Transcript by tristanandisolde.net
Do not use/copy without referencing this site

FINAL EDIT: 12/04/2009
_______________________________________________________________________________

Britain the Dark Ages
The Roman Empire has fallen.
The land lies in ruins, divided amoung feuding tribes.
To the west, Ireland has flourished – untouched by the Romans, protected by the sea.
Led by their powerful and ruthless King, the Irish have subdued the Britons…
Knowing that if Ireland is to prosper, the tribes must never be allowed to unite.

~~

[Scene showing images of mountains. A young boy – Tristan – hunts with his father for a rabbit.]

Aragon: A year younger than I was for my first.
Tristan: When can I have a stag?
Aragon: [Scoffs] a stag?
Tristan: Come on! Tell me again what you said last week.
Aragon: Let that be a reminder to you.
Tristan: I got it. I got it.
[They laugh together]

~~
[The two walk home through the mountains. Main title appears] TRISTAN + ISOLDE

Tristan: Why would they join against the Irish?
Aragon: Because someone has to stand up to them.
Tristan: You?
Aragon: Me, Marke, all the tribes. We can’t resist alone.
Tristan: I could.
[“Castle Tantallon” appears onscreen]
Aragon: [Chuckles] My little warrior. We have to be careful.

~~
[Tristan and his father enter the bustling village.]
Aragon: Come home without something for your Lady, you’ll have hell to pay.
[Tristan goes to a flower and herb seller]
Tristan: Can I?
Seller: Of course you can boy.
[Aragon continues on into town where he is met by one of his men: Kurseval]
Kurseval: The Angles have arrived, my Lord, as well as the Celts, my fellow Jutes and the Saxons.
Aragon: Good. With Marke, we’ll be here.
Kurseval: [Smiling] Yeah. It is a great day.
Aragon: Let us hope so.
Kurseval: Yeah
[They continue on into town. We see Tristan back at the herb sellers]
Tristan: Thanks.
[The boy starts to make a bracelet out of the herbs]
Lady Aragon: [To Lady Marke] We heard the news. Pray for a son.
[Going up to a Lady Aragon, Tristan hands her the finished wreath]
Tristan: Mother. I made this for you
[She smiles and touches Tristan’s face lovingly]

~~
[In the Main Hall of Aragon, the assembled tribe Lords gather in meet]
Aragon: Friends. Look at us.
[A map of Britain is shown]
Aragon: The tribes of Britain. Divided. Weak. Just as the Irish like us. But if we were one land- united-, we would outnumber them two to one. We could defeat them once and for all. That is why we’re here today. To sign this treaty of unification.
Lord: Who would be King?
Aragon: The strongest among us: Lord Marke.
[Scene of troop movements outside of the town]
Aragon: Look if you are happy sending all of your gold to Ireland, living as slaves, by all means… do nothing.
Baron: If we were happy doing that, we would never have risked coming here.
Marke: Friends. My wife is with child. My heart tells me it’s a boy. I want him to grow old in a land where all of us- all the tribes: Pict, Celt, Angle, Jute, Saxon- are at peace. This island has not known unity since the Romans left. That is why I sign this treaty. [Marke signs the treaty]
Wictred: And why should we follow you?
Marke: Perhaps, Wictred, because your last attempt to form an alliance without the knowledge of half the Barons in this room has failed.
[A man bursts into the room]
Man: Alarm! The Irish are here!
[Scenes of destruction outside the keep. Inside Aragon grabs a man]
Aragon: Take all your men. Guard the women!
Man: But you won’t have enough -
Aragon: [Shouting] Go!!!
[More destruction. All the women and children try to find safety]
Lady Aragon: Quickly! Tristan! Back this way. Hurry!
[More fighting. In the main keep the men await the Irish]
Baron: How did they know?
[The Irish break through and a furious battle begins. Tristan tries to fight]
Lady Aragon: Tristan!
[Aragon manages to hold his son back and puts him in a hold under the floorboards. Aragon is then killed by Morholt. There is more destruction and fire breaks out. Tristan reaches up to touch the floorboards above and finds his fathers seeping blood on his hands. Tristan comes out of the hole and surveys the destruction. His father and Lady Marke are dead. Suddenly he is attacked by an Irishman but Marke jumps in to save him, losing his hand in the process]

~~
[“Dunluce Castle. The funeral of the Irish Queen” appears onscreen. We see a funeral procession. A maid holds the young princess comfortingly]
Bragnae: She’s with the Gods now Isolde, you’ll see her again someday.
Isolde: Will I?
Henchman: [To the King] Morholt returns.
[The King leaves the funeral]
King Donnchadh: What news of the treaty?
[Morholt hands the King a scroll of paper, which the King tears up]
King Donnchadh: Good, Morholt. Good.
~~
[Isolde and Bragnae approach a cairn where Isolde lays an urn of her mother’s ashes within a niche]
Bragnae: Your mother loved you so much Isolde.
Isolde: Why did she die Bragnae? Why?
Bragnae: It was an ill vapor that took her... a fever.
Isolde: No. It was her heart.

~~
[“Castle Dor” appears onscreen. A procession of survivors from Marke’s retinue return home. They find Dor in ruins. Marke’s sister runs up to him and cries in his arms]
Marke: Your husband?
[Edyth shakes her head]
Marke: Oh. Oh sister, I’m so sorry.
Edyth: The executions lasted a day. They made sport of us.
Marke: A whole generation of men.
Edyth: [Looking at Tristan] Who’s this?
Marke: Tristan, son of Aragon. We’re his family now.
Edyth: [Talks to Tristan] I have a son about your age. Melot. Melot? [A young boy runs up] Melot, this is Tristan.
Kurseval: What shall we do my Lord?
Marke: Rebuild.

