Chinese will take care of it.
GRAHAM
Yeah, maybe.
EXT. MYITKYINA AIRFIELD - NIGHT
Barrel and cook fires light the Marauder tents. Soldiers

write letters home, sharpen knives, and clean weapons. The
conversation is muted - no one laughs. Some of the men try
to sleep, shivering under their blankets. Others drink water
or alcohol.
In the sky, the sounds of unseen American aircraft

conducting bombing runs on the town can be heard. Graham and
Velez sit on cots, looking into the night. Velez is
shivering, still wracked with fever.
GRAHAM
You’re almost home Alex, just a few more days. We
watch the Chinese blow some more bugles, we’re in
India a week later with pretty British nurses and
all the medicine they can get in those veins.
VELEZ
I just want to stop shivering Joe. That’s all I
want.
Both men nod.
VELEZ
Did you write a last letter home? In case
something happens?
GRAHAM
Sent them one yesterday. Didn’t say much…can’t
imagine they’d understand this place.
CONTINUED:
Graham looks into a nearby fire and the Marauders huddled

around it. His FACE is illuminated.
101.
EXT. MYITKYINA – NIGHT
Dozens of cook fires light a large Japanese army camp. The

men of the 18th Division are filthy and starving, and many
tend to battle wounds. Tanaka walks among them – his uniform
is torn, his face dirty, his body emaciated.
TANAKA (loudly, in Japanese)

Attention!
Hundreds of Japanese soldiers rise as one, their discipline

intact.
TANAKA
We have fought together for many years. We have
seen great victories and defeats. We have seen our
comrades die proudly in battle. Tomorrow, we will
honor their memory. Despite the hardships,
tomorrow we will taste victory once more. We will
drive the Americans and their Chinese dogs into
the jungle. They will run at the sight of our
bayonets.
SOLDIERS (in unison)

Long live the Emperor!
TANAKA
We starve, we suffer, but we will never surrender.
We will not accept dishonor. We will slaughter the
foreign devils. Sleep well. Banzai!
Soldiers (in unison)

Banzai!
EXT. BURMESE SWAMP - DAY
The Marauder column moves down a muddy jungle path,

bracketed by an ancient swamp. Smoke rises in the distance.
CONTINUED:
The BOOMS of artillery and gun fire can be heard as the

Chinese attack the town two miles away. Warplanes buzz
102.
overhead. The Marauders’ pants are covered in gray and brown

mud, and the sun beats down on them.
EGAN
The Chinese are heading into the town. Let’s set
up here, machine gun covering the swamp to the
right. Fan out.
The Marauders set up on both sides of the trail, covering

the path as well as the swamplands. Egan monitors the radio
traffic, concern growing on his face.
From up the path, several hundred Chinese soldiers begin to

move quickly towards the Marauders. They are panicked,
running without discipline, many dropping their weapons. The
Marauders look on in disbelief as the Chinese hurry pass
them. Egan sees an American military advisor and grabs him.
GRAHAM
What the fuck is this?
EGAN
What’s going on here?
Led by Colonel Tanaka, a thousand Japanese soldiers of the

18th Division swarm out of the jungle, walking over the
corpses of dozens of Chinese soldiers. Smoke billows from
their ruined vehicles. Tanaka, his sword drawn, barks at his
men, waving them forward.
ADVISOR (V.O)
The Japs...they’re up there in force! Hundreds of
‘em! They stalled the attack and then hit us on
both sides. They’re coming this way!
EXT. BURMESE SWAMP - DAY
EGAN
God damn it.
CONTINUED:
The advisor rejoins the retreat and Egan GRABS the radio.
EGAN (angrily into radio)

103.
This is Egan, the Chinese are pulling back and the

Japs are moving down the trail for the airfield.
LATRELL (radio)
Say again Lieutenant? Are you sure?
EGAN (annoyed)
Yes sir, that’s what we hear. Our coordinates are…
Graham and several Marauders overhear the exchange. They

share grim looks.
EGAN (annoyed in radio)

