The Scorpion King (2002) - full transcript

(LOUD REVELRY)

(REVELRY CONTINUES)

(GRUNTS)

We have killed Babylonians!

(CHEERING)

We have killed Mesopotamians!

(ALL CHEERING)

We have killed Assyrians,

Mycenaeans, Sumerians.

But

we have never had the pleasure



of killing

an Akkadian.

(GRUNTS)

Which limb do I take first?

May the gods have pity on you

because my brother will not.

(GROWLS)

(SCREAMING)

Boo.

(ALL SCREAMING)

(YELLING)

You missed.

(YELLING)

You're lucky
we have the same mother.



MALE NARRATOR: Before the time
of the pyramids

a fearsome horde
came from the East

and swept across the barren
lands of the ancient world.

(HORSES WHINNYING)

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

NARRATOR: By the law
of the horde

their greatest warrior
was proclaimed their king.

His name was Memnon.

He was the greatest swordsman
the world had ever seen.

With the predictions
of a sorcerer

who could foretell the outcome
of every battle,

Memnon slaughtered
all who resisted him

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

until only
a brave few remained.

(ALL ARGUING)

SHence!

My father has called
for silence!

Hold your tongues!

We are gathered in this place
to put our differences aside.

There is still time for us,
the last of the free tribes,

to stand together
against this tyrant.

With his sorcerer at his side,
no mortal can defeat Memnon.

And if the sorcerer
were to die, what then?

It's too late
for your schemes, Pheron.

I have raided
Memnon's caravans,

broken the supply lines
to his troops,

but he still swept across
the land like a plague.

I will not send my people to their
deaths in a battle that can't be won.

And what people
would that be, Balthazar?

You are the ruler of nothing

but a pile of rocks and sand.

If I'm no king,

(GROANS)

why are you
on your knees before me?

Balthazar! Guards!

Akkadians. I thought they were
wiped out long ago.

They are the last
of their kind.

By their hand,
the sorcerer will die.

You put your faith in a clan of
cutthroats who kill for money?

They are more than that.
They are skilled assassins

trained for generations
in the deadly arts.

And what price do these
mercenaries ask from us, Father?

Twenty blood rubies.

That's the last
of our treasury.

Be quiet.

If these men kill the
sorcerer, will you fight?

(MURMURING)

(ALL SHOUTING)

So be it.

As long as one of us
still breathes

the sorcerer will die.

Assassin!

Him, we'll kill for free.

We can reach Memnon's
encampment by nightfall.

When are you gonna get rid
of that filthy beast?

He doesn't mean
anything by it.

Horses are faster.

But camels are smarter.

(GRUNTS)

(WHISTLES SOFTLY)

(GRUNTS)

That one's mine.

Live free.

Die well.

Stop. Stop. Listen to me.
I am a high priest of Set.

Spare me, and I shall bless thee
in five different languages.

You'll scream
in five different languages.

Horse thief.
Wait! Wait!

(WHISTLES)

(GRUNTS)

Hey! I'm not that heavy.

ARPID: Look out for the fat one!
He's behind you!

Help me! Help me!
Whoever you are, help me!

Oh, thank you.
Thank you, good sir.

Quiet.

Surely you've heard of the enormous
reward for my safe return.

The sorcerer's tent.

Back!

(GRUNTS)

(ALL YELLING)

MAN 1: Make way!
MAN 2: Find the other one!

You've been betrayed,
Mathayus.

You know my name?

And why you're here.

SOLDIER 13 He's in the tent!

SOLDIER 2: You!
Move around back!

(GRUNTING)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

A living, breathing Akkadian.
This is a rare pleasure.

I hear you train yourselves
to bear great pain.

You must teach me this,
if you live long enough.

Not looking so full of yourself,
are you now, assassin?

You betrayed your own father?

Yes. He was very shocked.

You could tell
by the look on his face.

By my father's head,
I pledge my allegiance.

MEMNON: You have proven
your loyalty, Takmet.