~~

[Rebuilding is taking place. The youth are practicing their swordsmanship. Marke is testing his ability with his sword without his hand]
Marke: Don’t hold back
[Marke loses the fight easily. A boy starts yelling to the other boys]
Simon: Tristan won’t fight me! Look, he’s scared!
Marke: Still won’t fight?
Kurseval: He’s got the heart of a lion. Just needs some time.
Melot: Why’d you take off your helmet? You going to cry? My father died too, but you don’t see me crying!
Edyth: Melot!
Melot: That’s right, run! Find another trapdoor to hide under. Coward!
[Tristan suddenly fights back and beats all the boys single-handedly]
Kurseval: Tristan!

[Tristan starts walking towards the camera. Suddenly he is grown up and the town is mostly rebuilt]
[“9 years later” appears onscreen]
Simon: Tristan! Tristan! We’ve found something! Come on, this way.
Melot: You are gonna love it.
Simon: Yeah, I found this trapdoor!
Melot: Who found a trapdoor? [laughing]  All right Simon. Well, you tell us how you found it!
[Lifting a trapdoor in the forest] Look at that!
[The three friends climb down into it]
Tristan: Where does this lead?
Melot: You’ll see.
Simon: I like that vase! Think I’ll have that.
Melot: I always knew the Castle was built on Roman foundations but I didn’t think anything was left!
Tristan: Must be a burial crypt or something.
[They re-emerge from the tunnel]
Melot: Here we are: bottom of the keep.
Tristan: Who else knows about this?
Simon: Nobody.
Tristan: Good.
[They exit the keep]

~~
Bodkin: These savages have rebuilt the castle at Cornwall, only now it’s made of stone.
King Donnchadh: Of Cornwall’s next tribute, I want slaves - young ones. Their future. If Marke resists, have Morholt crush him.
Morholt: My King.
King Donnchadh: Morholt.
Morholt: I have led your armies to victory far and near. I’ve made you rich and powerful.
King Donnchadh: Yes you have. You have been most loyal.
Morholt: When I return from Cornwall, I was hoping…
King Donnchadh: What would please you?
Morholt: A wife.

~~
[The cairn appears once again, with a grown up Isolde leaning on it looking out to sea]
Bragnae: It’s dark in an hour.
Isolde: What do you think is really out there?
Bragnae: Britannia. The old Roman lands. A world full of evil and grief.
Isolde: I want to see it. Do you know what the future looks like Bragnae?
Bragnae: I see the life you were meant for. Your father will speak with you.

~~
[Isolde speaks with her father. She is clearly distraught]
Isolde: Am I just a chattel to be traded at your pleasure? Do I have no say in my own life?
King Donnchadh: You have a duty to your King.
Isolde: You are my father.
King Donnchadh: Then obey me, Daughter.
[Isolde runs to her apothecary-like room. Morholt comes to her]
Morholt: Your father has given you the news?
[Isolde nods]
Morholt: And you welcome it?
Isolde: I accept it.
Morholt: You know, we’re more alike than you might guess.
Isolde: How so?
Morholt: I too dabble in elixirs. [He draws his sword and touches the edge] Poison. It’s from the livers of a puffer fish. Just a taste... paralyzes all the senses. So if the blade doesn’t kill…
Isolde: Rendered safe by thistle and bark.
[Morholt holds up a leaf]
Morholt: And you know the antidote for that?
Isolde: Yohimbine. [A known sexual enhancement supplement]
Morholt: Makes a hard man even harder. [Takes a bite of the leaf] The only cure… wild abandon. Till our wedding day. I’m to Cornwall, to deal with the rebels. [He leaves]

~~
[The Irish arrive in Cornwall and enter the town of Castle Dor]
Bodkin: Release them.
[The Irish men spread out and start collecting Cornish men and women as hostages]
Cornish Man: Leave her!
[He is grabbed by the Irish thugs]
Bodkin: Take him there. Get a rope. Anyone foolish enough to interfere shall suffer the same fate.
[A girl rushes forward]
Girl: No! No! Please No!
[The man is hung and Tristan rushes forward. He is held back by the Irish men. The Cornish hostages are put in a wagon]
Bodkin: If there are any more attacks we shall put our guests to death and raze this entire land. Take the horses.

~~
[Tristan confronts Marke about the Irish]
Marke: When would you strike?
Tristan: At once. Throw everything we have at them.
Marke: They are hoping you’ll do that. On horse they outnumber us two to one. You’ll lead the men straight to their deaths.
Tristan: So we do nothing?!
Marke: Donnchadh would like that even more. Me to lose face in front of the other tribes. No, we must act. It must be decisive but we cannot act alone.
~~
[Tristan and Marke enter the hall]
Marke: So. Have the good men of York come to fight with us? Hmm? Or the Saxons of Wessex?
Wictred: My men don’t want to follow a Pict into battle. Let alone one leading a pack of Angles and Celts.
Marke: Then why are you here?
Wictred: I thought Tristan should let me command his men.
Tristan: I make it my habit to follow no one.
Wictred: Except Marke?
Tristan: Marke delivered me from that palace when I was a boy. You ran. So you can understand that when I think of Kings I think of him. When I think of cowards…
Marke: They’re one day from their boats on the old Roman road. Now who will ride out with Tristan to fight them?
Lord: What is your plan, Tristan?
Tristan: I need our two fastest runners.