We’ll hold here, slow them down. Appreciate any
air or artillery support. Over and out.
VELEZ (muttering)
Christ, we’re fucked.
Egan stands up and addresses the platoon.
EGAN
Alright, won’t sugar coat it - the Japanese are
coming in heavy to take the airfield. We have to
slow them down so the rest of the unit and the
Chinese can defend behind us. Let’s get digging,
ambush formations on the left and right.
The Marauders hurriedly dig foxholes, set up machine guns

and mortars, and pre-position ammunition. Velez struggles to
dig a combat position, his arms shaking with fever. Graham
intervenes, taking the shovel.
GRAHAM
I got it, I got it.
Velez sits down, spent.
CONTINUED: (2)
VELEZ
Hey Joe...promise me one thing. When I get it…
GRAHAM
You’re not going to get it.
104.
VELEZ
Just promise me. Say nice things about me, at my
funeral I mean? Leave out that stuff I said about
my brother.
Graham forces a smile.
EXT. BURMESE SWAMP - LATE AFTERNOON
The sun begins to set as the I&R platoon waits, formed like
a V around the trail. Their faces are tense. Graham is
sweating, staring into the jungle. All is silent except for
distant gunfire, the odd bird, and Graham’s own labored
BREATHING. Egan looks through binoculars.
Then, Graham sees the Japanese column. He turns to Velez,

whispers, but he is asleep, sick. The platoon tenses,
bringing their weapons up.
Graham fires first, sending a round right through the HEAD

of the lead Japanese officer. The .30 machine gun then opens
up, sending a scythe of TRACER rounds into the Japanese
line, shredding them.
All hell breaks loose as the 30 or so Marauders fire at

once, their fire slaughtering the Japanese. Some Japanese
dive for cover in the swamps, the water and mud slowing
them. Velez is now awake and fires his carbine. Graham takes
careful aim at a struggling Japanese soldier and shoots him
twice.
30 seconds later and the firing stops. The Marauders survey

the twenty dead or dying Japanese.
WOUNDED JAPANESE SOLDIER (moaning,

speaking in Japanese)
Help….help…
CONTINUED:
EGAN
Reload, reload, there’s more coming!
105.
The Marauders reload and check their weapons. The sun sets
further. Graham breathes faster as he looks through his
site.
Tanaka is at the lip of the swamp, organizing dozens of

Japanese soldiers moving up to the skirmish line. He looks
through his binoculars, scanning the Marauder positions.
Japanese mortar rounds then pour into the Marauder position

announced by SHRILL SCREAMS, blasting trees and sending up
geysers of swamp water. The Marauders press themselves into
the mud floor. Two heavy Japanese machine guns open up from
their side of the swamp, sending heavy rounds SMASHING into
trees around the Marauders.
JAPANESE SOLDIERS
BANZAI! BANZAI!
Hundreds of SCREAMING Japanese soldiers pour out of the

jungle onto the trail and through the swamp. The Marauders
fire everything they have, decimating the first wave of
sprinting attackers. Marauder mortars teams send small 60
mm rounds into the horde, killing several Japanese as they
wade across the water.
Marauders including Namuro, Graham, and Velez fire furiously

and reload as the Japanese pour in, drawing quickly to
within 20-30 yards. The incoming fire intensifies as
Japanese soldiers fire light machine guns, officers
directing them. A Marauder next to Egan is shot through the
head, his BLOOD and BRAINS spewing over the lieutenant.
NAMURO (yelling)
Sir, they’re moving on the left!
Namuro points out a column of Japanese soldiers who have

waded through the water and made it to the hard ground on
the platoon’s left flank.
EGAN (yelling)
Take some men and stop them!
CONTINUED: (2)
Namuro grabs Graham, Velez, and a BAR man and they run to
the patch of jungle on the left. Egan returns to firing his
Thompson. Down the line the Marauders keep up a steady fire
106.
including the machine gun, which mows down four Japanese

attackers in one long burst.
The ROARING Japanese assaulters are now within ten yards and
fling grenades at the Marauders. One EXPLODES in the
face of a Marauder, blowing his ruined body several feet
back.
Graham, Namuro, Velez, and the BAR man move through the
small patch of jungle and right into the Japanese flankers.
They fire at targets five yards away. Graham fires his M-1
into the chest of a Japanese soldier, then angles right and
shoots another one three times in the midsection. Namuro
riddles a Japanese officer with 10 rounds from his Thompson,
then slaughters others with short bursts.
More Japanese come. The BAR man kills a man at close range
but is shot himself several times. He falls down, screaming.
Graham’s M-1 PINGS dry. He looks to his left and
grabs the BAR, firing heavy rounds into the flanking
Japanese.
Velez shoots an attacker three, four times with his carbine,

but the man keeps coming and tackles him. They roll in the
mud until Velez, with his last bit of strength, drives a
KNIFE DOWN into the attacker’s throat. He SHRIEKS as his
jugular is cut.
Namuro and Graham keep firing. Namuro yells into Graham’s

ear.
NAMURO (yelling)
There’s too many of them! Fall back to the trail!
Graham nods. Namuro fires a long burst as Graham grabs Velez

off the dead Japanese soldier and moves back to the main
Marauder position.
The Japanese are now on top of the Marauders. A Marauder in

a foxhole kills a Japanese soldier with his M-1 and is then
run through by a bayonet. Egan fires into a crowd of
CONTINUED: (3)
Japanese soldiers with his Thompson, then grabs the radio

receiver.
107.
EGAN (in radio)