This one still lives.

Beautiful.

Bring him to me.

Mathayus.

Mathayus.

Live free.

Die well, my brother.

So,

how shall this one die?

He shall not die tonight.
Really?

We shall see.

Nor shall he die by your hand

or any hand you command.

You have seen this
in a vision?

To ignore this
would bring great misfortune.

The gods show him favor
on this night.

Just the gods?

A puzzle then.

How to kill you without using
my hand or any hand I command?

Fascinating, isn't it?

The smoke, it causes the fire ants
to abandon their homes, you see?

All the sooner
to feast on our naked heads.

(CHUCKUNG)

You think this is funny?
It's a little bit funny. Yes.

You see, I am about to escape

while you are about to die a horrible
death for leaving me to die last night.

So what are you waiting for?
You see that one up there?

He's been drinking that yak piss for about
an hour now and sometime very soon...

You see?

(GROANS)

Hey! Where's the horse thief?

(SCREAMING)

(GRUNTS)

All right. Come on.
Get me outta here.

Do you promise not to kill me?

Yes, I promise.

Remember, you are an Akkadian.

You make an oath, you always
have to keep it, right?

That's right.

Promise to take me with you and share
in the spoils of your adventures.

What? All right. Fine.
Yes, I promise.

All right. Now hold still.

Oh, here's one.
That's a big one!

My! Here comes the mother.

(GRUNTS)

So, where are we going?

To Memnon's kingdom
to avenge my brother's death.

Never touch the bow.
Not a problem.

(WHISTLES)

Who are you calling?
My ride.

It's a nice camel.

Not much room back here.
Scoot up, please.

Hey! We had a deal!

That's right.
And I haven't killed you yet.

What news
from my sorceress today?

(WOMAN SHRIEKING)

What news?

Your armies will conquer
in the West.

Queen lsis's forces will
scatter to the four winds.

Give the generals the news.

Have them make their armies
ready for the final campaign.

Yes, my lord.

(GROWLING)

You think I'm cruel,
don't you?

Perhaps you've forgotten what
it's like outside these walls.

Heartless,
ignorant and savage.

But I can change that.

I will bring order
after centuries of chaos.

An order which will last
for a thousand years.

Rivers of blood
can never bring peace.

But they can bring obedience.
That will suffice for now.

And when I have become
the king of legend,

then you shall
take your place beside me

on a throne and in my bed.

But, my lord,

in your bed I would lose
my gift of sight

and you would lose
your advantage in battle.

The day I speak of

is the day I no longer
need your vision.

Gomorrah.

Let me tell you,

after a hard day of looting and pillaging,
there is no greater city than Gomorrah.

Except maybe Sodom.

I wish I could join you.

You're not going?

Believe me, I'd like to even the score
with a few of those Red Guards myself.

But with the price I've got on my head,
I'd never make it through those gates.

I have faith in you,
my friend. You'll get us in.

You see? They've got the city sealed
up tighter than a crab's buttocks.

I wish there was something
I could do to help, but...

Oh, but there is.

What business
do you have here?

I've come to collect a bounty.

Horse thief.
Oh. I know this dog.

They'll behead him
for sure this time.

He'll be all the prettier
without it.

What happened?

You got us in.
I knew you could do it.

A jug of your finest wine
for my road-weary friend here.

Wait a minute.
The last thing that...

That I remember was this huge
Akkadian fist coming straight into...

Here's your wine, sir.

Please, let me know if there's
anything else you'd like.

It's good to be back
in the big city.

Watch my camel for me?
Gladly.

Been working here long time?

How's the kabob?

MAN: Merchandise
of the highest quality.

Virgin steel forged by
the monks of Pompeii.

Here! Here they are!
The world's finest swords.

You can't get respect in Gomorrah
without a quality blade...

Birds of paradise,
birds of prey.

The most beautiful birds
in the world.

Hey, soldier. Those big
muscles look cramped.

Perhaps one of us
can help you relax.