~~

[The Irish and their hostages make their way through a forest. Suddenly two of the British jump up and shoot at the Irish. Half of the convoy follow the two runners.
Irish Man: Go around!
[They continue to pursue the runners on foot. Suddenly Tristan and his men spring up from hidden holes under the loam and shoot the Irish with their bows. The Irish are attacked from all sides and defeated. Back at the main part of the Irish convoy, Morholt cleans his blade]
Bodkin: Morholt, they’re back!
[Cloaked figures ride in while the camp cheers. Suddenly they attack and more British spring from the ground. A battle ensues. Morholt begins to kill the hostages, but Tristan springs to stop him. Sammy is killed. Tristan is stabbed by Morholt’s poisoned blade but manages to kill Morholt. Melot and Tristan run to Simon’s side]
Tristan: Simon!
Simon: I don’t want to die.
[Simon dies and Tristan collapses]
Kurseval: Tristan!
Tristan: I can’t feel my legs or my hands.
Kurseval: [Smelling the blade] Poison.
Tristan: A second boat.
Kurseval: Tristan.
[Tristan seems to die]
Melot: He shall have a King’s service.
[Tristan is lain on a funeral boat and floated out to sea]
Melot: Farewell, Tristan of Aragon. Death to the Irish.
[The boat is set alight by burning arrows. Melot turns to the captured Irish]
Melot: When the Irish came to Cornwall and my father surrendered, you spared a dozen out of a hundred. I am even less kind. The leader and 3 shall take this message home. As for the rest… [He beheads a man]
~~
[The surviving British and t he hostages return to Dor. Marke meets them]
Melot: Victory.
Marke: And Tristan?
Melot: Simon too.
Marke: Did I love him like a son or did I misuse him for my own purposes?
Edyth: He knew. He knew.

~~
[Tristan floats in the sea, the ship no longer burning. Isolde is suddenly woken from sleep and makes her way to the beach with Bragnae]
Bragnae: Where are we going?
Isolde: Away.
Bragnae: Are you afflicted child? Speak to me! Your father will find us and have my head. You are my charge. Please!
Isolde: I am no one’s charge!
Bragnae: You are. And you will be Morholt’s lady!
Isolde: And live a loveless life like my mam?
Bragnae: [Seeing something on the beach] What’s that?
Isolde: Where?
[Isolde runs to the beached boat]
Bragnae: Isolde. Wait! Don’t! Isolde. Don’t! Isolde!
Isolde: It’s a man.
Bragnae: Dead?
Isolde: Alive! Bragnae help me!
Bragnae: [Foreign Language – Irish?] Isolde?
Isolde: Help me! Quickly
[They drag Tristan to a hut on the beachfront]
Isolde: Start a fire! Quickly!
[Isolde checks his condition while Bragnae tries to light the fire]
Isolde: His heart falters.
[Isolde starts to undress]
Bragnae: What are you doing?
Isolde: He needs heat. Now! Get your clothes off! Quickly!
[Isolde curls up against Tristan while Bragnae starts to undress]
Isolde: Hurry! Quickly! Smell that? Smell the poison? When he warms we’ll need thistle and bark.
Bragnae: [Lying on the other side of Tristan] I’ve not been naked with a man for 15 years!

~~

Isolde: Hello. [Tristan slowly turns to look at her] You've been sleeping a long time. You're in Ireland. Did you know that? Shh... It's alright. You're safe here. No one knows. Don't be scared. Just sleep... sleep.
[Tristan fades out of consciousness]

[Tristan wakes and grabs a stone to use as a weapon when he hears a noise]
Bragnae: Nooo Nooo Noo!
[Isolde runs in]
Isolde: It’s alright, you don’t need that! I forgot to tell him about you.
Bragnae: I’ll wait outside with the other beasts.
[Bragnae leaves]
Tristan: You said no one else knew.
Isolde: Sorry… she’s... my maid. Sworn to silence. Um… lie down please. Please?
[Tristan lies down]
Isolde: It’s good you are remembering things. [She tends to him] This might sting. Do you remember anything else? The boat I found you in? How you got this? Too many questions. There. Keep that dry. Here are clothes, bread. You have water and fire. The ocean’s outside if you wish a bath. You won’t know where you are going so please don’t try to leave. Just trust me.
Tristan: Why are you doing this?
Isolde: I’ll be back.
[Isolde leaves the hut and meets up with Bragnae outside]
Bragnae: This is a dangerous game you’re playing. He’s English, Isolde.
Isolde: And we’ve got him prisoner.
Bragnae: Under no circumstances tell him your name, you hear me? I thought you wished to escape this place. Do you hear me?

~~
[Back in the Irish town Isolde and Bragnae whisper together]
Bragnae: You’ll do no such thing.
Isolde: He’ll need more food tomorrow.
Bragnae: He’s not your concern.
[King Donnchadh enters and they fall into silence]
King Donnchadh: You’ve been away.
Isolde: Oh, you noticed. Yes, I have a bit.
King Donnchadh: Where?
Isolde: Bragnae and I were spying the convent at Brittas.
King Donnchadh: Seeking sanctuary?
Isolde: Some women need it.
King Donnchadh: You’ll find no refuge in the new religion. Your place is here, with Morholt.
Isolde: Any word of my betrothed?
King Donnchadh: Overdue. But comforted, no doubt, that you yearn for him.
[The King leaves]

~~

[Isolde leaves the town to return to the hut on the beach. She sees Tristan bathing in the sea. Isolde tends to Tristan’s wounds back in the hut]
Tristan: What's your name?
Isolde: Oh, I think it's better if we don't bother with names.
Tristan: How can I thank you if I don't have your name?
Isolde: You just did. If you insist… my name is Bragnae. I'm a lady-in- waiting at the court. My parents are dead. My mother, she’s the source of the kindness you find so puzzling. My father would've left you where you fell.
Tristan: I’m Tristan of Aragon.
Isolde: Well Tristan of Aragon, I'd guess about you too, but I think I've already seen everything.
Bragnae: Sir! I hope you appreciate the risks we are taking, and will honour us by leaving as soon as you are able.
[Bragnae leaves]
Tristan: She likes me. She’s right though, you do risk.
[Finishes poulticing him]
Isolde: Here. What of your parents?
Tristan: They also died when I was a child.
Isolde: Of what?
Tristan: A different type of Irish kindness.
Isolde: I’m sorry.
[Bragnae returns and interrupts their moment of tenderness]
Isolde: Tomorrow then?
Tristan: Tomorrow.