We’re being overrun! DIRECT MORTAR FIRE ON OUR
POSITION! NOW!
Volleys of 81mm US mortar rounds arc just in front of the

Marauder line, sending SHRAPNEL through the bodies of
dozens of Japanese soldiers. Namuro jumps into Egan’s
foxhole.
NAMURO (yelling)
Sir, we’re being flanked! There’s too many of
them.
EGAN
Hold on! We have to hold!
Tanaka stands in the jungle, raising his sword. Sensing an

opportunity, he leads another attack personally.
TANAKA (screaming, in Japanese)

BANZAI!
Dozens of Japanese emerge from the jungle on the left,

firing their weapons. Namuro, Graham and Velez return fire.
Graham throws a hand grenade, killing several Japanese.
Egan surveys the weakening line. Marauder defenders are

dead, dying, or being killed. One defender in a foxhole is
shot through the head at close range by a Japanese attacker.
A hand grenade kills a Marauder machine gunner, silencing
the key weapon.
EGAN
RETREAT, RETREAT, FALL BACK!
Marauders including Graham, Namuro, and Velez, begin to move

back, firing wildly as they go.
Egan runs to the machine gun position on the left and pushes
the dead gunner aside. He depresses the trigger and kills
one, two, three Japanese attackers, now just feet from his
position. Shrapnel cuts deep into his shoulder –
CONTINUED: (4)
he grits his teeth and keeps firing. TRACERS stream from the
weapon, cutting Japanese soldiers apart. The belt finishes
and he draws a sidearm but is tackled by a Japanese
108.
attacker. He fires into the soldier’s HEAD, pushing him

back, then shoots another soldier two times in the chest.
Colonel Tanaka then leaps into the foxhole and stabs

straight through Egan’s body with his sword. Egan yells in
pain but still moves to raise his .45 before Tanaka grabs
his arm. The desperate men struggle over the pistol, both
gritting and growling, savage fighting raging around them.
With his last burst of strength, Egan pushes his forearm
into Tanaka’s throat, gaining leverage and breaking free. He
quickly fires his last round into Tanaka’s head, killing
him. He staggers to the back of the foxhole, pausing for
his last moment and looking at the now overrun line. Several
Japanese soldiers then move on him, stabbing him again and
again with bayonets. He looks to the sky as he dies.
EXT. BURMESE SWAMP - NIGHT
Graham and Namuro struggle to navigate the dark swamp while

carrying Velez, who is in and out of consciousness. From
the jungle come intermittent cries of pain, Japanese voices,
and gunfire.
VELEZ (mumbling)
Joe, I can’t..
GRAHAM
We’re gonna get you home, don’t worry.
VELEZ
I’m sorry...I can’t…
Velez’s legs give out, forcing Namuro and Graham to place

him down in the mud. He begins to convulse and his eyes roll
into his head.
NAMURO
Fuck..fuck..
CONTINUED:
Graham holds his hands tight. Then, the shaking stops, and
his body relaxes.
NAMURO
He’s not breathing, Joe.
109.
GRAHAM (crestfallen)
Alex...
Graham looks down in disbelief at his friend.
GRAHAM
We gotta bring him...
NAMURO (whispering)
He’s dead Joe. Come on.
Nearby, Japanese soldiers can be heard, hunting for the now

scattered I&R platoon. Graham and Namuro grab their weapons
and move back into the black jungle.
EXT. MYITKYINA AIRFIELD - PERIMETER - DAY
Marauders are dug in along the edge of the jungle, checking

their weapons and preparing for a Japanese assault.
Artillery BOOMS in the distance and warbirds FLY over. A