Maybe all of us.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Mister, mister. Guide, mister.

You need a guide
to find your way in Gomorrah.

A good guide might be able to show
me a way into Memnon's palace.

But a smart guide wouldn't, or he'd
be shown into Memnon's dungeon.

I don't have it.

Do you wanna earn this one?

(MEN LAUGHING)

(SHUSHING)

Get ready.
I'll kill half, you kill half.

All right. I'll kill them all.

How about we go around them
and not kill anybody?

Good Lord.
Are you going to kill me?

Maybe later.

Memnon's always threatening
to have my head.

Don't touch that.

What is it?

That's my special
magic powder.

Magic powder?

Yeah, magic powder.

It's a Chinese formula that I
procured at great expense.

If I get the recipe right,
it'll move mountains,

clear roadways in an instant.

Do great things,
wonderful things.

Or terrible things.

Like all my inventions, Memnon
will try to use it for war.

Where is Memnon?

Oh, you mean to
kill him, do you?

Yes.
Well, in that case,

I'd say he was
in the training courtyard.

(GRUNTING)

(ALL APPLAUDING)

(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

No! Let me go!

I didn't do anything!

You know the penalty
for thievery.

No!

Oh, no.

BOY: No!

MAN: Intruder!

Follow me!

You again.
How do I get outta here?

Through that door.

What's that?

That's one of my
latest inventions.

It was meant to be a means
of quick transportation

but there was a little problem
with the landings.

GUARD: Open!

Open! Don't touch that.
You'll set it off.

Right.

(SCREAMING)

Oh.
Oh, my!

A man.

MATHAYUS: What is this place?
Lord Memnon's harem.

But he visits so rarely.

And it gets so lonely.

Can't you leave me alone,
Thorak?

Watch your tongue, Philos.

Careful with those!
They're delicate instruments.

You're lucky Lord Memnon has a taste
for your "science," you old fool.

If I find out you had anything
to do with this intruder

I will send the executioner.

We know how to please.

Oh, I'm sure you do, ladies, but I...
Stay with us.

Stay with us.

That's nice,
but now's not a good time.

We will make your
every fantasy come true.

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

Kill him!

After him!

Go get him!

(SCREAMING)

Well, are you gonna try to
kill me or just stare at me?

(GROANS)

Take a breath.

(SCREAMING)

Gods be praised!

How dare you touch me!

Sorceress, I am an Akkadian
hired to kill you.

Now, I find myself in a position where
you are of more use to me alive.

Don't make me change my mind.

And he said it's not
the size of the hump,

it is the motion of the camel.

(ALL LAUGHING)

(HORNS SOUNDING)

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

Alas, I must leave you now.

There's the traitor!
Oh, great gods!

ARPID: He is dead!

Just admit it,
you smelly camel!

I am your master now!
You belong to me!

He's dead! Dead!

Dead!

You are alive. I knew it!

Right.

I was just saying
to the camel,

"Camel, no one could kill
our good friend Mathayus."

Get on.

Why should I make it easy for you?
You're sworn to kill me.

Others will die first.

That's comforting.

So who is your friend?

Memnon's sorcerer.

Memnon's sorcerer?
Are you insane?

She's going to
get us all killed!

Memnon will have to leave the
safety of his palace to get her.

So you're going to use me
first and then kill me?

I feel so much better.

I could always do it the other
way around and kill you first.

So where are we going?

The Valley of the Dead.
The Valley of the Dead?

Nobody goes to
the Valley of the Dead!

That's why they call it
the Valley of the Dead!

Wait for me, please!

Take a dozen of your best men,
track him down, kill him

and bring her back to me.

Send me news when he's dead.

Yes, my lord.
My lord.

There are rumors spreading
to the armies that she's gone.

Is this true?
It is, my lord.

Then silence them!
They must believe she is here,

if only for a short time.

And when you
find the Akkadian,

give him this from me.

Are we where I think we are?

Yes.