~~

[Tristan sits outside making a shell bracelet. Isolde shortly arrives. Inside the hut the scene continues]
Isolde: “There she who bore you brought you forth.
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death.”
Tristan: Ridiculous.
Isolde: I happen to believe what it says. Don’t you think there is more to life?
Tristan: Than what?
Isolde: Something more than duty and death! Why be capable of feelings if we’re not to have them? Why long for things if they’re not meant to be ours? Oh, don’t listen to me. You’re so sure of things. You’re certainty, it’s - it’s like armour. I wish I had that.
Tristan: Why would you need it?
Isolde: The joy of being a lady. Wanting something I can’t have. A life of my own.
Bragnae: Time you must leave now.
Isolde: I’ll follow you later.
Bragnae: You need a rest. In case your betrothed would want to see you.
[Bragnae and Isolde leave]

~~

[Tristan and Isolde look out to sea]
Tristan: You’re promised?
Isolde: Yes.
Tristan: What’s he like?
Isolde: Dark. Tall. Nearly twice your size. An absolute gentleman.
Tristan: I thought… earlier when you spoke of wanting something you can’t have-
Isolde: I didn’t know what I was talking about.
[They leave the shore and go inside the hut, Isolde is crying]
Isolde: Outside, just past that bluff there is a boat. That’s how you should go when you leave. You should go soon.
[Isolde leaves but Tristan goes after her. They kiss. Inside the hut they make love.]
Tristan: How do you feel?
Isolde: I don’t know

~~
[Isolde returns to the town and finds Bragnae folding clothes. She smiles and  hugs her maid closely. Back on the beach an Irish man finds Tristan’s boat and the sword within. The 4 Irishmen return from their defeat. Bragnae runs to tell Isolde while the Irish hunt out Tristan. She runs to the hut]
Isolde: Tristan! They found your boat. At this very moment the King himself is scouring the coasts. He’ll find you. He finds everyone. The tide is coming. You must go!
[They drag the boat out to see]
Tristan: Come with me. Come with me!
Isolde: I can’t
Tristan: Why not? Please!
Isolde: Tristan, we both know this can’t be. We’ve known it from the start. That doesn’t mean it isn’t true. It is. It just cannot be. I want to know that you’re alive somewhere thinking of me from time to time. I want to know that there’s more to this life, and I can’t know that if they kill you. Please?
[They kiss]
Isolde: Go!
[Isolde leaves to shore while Tristan rows away]

~~
[Back at Dunlane]
King Donnchadh: A Cornish warrior may be ashore. Beware. We seek him as I speak. Hopefully it is just his rotted corpse we’ll find, for he has slain your betrothed. Morholt is dead. Fallen in battle. Isolde? Bragnae, catch and comfort her.
[The two leave, the Irish henchman, Bodkin enters]
Bodkin: She is stunned.
King Donnchadh: As am I by her grief.
Bodkin: We should uh- We should assault the British straightaway. Crush them with maximum force.
King Donnchadh: Maximum force? The one butchered by Marke’s tribes? Would that be the maximum force you speak of? We’ll not confront them again until our numbers are refreshed. Until then... we’ll have cunning divide them.
Bodkin: Of what nature?
King Donnchadh: A prize, perhaps.

~~
[Isolde looks out to sea while Tristan sails back to Cornwall. Meanwhile all the British Lords receive a message from Ireland]
Melot: What’s this about a tournament?
Marke: Donnchadh. He has offered his daughter and the lands of Lionath as dowry to whichever English tribe wins. It’s a clever way of setting us against each other.
Melot: Well, the other barons will see through that.

~~
[There is a meeting of the Lords in Dor]
Wictred: As baron of Wessex it’s my duty to fight in this tournament for my people.
Marke: For yourself you mean.
Melot: And what of the support you promised Tristan?
Wictred: Tristan’s dead. My people suffer enough. They see the wealth of Lionath on offer. That seems more real than any alliance. My mind is set.
Rothgar: And ours as well.
Marke: So be it.

~~
[Tristan rides back into town]
Melot: You’re weary. Let me rally our friends. I’ll lead them against Donn-
Marke: Melot, Melot, Melot, Melot, Melot. You’re my blood and you’re a noble presence, but-
They hear the sounds of the townspeople calling welcome to Tristan outside. Everyone rushes to Tristan]
Watchman: He’s back! Lord Marke! It’s Tristan!
Leon: It can’t be!
Edyth: Tristan!
Melot: I saw you dead.
Tristan: I am delivered.
Marke: [Hugging Tristan] How? How?

~~

[There is a celebration for Tristan’s return that night]
Marke: A toast! To Tristan! Back from the dead.
Kurseval: Tristan. The Irish King offers his daughter in tournament and divides all our tribes. Whether for the power or the wealth, half the barons are sending champions to fight at Dunluce. [Tristan stands and walks off] Tristan!
Leon: God knows what happened to him.

[Tristan stares out into the night. The voice of Isolde haunts him]

Isolde: "My face in thine eyes, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or thou and I.
Love so alike, that none can slacken, none can die."

~~
[Tristan confronts Marke in the keep with a plan]
Marke: What?
Tristan: It’s the only way to keep the alliance alive.
Marke: I fail to see how fighting with our partners keeps us allies.
Tristan: Well they’re all going to the tournament anyway. By announcing you’ll share the dowry with every baron who remains loyal while in turn offering support to whomever prevails, the others would be compelled to follow you when you win it.
Marke: If we win. If we lose we could end up following Wictred. I’d need an infallible champion!
Tristan: Me.
Marke: You’re not yet healed.
Tristan: Then this trip will be my tonic. I will be ready. You know I will.
Marke: What is the source of this fervour?
Tristan: Let me go and win you a wife. She can make peace without spilling one drop of blood. And maybe heal the wound from which you still ache.

~~

[The British arrive in Ireland. A henchman approaches Tristan]
Bodkin: Truce. You have safe passage.
[The warriors enter the tournament arena]
Tristan: How do I look?
Kurseval: How do you look?
Melot: Where is this Princess? What’s her name? Isolde? I want to see what she looks like.

