Original Story and Screenplay by Frank O'Collins Based on the true story of Baron Maximilian von Ungern-Sternberg FIRST DRAFT 23rd February 2015 Copyright © 2013-2015 Frank O’Collins. All Rights Reserved. Deposited, receipted and certified with US Copyright Office and WGA FADE IN: TITLE CARD: “Rally your sons to our cause, To defend our homes against the Bloody Baron. Never was (there) a more cruel and dangerous tyrant, Than mad Baron Ungern-Sternberg” (Old Soviet Red Army Song) EXT. SOLITARY TRAIN, TRANS-SIBERIAN, EAST SIBERIA - DAY Against the backdrop of snow capped mountains towering above sweeping fields of grasslands, a solitary steam train plows along across the valley. As we move closer, we see the train in more detail - a mix of wooden freight and passenger carriages of different shapes and classes, interspersed with machine gun nests manned by soldiers arranged on flat bed trays, protected by sand bags and steel plates. Two oversized Imperial Russian flags flutter on either side of the locomotive as we move around and see an Imperial Russian Crest pinned to the front of the main boiler. Moving closer alongside the locomotive, we begin to see the horizon as the driver sees it. In the distance is the mirage of an approaching city. CUT TO: INT. 1ST CLASS CABIN, TRANS-SIBERIAN, EAST SIBERIA - DAY Inside one of the carriages, we see an assortment of men and woman and children of different ages and clothing - some sleeping, some playing cards and reading. A young handsome Imperial Russian officer in the colors and uniform of the Amur Cossacks (THE BARON) is sitting alone, staring out the window at the landscape and the approaching city. He briefly closes his eyes. CUT TO: MONTAGE OF VIOLENT BATTLE In an instant we are transported to a flood of images of the young Baron fighting hand to hand combat against Japanese soldiers from trenches overlooking a naval battle (Port Arthur). Bullets zing past him as men covered in mud and blood are screaming all around in pain and desperation. CUT TO: 2. INT. 1ST CLASS CABIN, TRANS-SIBERIAN, EAST SIBERIA - DAY The Baron opens his eyes as the train starts to slow down. We see the outskirts of the city pass by the window - images of peasants with horses and carts moving along a dirt road next to the rail line; and then the image of small factories and buildings; and then the image of half a dozen Cossacks on their horses with their rifles, eyeballing the slowing train as it trundles past them. CUT TO: EXT. BLAGOVESHCHENSK, AMUR REGION, EAST SIBERIA - DAY From a height, we see the train come to a stop at a quaint station, guarded by more Cossacks and next to a stationary train pointing in the opposite direction, festooned with Buddhist flags and symbols. SUBTITLE AT SCREEN BOTTOM: “Blagoveshchensk Station, Amur Region, East Siberia 1912” CUT TO: EXT. RUSSIAN TRAIN, BLAGOVESHCHENSK STATION - DAY As soon as the train stops, a flurry of activity erupts as porters rush towards the doors and soldiers step forward into position on the platform, cordoning off the front of the train from the people travelling at the back. We see Baron Ungern-Sternberg step out of his carriage and onto the platform, carrying his rifle and sack. He immediately looks at the back of the train where porters have started to off load horses. CUT TO: EXT. OPPOSITE PLATFORM, BLAGOVESHCHENSK STATION - DAY On the station platform opposite, an elderly impeccably dressed man with distinct Mongolian features (NAMNANSUREN) watches the activity with a wry smile as a large burly looking Cossack Officer (SEMYONOV) with two other Cossack soldiers (REZUKHIN and VESELOVSKII) watching on next to him. Rezukhin points out Baron Ungern-Sternberg to Semyonov and Veselovskii as they spot him shouting at a porter off loading a particular horse. The soldiers laugh as the horse finally settles down in the hands of the Baron. Hearing the laughter, the Baron over at the edge of the platform opposite. 3. SEMYONOV (Shouting) You are too late! THE BARON (Shouting) What? What did you say? CUT TO: EXT. EDGE OF STATION, BLAGOVESHCHENSK STATION - DAY We watch as Baron Ungern-Sternberg steadies his horse down a ramp from the Platform and then moves with his horse across the tracks to the edge of the platform opposite where Semyonov and the Cossack soldiers are standing with Namnansuren watching the unfolding events. At that moment, Baron Ungern-Sternberg is transfixed as a stunningly beautiful young woman in traditional Mongolian dress (ERDENE), accompanied by a thin and tall officious looking man (DAMDINI SUKHBAATAR) and two other guards appears on the platform. For a brief moment, she locks eyes with the Baron and gives the briefest smile. SEMYONOV (To Baron Ungern- Sternberg) I said you’re Late. The Parade was last month. Chuckles and laughter from the Cossacks. The Baron ignores them as he remains frozen and transfixed at the sight of Erdene who has now moved next to Namnansuren. THE BARON (Staring at Erdene) I am Baron Roman Nikolai Maximilian von Ungern-Sternberg. NAMNANSUREN (To the Baron) And I am Namnansuren Khan. Ruler of Sain Noyon and Prime Minister of Outer Mongolia. The Baron breaks his stare of Erdene and turns and bows to Namnansuren as three more Mongolian guards accompanying another official looking Mongolian man in a suit (MIJIDDORJIYN HANDDORJ), march over to Namnansuren. A seeming eternity of awkwardness passes as no-one speaks and the Baron dare not lift his head from his bow of respect. 4. As soon as he hears the shuffling of feet, he lifts his head to see Erdene is still staring at him smiling, as Namnansuren and the others have moved off. The Yet Erdene pauses, looking at the Baron a moment longer before Damdini Sukhbaatar taps her on the shoulder. She ignores Damdini Sukhbaatar for a second longer, then smiles and bows to the Baron, who bows in return, before Erdene turns and leaves with her guards ignoring Damdini Sukhbaatar altogether. Damndini Sukhbaatar locks eyes on the Baron, snarling at him, before swivelling on his heals and following after the rest of the Mongolian party. SEMYONOV (To the Baron) You certainly made a lasting impression by staring at his daughter. More laughter from the two other Cossacks as Semyonov steps down from the platform to the Baron. Semyonov extends his hand to the Baron. SEMYONOV (CONT’D) Grigory Mikhaylovich Semyonov. The Baron shakes his hand as he remains transfixed looking down the platform. THE BARON She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. What is her name? Semyonov chuckles and slaps the back of the Baron still holding the reigns of his horse. SEMYONOV And that is the closest you will ever get to see her my friend. Her name is Erdene and her train leaves within the hour to Irkutsk where we will leave them. (Pause) I still have time. Come, let me introduce you to the Colonel. Semyonov signals to Veselovskii to come down off the platform to where Semyonov and the Baron are standing. SEMYONOV (CONT’D) Stepan Borisovich will take good care of your horse for you. 5. The Baron nods and hands Veselovskii the reigns. CUT TO: EXT. COSSACK HEADQUARTERS, BLAGOVESHCHENSK - DAY Semyonov and the Baron salute the guards out the front of the Cossack headquarters and then march inside. CUT TO: INT. COLONEL’S OFFICE We see the Colonel (YAHIV KUKHARENKO) busily signing page after page of a pile of papers. There is a knock at the door. COLONEL KUKHARENKO Enter. Semyonov and the Baron march into the office and salute the Colonel. COLONEL KUKHARENKO (CONT’D) (To Semyonov) Captain, why aren’t you on a train with the Mongolians? Semyonov looks at the Baron and then back to the Colonel. SEMYONOV Colonel. My new Lieutenant has arrived, so I - COLONEL KUKHARENKO (To Semyonov) Damn it Semyonov. I am baby sitting the Prime Minister of Outer Mongolia and his delegation and the Chinese and their delegation and until they both leave safely without killing one another, I have General Suvorov the Commander In Chief for the District on my neck. And now you go and do this to me - THE BARON (To Colonel Kukharenko) Lieutenant Ungern-Sternberg reporting. COLONEL KUKHARENKO (To the Baron) Yes, I know who you are Baron. (MORE) 6. COLONEL KUKHARENKO (CONT'D) I know all about your exploits during the war with the Japanese and Americans. But that doesn’t change the fact that Semyonov disobeyed a direct - THE BARON (To Colonel Kukharenko) Begging your pardon Colonel but it was my idea. You see I request to accompany the Captain on his assignment sir. Semyonov looks at the Baron and then back to the Colonel as the Colonel is shaking his head. COLONEL KUKHARENKO Doesn’t anyone follow orders around here? I mean, sure why not take a vote? SEMYONOV (To Colonel Kukharenko) It will give me time get him up to speed. The Colonel puts his hands over his head, looking down. COLONEL KUKHARENKO Very well. Go GO! And if you miss that train, then I will have BOTH OF YOU arrested and court marshalled. Semyonov and the Baron salute and then turn and exit the office. CUT TO: EXT. BLAGOVESHCHENSK STREET - DAY Semyonov and the Baron are walking back along the street towards the Train Station. THE BARON Why did you do that? He could have had you arrested and shot? SEMYONOV Don’t worry about him. He is from the academy. All Bark. Not like a real soldier’s soldier. Besides, I made a bet with the other men you will fail to speak to the princess.