Home.

Where are you going,
Sorceress?

(GRUNTING)

In a hurry
to get back to Memnon?

No, I'm in a hurry to get away from you.
I'll never go back to Memnon.

He's kept me prisoner
since I was a child.

Why did you help me
that night in the tent?

I knew you were the one man
who could help me escape.

Run if you like. There are worse
dangers out there than me.

MATHAYUS: What do you mean
you can't find it?

I know it's around here
somewhere.

What are you looking for?

Just a little place
to get out of the storm.

What storm?
You'll see.

Thorak.

Memnon didn't come, did he?

Sent his maggots
to do his work.

He's smarter than you think.

Or more cowardly.

Can I go home now?

Stay here. Cover up.

You'll be safe.

Look, sir.

He's attacking! Alone?

The sun has fried his brain.

A thousand duranas for the one
that brings me his head.

(HORSES WHINNYING)

Akkadian bastard!

Where is he?

This way!

You two first. Come on. Go.

(SCREAMING)

(SCREAMING)

Stay on the stones.

(GASPS)

(SCREAMING)

Come with me.

Don't touch that.

(SCREAMS)

Coward!

Show your face!

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(COUGHING)

The Akkadian.

Mathayus!

(CAMEL GRUNTING)

You are alive!

You swatted them like flies!
You are invincible!

Tell me. Do you think
you can save him?

His fever's high. The poison
was made with scorpion venom.

If he does live, the blood of the scorpion
will always flow through his veins.

(GRUNTS)

Sorceress.

It's a miracle.

She cured you. I knew it!
I felt her magic!

It almost killed her, but the
gods, they were on our side.

Why? Why would you
risk your life to save mine?

Because I believe
you can save the people.

The people are not my problem.
Memnon is.

You and the people
have the same problem.

(BIRD TWITTERING)

Pardon, my lord.
A message from Thorak.

Finally the Akkadian is dead.

Is there something wrong,
my lord?

Not at all.
Everything is in order.

In fact, things are
going so well

that I'm moving up our plans.

Tomorrow night, we feast to
celebrate our impending victory.

And then we'll drive the last
of the rebels into the sea.

Now, go.

My lord,

it is customary for the sorceress
to be present at these meetings.

Why is she not here today?

She's indisposed.

It is nothing serious, I hope.

If it were serious,
then you would know about it.

Now, go!

She is alive. She is with
him and he's coming here.

Get ready.

It works! It works!

My lady. How lovely to see you
out here in this desolate place!

Let me show you. it works!

Come, come, come!

My lady sorceress.

You see? I worked it out.

My Chinese formula.
My magic powder works!

All I needed was salt.
Petered salt.

It was here all the time.
This place is just full of it.

By the way, do any of you
happen to have any water?

What do you think?
Is it safe to drink?

(WHOOPING)

Not anymore.

Delicious. The sandstone
must act as a natural filter.

Quiet.

I'm alive! I'm alive!

For the moment.

Mathayus.

Move!

Assassin. The gods
are good to me.

When we last met,
you offered to kill me.

Now I have a chance
to return the favor.

You're trespassers here.

Our survival depends on this
place being kept a secret.

So we have a problem
as long as you're alive.

ARPID: No problem. I can
keep a secret like no other.

In fact, I cannot remember how we got here.
We took a left turn...

It's too late for that.
WOMAN: Balthazar!

This place is sanctuary
for all of Memnon's enemies.

You know that.
This man is dangerous.

Your judgment is clouded.

My judgment keeps
all of you alive.

This man cannot be trusted,
and I'll prove it.

Bring the woman to me.

The first man to touch her
will have to come through me.

I had hoped for nothing less.

(BOTH YELLING)

(ALL CHEERING)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(ALL CHEERING)

That's not fair.

(CLUCKING)

Get him.

No!

Yeah!

Do you yield?
Never.

Then you're a fool.

We're brothers
in the same cause.

Brothers?

You brought death
to my people.