~~
[Maids attend to Isolde as the King enters]

Bragnae: There. Almost done.
Isolde: No, not quite. If I’m a present I should be fully wrapped. [Isolde puts a veil about her].

[The King takes his seat on the podium overlooking the arena]
King Donnchadh: Ah, see how the bees come to the honey.
Official: Name?
Tristan: Tristan of Aragon.
[He is given a specially prepared tablet]
King Donnchadh: So he lives.
Bodkin: For the moment.
Official: Name?
Wictred: Wictred of Glastonbury.
[He is also given a prepared stone]
Wictred: I fight with no champion in my stead. Note that.
Bodkin: Why Wictred?
King Donnchadh: Because the barons will never unite behind him.
[Isolde takes her seat]
Melot: Do you think she’s got the pox?
[The combatants take their positions]
Herald: Since the dawn of time the knight has gathered at tournaments. Here he sharpens his skills, settles his differences and proves his worthiness before God. For only a true heart can prevail in battle.
[Isolde sees Tristan amoung the group to be fighting]
Herald: Warriors, begin!
[The battles start]
Wictred’s Opponent: Make it look real!
Wictred: What?
Wictred’s Opponent: I yield!
[Wictred defeats him brutally]
Wictred: Real enough I hope?
Kaye: Water? You did great!
[Tristan’s enemy is given a new sword after losing his weapon]
Bodkin: Allow it!
[Tristan wins the battle]
Announcer: Hunwalt yields to Tristan of Aragon. Antwon of Wessex will fight Kingsid.
Melot: It’ too easy for you eh?. So much for a fair draw.
[Wictred and Tristan work through their opponents until they face each other]
Wictred: Mace.
Melot: Well done Tristan. You have this. This is yours. You have one more fight. Take deep breaths.
Herald: Wictred, lord of Glastonbury. Tristan, champion of Marke of Cornwall. Warriors, begin!
[Tristan and Wictred fight. Wictred is booed by the crowd. Tristan defeats Wictred.]
Tristan: Yield!
[Tristan goes before the King]
King Donnchadh: An impressive victory. Of course the man who defeats Morholt might be expected to triumph here.
Tristan: On behalf of Cornwall, I offer your daughter a place on our throne. The throne of England, united behind one leader.
King Donnchadh: Isolde. Perhaps it is just that he who took a husband provides one.
[Isolde comes forward]
Isolde: I’m yours.
King Donnchadh: No. Tristan of Aragon has won you on behalf of Lord Marke of Cornwall.
Melot: Come on, let’s go.
Bragnae: Come Isolde. Come.
[Everyone disperses]
King Donnchadh: Let them take her across the sea. After the wedding I’ll disavow Isolde. This alliance will crumble.

~~
[The English sail back to Britain with Isolde and Bragnae]
Henchman: Tristan. The princess wants to speak to you.
[Tristan goes to meet Isolde inside the ship]
Isolde: You risked your life to give me to another man.
Tristan: You said your name was Bragnae. Why did you do that?
Isolde: God, what have I done? You’ll stop this then. Say something.
Tristan: I can't. I won you in my King's name.
Isolde: But I am yours. You touched me and I you...
Tristan: It doesn't matter.
Isolde: It is the only thing that matters, Tristan. Leave with me, I’ll go anywhere.
Tristan: Your marriage will end a hundred years of bloodshed.
Isolde: My marriage to another man!
Tristan: Isolde. You will live with this. We must.
Isolde: Don't do this to me.
[Melot enters]
Melot: Tristan, we’ve made shore.

~~

[The party enter Dor, Marke waits for them]
Marke: What if she’s a hag? Or she simply won’t have me!
Edyth: She will brother. You’re the prize.
[Isolde steps out of the carriage]
Isolde: My Lord. [She curtsies]
Marke: Isolde? Welcome.
[He takes her hand and everyone claps]

~~

[Isolde’s wedding gown is prepared. Marke puts on his metal hand for the ceremony. Isolde – fully dressed- floats down the river to the wedding ceremony about a decorated ship. She and Marke go forward to be wed. There is a celebration after the wedding. As Isolde and Marke leave the party, Isolde approaches Tristan]
Isolde: If things were different- If we lived in a place without duty... would you be with me?
Tristan: That place does not exist.
Isolde: I'll pretend it's you.

~~
[Isolde and Marke retire to their bedroom. Tristan watches their window from outside]
Marke: Come. You’re trembling. You’re far from home. I am a stranger still.  That I understand. But you mustn’t fear me. Hmm? My only wish is to make you happy. As a wife. As a women. And hopefully one day, the fact that I am not whole will not offend you.
[Marke kisses Isolde and makes love to her]

~~
[Marke and Isolde stand outside the keep surveying the town. Mark fingers her shell bracelet]
Marke: That’s pretty. Did you make it?
Isolde: It was a present.

~~
[Tristan goes to Edyths home and knocks on the door]
Leon: Tristan?
Tristan: Might I stay here a while?
Leon: Of course.

~~
[There is a montage of Tristan and Isolde’s lives while in Dor. Finally in the marketplace Isolde is fed food by Mark and they laugh together. Edyth sees Tristan watching]
Edyth: Tristan!
[Tristan walks off]
Marke: I’ve never seen him like this before.
Isolde: Perhaps someone his own age should speak with him.
Marke: Perhaps.
[Marke lets her go. She finds Tristan]
Isolde: Marke and Edyth say you’re distant. They’re worried about you. So am I.
Tristan: I can tell. Laughing at the market, holding hands, a caress on the neck when he pours you wine.
Isolde: He’s my husband. I remember whose Kingdom I’m in and why.
Tristan: Yes well, I must confess I thought you might have the tiniest of difficulties performing your duties.
Isolde: Am I not permitted a single moment without mourning? I’m living with this Tristan as you said we must.
Tristan: I live in torture thinking of these moments. Every look he gives you, I get sicker and sicker. There’s a burning in me. I feel on fire and there’s guilt and I can't get rid of either. Does it make you happy to know that?
Isolde: The Roman Bridge- I can get to it without being seen. And I would go there anytime to be with you.

