Page One: “Mulan” (1998)

Screenplay by Rita Hsiao & Chris Sanders & Philip LaZebnik & Raymond Singer & Eugenia Bostwick-Singer, based on a story by Robert D. San Souci

The movie version of the opening:

The movie adds considerable dialogue. Why? To help establish the Nemesis: Shan-Yu. Compare to the opening of the 2020 live-action version of Mulan.

Why the change? Probably to establish the Protagonist first.

Download the script here.

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!

Page One is a daily Go Into The Story series featuring the first page of notable movie scripts from the classic era to contemporary times. Comparing them is an excellent way to study a variety of writing styles and see how professional writers start a story.

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