THE SEA DEVIL ©2011 by Marcus J. Fisk This is an adventure story of a vibrant, Quixotic, and romantic character – Count Felix von Luckner. His life was chronicled by writers and journalists, and like a contemporary of his -- T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) -- both fought superbly in World War I and yet both were completely ignored by their native countries or are parenthetical references to that war. In Luckner’s time the world was emerging from the Victorian age, shedding its innocence, and receiving the cruel baptism of the 20th Century. He was a contrast – a bold and blustery sea-faring warrior who ran the British blockade in a converted, square-rigged sailing ship, raided commercial shipping and captured l4 ships and their crews. As a warrior he was highly decorated for valor in combat, he also received a humanitarian medal by the Pope. Luckner ran away from his aristocratic home at age thirteen, lived under an assumed name to hide his nobility and started a life-long love affair with ships and the sea. His adolescence was spent at sea aboard clippers and brigantines, and ashore as a wrestler, a prize fighter, a dishwasher, an assistant lighthouse keeper, and in the Salvation Army. After drifting for seven years he went home to Germany, finished school, and became a Lieutenant in the Imperial Naval Reserve. Only then, did he return home to his parents, who presumed him dead. In WWI he was granted command of a reconfigured clipper ship to run the British blockade and harass enemy commercial shipping. His brilliant deceptive tactics were so effective and his record so impressive, that the British nicknamed him “the Sea Devil.” During the eight months he ran the blockade Luckner and his crew sank 14 ships worth $25 Million in goods and kept countless other ships in port for fear of capture. It was reported that when the Count put to sea, Lloyd’s of London shipping insurance premium rates went through the roof. He was that feared. 1 His ship, the “Seeadler,” was specially configured to house the crews and officer of the vessels he captured. The captured officers of his famous “Captain’s Club” spent many long days at sea seated around a table on the after deck playing cards, drinking, and telling sea stories. When the ship was full to capacity, Luckner would drop off the captured crews on islands where Allied shipping would eventually stop, equipped with enough provisions to last until they were repatriated by the allies. During WWI he was captured twice and escaped once, ending the war as a POW in New Zealand. History is often fickle. Luckner, a legend in his time, is mostly forgotten in the history books. It is a sad commentary, for as Luckner and his sailing adventures were front page news in his day, today he is lost in the archives. In the 1930’s he sailed the world on a goodwill tour, lectured, and ultimately was designated as persona-non-grata by the Nazis. During World War II he helped a young Jewish woman escape Nazi Germany and surrendered the city of Halle under a flag of truce before the ancient city was leveled by the US Army. An 80 year old man who could still rip a telephone book in half, Luckner’s chivalric, swashbuckling gave way to the more technologically-oriented sailors of the 20th Century. Reading his story, however, one cannot help but be drawn to this man of character, principle and riveting action. Just as truth is more interesting than fiction – the most compelling point to remember when telling this story on the screen is that this is a true story. Luckner’s own words however, capture his essence: “Honor, where honor is due.” 2 THE SEA DEVIL by Marcus J. Fisk Marcus J. Fisk 407 N. Washington Street Apt. #1 Alexandria, VA 22314 703-608-1117 [email protected] 3 BLACK SOUND – The rising and falling sounds of the sea, gently mixing with the sounds of gulls and the wind. Starts to fade and blends with a clock ticking slowly. INT – A STUDY. We see a ship’s clock. We move slowly across a post-Victorian study. It is a wealthy but rugged room. We see memorabilia of a sea-going man. Framed photos of square-rigged ships are hanging on the lush wood walls. A shadowbox hangs on the wall, in it a Pour le Mérite (the Blue Max), Knight’s Cross, several Iron Crosses, and numerous other German military decorations. We then see a photo of a man in uniform of a Lieutenant Commander, German Imperial Navy. In stark contrast to the strength and rigidity of the be-medaled, double-breasted long coat open cavalierly at the waist, his hands are shoved in