~~
[All the Leaders meet in Castle Dor to sign a treaty]
Marke: Welcome barons of Anglia, Rothgar and Orick. Wessex: Kaye and Wictred.
Wictred: As you will be King and his daughter Queen, does that mean Donnchadh will be coming to the coronation?
Marke: It does. On the next full moon, all will attend.
Wictred: A lot can happen in a month
Marke: Bearing that in mind, and given the instabilities of our new land I shall be naming a second. My sister has raised one capable of guiding you, if the need should arise. He is a man of passion, fierce in battle who has learnt to tame his heart with his head. I give you Tristan of Aragon.
[Melot is very upset]
Marke: For the first time since the Romans, this country stands united.

~~
[After leaving the signing, Tristan chases down Marke]
Tristan: I can’t be your second. Melot must be. He’s blood. Besides, I wish to journey north.
Marke: You no longer sleep at Dor, and now you don’t want to be my second. Do you find no comfort in your home? These stone walls that you helped build?
Tristan: I find these walls a prison.
Marke: Why?
Tristan: Everything I want seems meaningless.
Marke: Ever since you were a boy you sacrificed everything for me. All for one dream.  Now that you reached that dream, it is natural that you would feel some loss. It doesn’t matter if you want to be second. You are. I will only be king if you are my second. I’d put it more gently if I could.
Tristan: Then I am your second.
Marke: Perhaps it is time that you took a wife!
Tristan: No!
Marke: Can’t live alone forever.
Tristan: I can!
[Isolde passes]
Marke: Isolde. I was trying to explain to Tristan the importance of love. Seems he might live without it.
Isolde: Why?
Tristan: There are other things to live for. Duty, honour.
Isolde: But they are not life, Tristan. They are the shells of life. And empty ones if in the end all they hold are days and days without love. Love is made by God. Ignore it and you can suffer as you cannot imagine.
Tristan: Then I will no longer live without it.
Marke: Good. Very good! Come, we will be late!
Isolde: Late?
Marke: The warriors ride out on the full moon. It is an old ritual. I shall miss you tonight.

~~

[That night Isolde sneaks out into the forest. Marke and his warriors ride together. Tristan leaves the party to find Isolde. They make love together]
Isolde: How many did you love before me?
Tristan: None.
Isolde: And after me?
Tristan: None.

~~
[While hunting the boar Marke falls off his horse]
Man: Lord Marke! Are you hurt?
Marke: Nothing hurt but my pride.

~~
[Tristan and Isolde bid each other farewell. Back in the keep there is much dancing]
Melot: Tristan, I need to speak with you.
Tristan: Yeah.
Melot: We haven’t even had a coronation yet, and Marke and Wictred are already at odds. Now, he breaks tradition and scares all the barons by naming you his second.
Tristan: I tried to convince him you would be better.
Melot: Yes well, peace can be just as treacherous as war and I fear that Marke doesn’t re-
Listen to me!!! Our attention must be on Cornwall now more than ever.
Tristan: Melot. I am sorry he didn’t choose you. I am.
[Melot approaches Marke]
Melot: Can I speak to you? Uncle you don’t seem to understand what you have done here.
Marke: I’m sick of your moaning!
[Marke leaves Isolde’s side, Tristan leaves and Isolde follows. They hide in a room were they begin to kiss each other passionately. Finishing his conversation with Melot, Marke seeks Isolde. Later that night, Marke makes love to Isolde]

~~
[Tristan and Isolde are out in a forest clearing together. It is an old ruins, with paintings of a couple on the broken walls]
Isolde: What do you think became of them?
Tristan: They were lives... just lived.
Isolde: I find myself imaging things in this place. I decorate it. Books, a harp there. A child.
Tristan: Would it be his or mine?
Isolde: I would have no way to tell, would I? He is a kind man Tristan, I cannot hate him. Yesterday at the market I saw a couple holding hands, and I realised we’ll never do that. Never anything like it. No picnics or unguarded smiles. No rings. Just stolen moments that leave too quickly.

~~

[In the marketplace Isolde and Marke shop. Tristan steals some herbs and makes a wreath for Isolde. He surreptitiously slips it onto Isolde’s wrist as Merlot and Wictred look on]

~~
[Later, Marke goes to his bedroom but finds Bragnae waiting]
Marke: Where’s Isolde?
Bragnae: I don’t know for sure, she was having a walk in the garden before and I’m afraid I got tired so I returned. It’s my fault.
[Bragnae goes to find Tristan and Isolde who are meeting in secret]
Bragnae: Want to get caught the both of you?! He’s lookin’ for you right now. Not through the castle. He’ll see you! I told you this was going to happen!
Tristan: There is another door here, forgotten.
[Tristan shows them the Roman tunnel]
This comes up in the bottom chamber of the keep.
Isolde: I hate this.
Tristan: Hurry! Go on.
[Isolde and Bragnae go down]
Bragnae: I’m tired of this. I’m tired of lying for you.Sick of it.
Isolde: Then don’t.

~~
[Isolde goes to bed with Marke]
Isolde: There was a servant’s child. Quite ill, but doing better now.
Marke: I didn’t ask you were you were. Your heart’s beating so fast.
Isolde: Is it?
Marke: Isolde. Is there anything I can do to make you happier. I want to make you happy.
Isolde: I’m fine.

~~
[Wictred speaks to King Donnchadh in secret]
Wictred: She’s in love with Tristan. They’re intimates. If I expose them it will break Marke’s heart and his hold on the other Barons.
King Donnchadh: How?
Wictred: With Marke’s champion in chains, I’ll take Castle Dor. You can land your armies unopposed. There will be no one defending the inland waters.
King Donnchadh: And your price?
Wictred: I want Marke’s throne.
[As the King leaves he talks to Bodkin]
King Donnchadh: In a few years, when his reign falls apart, we’ll go over and pick up the pieces.