Marauder hears something in the jungle and aims his M-1.
NAMURO
We’re American! Marauders!
The GI looks from his sight and sees Namuro and Graham,
leaning on each other.
SOLDIER
Holy shit! They’re from the unit!
The Marauders rush forward and grab Graham and Namuro,

bringing them back to the line. They are then brought into
the--
INFIRMARY
CONTINUED:
Graham and Namuro are laid on cots. They are barely

coherent, their bodies bloodied with sores and cuts and
their uniforms in tatters.
MEDIC
110.
Hey Major, these are the two that just came in.
From the I&R platoon.
Major Latrell walks over and looks down at Graham.
LATRELL
Private, where’s Lieutenant Egan? Where’s the rest
of your unit?
GRAHAM (mumbling)
Dead sir. We’re….we’re all that’s left.
Latrell is speechless and visibly troubled. Graham falls

into sleep.
INT. MILITARY HOSPITAL - TENNESSEE
Nurses and doctors move from bed to bed in a large, white

hospital ward containing a dozen wounded soldiers. A
sleeping Graham is one of them, a large bandage wrapped
across his torso and an IV in his arm.
Super title: MILITARY HOSPITAL, TENNESSEE, JULY 1944
GRAHAM
Alex…
NURSE
Welcome back Private.
The nurse holds his hand. She signals to another nurse, who
leaves.
GRAHAM
Alex...where’s Alex...
The nurse returns with Graham’s father, who is teary-eyed.

He takes a seat next to his wounded son and grabs his hand.
CONTINUED:
FATHER
Joseph, it’s me. You’re back home.
Graham sees him, tears falling down his cheeks.

111.
FATHER
We’re so happy...
GRAHAM (whispering)
I was lucky Pop. I was just lucky.
OVER A BLACK SCREEN
The Marauders held Myitkyina airfield and helped take the

town in August.
CONTINUED:
Of the 2,997 Marauders who entered Burma in February, only

130 remained in the field.
Every member of the unit was awarded a Bronze Star, a rare

distinction.
FADE OUT.

112.

Marauders Screenplay REVISED

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Marauders Screenplay REVISED

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MARAUDERS

It is late 1943 and Japan is on the march in Southeast Asia,

After months of training and raising hell in colonial India,

Despite promises from the generals, the Marauder’s mission

The story focuses on one Intelligence and Reconnaissance

They include primary protagonist Private Joseph Graham and

In Burma, the Marauders engage in numerous savage battles

EXT. BURMESE SWAMP - AFTERNOON

The vast green Burmese jungle is WARPED by the searing

Super title: BURMA, APRIL 1944

Graham’s breathing is labored and he struggles to grip his

Frustrated by his failure to wake Velez, Graham

He aims at the head of the Japanese column and pulls the

EXT. CAMP DAVIS - DAY

Hundreds of TROOPS run and march in formation through CAMP

Super title: CAMP DAVIS, TENNESSEE, SEPTEMBER 1943

INT. CAMP HEADQUARTERS - OFFICE - DAY

A dozen clerks work diligently on typewriters in a busy

clerk, Private WASHINGTON (20), young and amiable,

Graham furiously finishes the report and pushes it into a

He opens the door.

Graham is met with silence. Colonel LANDRY (50), portly,

Landry stirs and attempts to disguise his drunkenness.

Graham dumps the file on the desk and leaves, carefully

Graham makes a drinking motion with his hand.

Colonel Landry flings his door open, file in hand. Graham

Landry returns to his office, grumbling incoherently. Graham

INT. CAMP CAFETERIA - DAY

Graham and Washington wait in line with their trays.

Ahead of them, Tech Sergeant CALLAHAN (40) turns around,

Callahan returns to the line. Washington nudges Graham.

INT. SGT. CALLAHAN’S OFFICE - DAY

Graham knocks on the door frame of Callahan’s office.

Callahan passes Graham an official typed memo.

EXT. GRAHAM HOUSE - EVENING

Graham wheels his chair bound mother into the --

Father smiles and the family joins hands to say a short

Mother attempts to comport herself as Father rubs her

Father abruptly stops eating.

Father looks angrily into Graham’s eyes.

Father attempts to lower his voice, concerned with upsetting

Both men pause and Father lowers his head.

Father turns and leans on the railing, staring into the

Father wipes a tear from his face.

Father turns to face his son.

EXT. THE PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO - DAY

Graham sits on the deck of a large military CARGO SHIP

SOLDIER (Southern accent)

INT. CARGO SHIP

Below deck, dozens of soldiers sit in their bunks or on the

Graham is playing poker with four other soldiers including

Velez reaches into the pot and collects his winnings.

The men whistle as Graham reveals his hand, a slight smile

The soldiers chuckle.

EXT. CARGO SHIP DECK - DAY

Hundreds of GIs mull about on the deck, dwarfed by the

Graham surveys the men, who are conversing and clearing

EXT. SYDNEY HARBOR - DAY

The ship berths in a sun-drenched Sydney harbor and takes on

He talks to Graham, who is reading Ernest Hemingway’s “Man

EXT. BOMBAY, INDIA - DAY

The ship comes to port in Bombay, India. The waterfront is a

Super title: BOMBAY, INDIA OCTOBER 1943