his pockets. The man has a wide, knowing grin on his face, approaching defiance – to everything. Next, more shots of him, showing a man aging with vigor, a pipe clenched in his teeth, and ship’s crews in frames. Next we see a sextant, long glass, nautical charts, navigator’s dividers and compass, parallel rules, a boat compass and other nautical tools and publications on our trip around the room. Finally, the CAMERA settles on a large model of a Clipper ship on the table. It is beautiful, detailed and impressive. The model has “Seeadler” engraved on the base. A large puff of pipe smoke floats through the ship’s rigging. The ship’s clock strikes six bells. A silhouette of a large man knocks out the ashes into an ashtray and picks up a captains cap off the table. The figure lumbers over to the door, picks up a suitcase and walks out into the light. The door closes as we follow the figure outside through a window to a waiting car and driver in attendance. The driver bows and closes the door, gets into the driver’s side and the car pulls out of shot. CAPTION: “This is a true story” EXT – Night scene of Berlin from the air. POV – Cockpit on final approach, looking at the atrocious weather. Wipers thrashing against the torrents, twinkling, misshapen lights of the city and runway in view. 4 EXT. – A plane touches down on runway, landing lights scorching the night, beacons flashing, the spray flying as the giant wheels make contact with the tarmac. EXT. - Lights swing through our view as the plane turns into the gate. EXT. – A car approaches the bottom of the ramp. Doors open. A large figure in a greatcoat and captain’s cap walks powerfully down the ramp and pulls himself into the back seat of the car. Door closes and the driver pulls away from the ramp into the drenching night. EXT. – HOTEL ENTRANCE. Car stops under the awning and a BELLMAN hurries down to the car’s back door. Another bellman that approaches with an umbrella to shield the passenger. The driver opens the boot, handing luggage to yet another bellman. All other activity stops as the staff watches the passenger emerges from the car. They all strike a pseudo ‘attention’ position as the entourage passes through the front door. INT. – HOTEL LOBBY. Our passenger walks to the desk, the entire lobby staff bowing as he passes. He registers. INT. - INTO FRAME – KURT and MICHAEL. MICHAEL, a 30s American journalist, looks completely disheveled, a rumpled excuse for a man, is carrying a suitcase and a briefcase. KURT is German; a man in his 40’s, proper in stance, impeccably groomed, and is helping Michael with his bags. KURT (Hands the bellman the bags.) Bitte. First a drink. Then we start. MICHAEL Jeezus, Kurt. I’m dead. Todtmude. Tomorrow? KURT (Pushing his friend into the cocktail lounge) The New York Times doesn’t wait, now does it old man? MICHAEL All the news – that fits— 5 MICHAEL AND KURT -- We Print!!! INT – BAR. MICHAEL collapses into a chair at a table. KURT sits next to him. KURT (To waitress) Drei bier and drei cognac, bitte. (She exits. To MICHAEL) Fix your tie and your hair. First impressions… MICHAEL This is a good deal? International assignment. I’m supposed to cover the Berlin Wall, escapees, tanks, barbwire, Checkpoint Charlie – KURT Ja, ja – Spies coming in from the cold…. MICHAEL Ok - Ok. So what’s the big deal about this Count, anyway? I’m a journalist. I don’t write gossip. KURT You want a story? Adventure? Life and death? MICHAEL 1,000 words a day or my editor yanks my Visa, my per diem and I’m back on the night Police beat. KURT You’ll have your copy. Trust me. He sank 14 ships in World War I. One casualty. Decorated by the Kaiser for valor and by the Pope for humanitarianism. The Sea Devil has had a colorful life. A massive hand slams down on KURT’s shoulder from behind. 6 LUCKNER (A roaring laugh) And a rich one at that, By Joe!!! KURT Gruss Gott!!! (Rises) Graf von Luckner!!! LUCKNER Du siehst sehr gut aus, mein Kurt! (Hugs KURT) KURT Danke sehr. ACH! Entschuldigen sie mir. Graf Luckner -- Michael Frost MICHAEL (Rises. Takes Luckner’s vice-like grip) Es freut mich. LUCKNER Bitte. In the presence of the great American Press, we should speak English! The WAITRESS brings the beer and the cognacs. LUCKNER (Cont’d) Ah, beer and cognac. Just like your father. Mr. Frost – MICHAEL -- Please -- Michael. LUCKNER Michael. (Indicating KURT) Did you know his father? MICHAEL No. LUCKNER Karl Kircheiss was my best officer. A great seaman and (needling Kurt)a POET!!! Which explains why his son is such a 7 fine writer.