~~

[Marke approaches Tristan as he looks over the town]
Marke: Tristan? May I speak with you? Is it possible... do you think a man blinded by love... Is it possible that that man might not see treachery right in front of him?
[Takes out wreath]
I found this hidden among Isolde's things. Do you think she has a lover? Has she said anything to you?
Tristan: No.
Marke: Perhaps you could follow her. I can’t ask anyone else. I know. I know what you think – I’m acting like a child but-. Normally I can read faces, but with hers I feel I... I can't be objective. She’s so delicate. I just look at her and I-
Tristan: You really love her.
Marke: Oh... I do...terribly. I didn’t know how empty I was. She sustains me, she thrills me. And when I see this ring, it is a ring of thorns.
Tristan: The ring is nothing. She's loyal to you. I’m sure of it.
Marke: ... If you say so.

~~
[Tristan is tortured by Marke’s proclamation and burns his and Isolde’s meeting place. Isolde finds it in ruins. The Irish arrive on ships for the coronation ceremony.]
Man: I count nine [ships]
Tristan: If they move in, have your squires fly a black flag
[The King of Ireland arrives and shakes hands with a waiting Marke]
Marke: You bring an entourage?
King Donnchadh: I can’t go sailing all alone in my position Lord Marke. Don’t worry, they will stay offshore. [To Isolde] Daughter, I have missed you.
Marke: My nephew, Merlot, govenor of Cornwall
King Donnchadh: And Tristan, slayer of my best general, winner of Isolde, defender of the alliance. You’re a fortunate man.
Marke: Indeed.

~~
[Inside the castle the coronation is held in Latin. Marke and Isolde are crowned and take their seats on their thrones. Back at the lookout point the flag bearers are stabbed by the Irish. Dancing happens at the coronation celebrations.]
Marke: Tristan! Seems I worried for nothing.
Wictred: May I dance with the Queen, or does Tristan have the next one?
Marke: That’s right, you’ve never danced with Isolde before!
[Tristan is pushed forward to dance with Isolde]
Wictred: A new song for Tristan. Slow.
Isolde: Why did you burn it?
Tristan: You know.
Isolde: Meet me there now or I’ll die.
[The dance ends]
Marke: I could still tutor you a thing or two, dancing being one of them.
Kaye: Accuse him now.
Wictred: No, no, no. We’ll have more than accusations.
[Tristan leaves]
Marke: Is something the matter?
Isolde: I’m just feeling a little weary, that’s all. Might just go and have a lie down.
Marke: Of course.
[Isolde leaves]
Wictred: Friends, friends hear me! We’ve forgotten the full moon isn’t it time to ride out?
Kurseval: No. This night calls for an exception.
Wictred: Oh, but the coronation should uphold tradition, surely do we neglect it already?
Marke: We honour it... with half a night. Ride out! Where’s Tristan?

~~

[Everyone leaves to hunt while Tristan and Isolde race to be with each other]
Isolde: I miss Ireland
Tristan: Isolde, this must end.
Isolde: That’s like asking me to stop breathing.
Tristan: It cannot be.
[Elsewhere Wictred leads the hunt to where Tristan and Isolde are]
Isolde: Please don’t leave me. Please!
[They kiss only to have the hunting party come upon them]
Marke: Isolde? Tristan? No.
King Donnchadh: I see how it is in Cornwall. My money is good enough, my alliance is good enough, but my daughter you pass amoung your lieutenants like a whore!
Isolde: It’s not like-
King Donnchadh: I see no relation to me here! There is no peace with this King.
Wictred: I pledge no allegiance to shame. I won’t fight for this.
[Wictred and King Donnchadh ride off]
Marke: Seize them. Seize them.
Melot: Behold your hero uncle [He spits on Tristan] I’ll have my own heroes now.

[Further away the Irish march towards Dor. Bodkin speaks to King Donnchadh]
Bodkin: They’re ashore.
King Donnchadh: [To Wictred and Kaye] Prove your worth.

Baron: If a man can’t rule his woman, how can he govern an entire Kingdom?
Melot: He can’t.
Lord: We have suffered peace.
Orick: It’s all been coming apart. You can feel it
Wictred: You’re right.
[Wictred rides up]
Wictred: There is very little time. Fortunately, Donnchadh has no quarrel with anybody here. He’s asked me to give you a message. [He throws down coins]
Rothgar: What’s this?
Wictred: It is compensation for the men you will lose attacking Castle Dor with Donnchadh tomorrow. Let’s be honest, our people need a stronger chief.
Rothgar: Who might that be, Wictred?
Wictred: Melot. For too long the ablest amoung us has been denied his rightful place. I pledge you my allegiance and offer him my services as his second.
Melot: I like this plan.

~~
[Tristan is in chains in the keep. Marke comes down to see him]
Marke: I came to apologise. I’ve been selfish. Arrogantly thinking that perhaps I’d given enough over these past nine years to merit if not your love then at least your respect. A home. A kingdom. Your very life- Why was it not enough? Tell me. [Shouting] Tell me! You don’t know what you have done! Everything is destroyed, everything! All because you did not have enough. She’s loyal to you I am sure of it. You bloodsucker. What could I have been had I not stretched out my hand to save your wretched life. How I curse that day, how I curse it. Well, insult me with your defence. [Tristan remains silent] Then I will contemplate your punishment. Donnchadh marches on us as we speak.
[Marke strides away. Bragnae catches up to him in a corridor. She bars entrance to his bedroom]
Bragnae: She’s young, and they were wrong. But King of no King I will not let you harm her!
[Marke moves Bragnae out of the way and enters the room]
Marke: How long?
Isolde: Since you thought he was dead. I found him, wounded, on a beach in Ireland. I hid him from my father and I told him my name was Bragnae. So when he came to the tournament at Dunluce to win Donnchadh’s daughter he didn’t realise it was me. All this time my heart has been his, and I am sorry. He tried harder than you can possibly imagine because he loves you.
[Marke leaves the room in silence]

~~
[Merlot and Wictred walk through the forest discussing plans]
Melot: I will coax them out and make sure Donnchadh knows this.
Wictred: Of course, of course. You know, as things move forward. I suspected them both for some time.
Melot: Tristan and Isolde?
Wictred: You know what I could never work out? How it was conducted. How she got in and out of Dor unseen.
Melot: The tunnel.
Wictred: What?
Melot: The Roman Tunnel!
Wictred: Show me.

