Page One: “The Irishman” (2019)

Screenplay by Steven Zaillian, based upon the book by Charles Brandt

The movie version of the opening scene:

Steve Zaillian is one of the most notable screenwriters working in the business today. His film credits include Awakenings, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Schindler’s List, Clear and Present Danger, Mission: Impossible, Hannibal,Gangs of New York, All the King’s Men, Moneyball, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and The Irishman. So if Zallian writes…

We glimpse … We turn … We drift … We approach … We see … This is who we’ve been looking for …

With regard to the so-called “rule” not to use “we see / we hear” …

Who are you going to believe? The purveyors of this nonsense … or Zaillian?

You may download the screenplay 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.

For more Page One posts, go here.

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