~~

[A henchman released Tristan from the prison and takes him to the riverside where Isolde and Bragnae are waiting with a boat]
Tristan: What is this?
Leon: The will of the King. Farewell.
Isolde: I told him about Ireland. He’s given us our freedom. Why does loving you feel so wrong?
Tristan: Get in.
Isolde: Tristan, if we I do this-
Tristan: For all time, they will say it was our love brought down a kingdom. Remember us.
[Tristan pushes the boat away]
Isolde: Tristan, no! Tristan! Tristan! Tristan! Why?! Tristan!
[Tristan runs back to Dor]

~~
[At Dor they bring everyone into the castle and close the gates. The armies close in on Dor.
Marke: Get the livestock and fuel undercover. Put some archers on the ramparts.
Kurseval: All the archers have deserted us as has half the household.
Marke: Yet you stay?
Leon: If you are surprised then we’re wounded already.
General: Come on, hurry!

~~
[The armies gather outside the keep]
King Donnchadh: Burn it. Their will is as firm as milk. The siege will unravel us. Where is Wictred with his key?

~~
[At the tunnel entrance]
Melot: It comes up to the Roman foundations at the lowest level.
Wictred: This is a godsend!
[They both enter it and Wictred gestures for his men to follow]

~~
[There is much fighting as the forces of the Irish and traitorous barons besiege Castle Dor. In the tunnel, Wictred and Melot move towards the keep]
Wictred: What will you say to him?
Melot: 'll say he made unforgivable mistakes, and it's time for him to step- – what’s that?!
[The two turn to see Wictred’s men following them down the tunnel. Melot fights to stop them going down the tunnel but is stabbed]

~~
[The enemy forces break through the outer gates and are attempting to get into the keep]
Man: Aim for the front of the line
Marke: They are waiting.

~~
[As Wictred and his men enter the keep from the tunnel below, Tristan enters the tunnel from the forest entrance]
Man: The Irish are inside!
Marke: Follow me!
Wictred: Bar the door make sure no one gets in!

~~
[In the tunnel, Tristan comes upon a wounded Melot]
Melot: You.
Tristan: What happened here?
Melot: A reward for idiocy. A dozen Irish have blazed your way.
Tristan: Melot! I came to aid Marke.
Melot: Everyone lies.
Tristan: I didn’t lead them here.
Melot: No, I did.
Tristan: Why?
Melot: I thought someone believed in me.
Tristan: It will be undone.
Melot: Tristan- I’m for the worms. Swear to me that you are true.
Tristan: As we were brothers.
Melot: Build my boat.
[Melot dies]

~~
[Tristan makes his way to the keep while Marke and his men do battle with Wictreds]
Wictreds Man: They’re here!
Wictred: Keep them back.
Marke’s Man: Wictred.
Marke: He’s trying to lower the bridge
Marke’s Man: Traitor!
Marke: Give me your shield, we’re pinned down!
[Tristan attacks Wictred and his men]
Marke: Tristan!
Marke’s Man: Him too?
Marke: No, he’s with us!
[Marke and his men jump into battle, but not before Tristan is stabbed. Tristan manages to stop the drawbridge falling with his sword. He is again stabbed by Wictred]
Marke: Tristan!
[Tristan stabs Wictred and kills him. Tristan pulls the sword from his body as the battle subsides]
Marke: Tristan! How did you get in here?
Tristan: An old secret.
Marke: Secrets!
Tristan: It’s in the past now.
Marke: In the past.
Kurseval: They’ve breached the palisades.
Marke: Then we must be bold.
[Tristan cuts the head off Wictred’s body and slowly stands. Marke nods]

~~
[As the drawbridge of the keep is lowered, King Donnchadh makes his way to the front]
King Donnchadh: Get back! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha!
[Tristan slowly steps out with the head of Wictred in his hands]
Tristan: Behold! The head of a traitor!
[Marke and his generals step out]
Marke: Will you always be little men, hat cannot see what was...and could be again? There is no middle ground! So slay us! [points to King Donnchadh] or slay him!
King Donnchadh: Oblige them. Oblige them!
[He attacks people around him, but is shot in the back by an arrow. Suddenly the Irish and the British start to fight. Tristan falls to the ground and Marke runs to his side]
Tristan: Take me out of here. Take me to the river.

~~
[Isolde comes to the battle and is grabbed by General who drags her to the riverside]
Kurseval: Hurry!
Marke: Bring her.
Leon: Marke, you must come, the battle needs you. We’ll lose everything.
Marke: I must heed their call, I am the King.
Leon: We’ve driven them back as far as we can but they hold on the south road.
Kurseval: Goodbye my friend.
[Marke and his generals leave and Isolde goes to Tristan’s side]
Isolde: Know that I love you Tristan. Wherever you go, whatever you see, I will always be with you.
Tristan: You were right. I don't know if life is greater than death... but love was more than either.
[Tristan dies and Isolde weeps. We see Tristan and Isolde back in the hut in Ireland as she reads to him]
Isolde: "My face in thine eyes, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres,
Without sharp north, without declining west?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or thou and I.
Love so alike, that none can slacken, none can die."
[They kiss]

~~
Their love did not bring down a kingdom. Legend says that Marke defeated the Irish, rebuilt Castle Dor and reigned in peace until the end of his days.

Isolde laid Tristan beneath the ashes of the Roman ruin, planted his grave with two willows that grew forever intertwined… then disappeared