Memnon will follow you. He
will come for his sorceress.

Yes, I know who she is.

And Memnon will stop at
nothing till she's returned.

He'll come swifter
and deadlier once he has her.

Memnon will stop at nothing.

Hide here as long as you can, but
believe me when I say he'll find you.

And if he isn't stopped, he'll sweep
across this land and kill all of you.

(LAUGHING)

And who's gonna stop him,
Akkadian?

You? Will you stand alone
before the fury of his armies?

Yes.

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

A gentleman always lets a lady win.
You didn't.

Best two out of three?

Dates?

Oh, thank you.

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

MEMNON: Cassandra!

I've had a vision.

Memnon will follow me here
and destroy these people.

You know this?

The things I see
are like shimmers in a pond.

Some are certain,
and some remain shadows.

But I do know this.

Memnon will release his armies and
ride straight through this place.

Memnon will die by my hand.

It seems the gods
favor me tonight, Akkadian.

(GROANS)

If you face Memnon,
you'll die.

That is your destiny.

I make my own destiny.

I need your help.

ARPID: You can't
leave us here.

Mathayus, don't be
so stubborn. Listen to reason.

You can't go alone. You're
going to get yourself killed.

Where do you think
you're going with my horse?

To Gomorrah. Nothing we
can say will stop him.

Without your sorceress?

She returned to save the lives
of your people.

I won't let her
face Memnon's wrath alone.

Step aside.
Akkadian,

you're riding to your death.

If I let you ride alone,

what glory will there be
left for me?

(DRUMS BEATING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

So tonight we celebrate.

Eat and drink your fill

for tomorrow
we ride into battle.

(ALL CHEERING)

I would've captured him myself,
but he ran like a coward.

He left his bow behind.

(WOMEN LAUGHING)

My lord.

There is something that is
troubling our soldiers.

How distressing. Pray tell.

It's been said the sorceress
is no longer by your side.

Soldiers will fall prey

to idle palace gossip.

You have my word,
she's perfectly safe.

If the men are to fight,
to die,

they may need more than that.

Do you doubt my word?

It is not that, sire.

It's just she is a symbol from
which the men derive courage.

Symbols are
most effective when seen.

SORCERESS: My lord.

(CROWD MURMURING)

I am here at your request.

Pardon my absence.

I was not well.

But our impending victory
has lifted my spirit.

Is this sufficient
to placate your men?

Tell them what you see,
Sorceress.

I see a great victory.

Your enemies will
reveal themselves to you.

Halt.

What is in the cart?

"What is in the cart"?

Actually, it is
a bit of a surprise.

A gift for
tonight's festivities.

Prince Takmet's request.

Very nice.

Well, now. Let's see
that pretty little face.

(GROANS)

(SCREAMING)

Now go to my chambers.
We have things to discuss.

My sincerest apologies,
my lord.

I understand.

You are fearful, weak.

(ALL GASP)

The feast is over.

To bed, men,
for tomorrow we conquer.

Fortify the palace guard.

(GRUNTING)

Whoa.

All right. That was
the easy part.

Everybody know what to do?
Cripple the guards.

Ignite the powder.

And try not to get killed.

What are you doing here?
You could get hurt.

So could you.

Stay in the wagon.

You watch yourself, Akkadian.

No need for concern, miss.

Oh, he's gonna pay for that.

Hey, hey.

Seal the gates.
Seal all the gates.

Though I'm relieved
to see you unharmed,

I am somewhat surprised
the Akkadian didn't kill you.

He was after you.
I was merely a pawn.

But you escaped his grasp?

I'm not without my wiles.

Yes, I'm well aware of that.
Bring them.

Tomorrow my victory
is complete.

That is your vision?
As I said, I have seen it.

Have you?

I sense a change in you.

You seem somehow

diminished.

I assure you. I am myself.

Good. A small demonstration
shouldn't trouble you then.

A simple test.

(SNAKE HISSING)

Now go. Everyone leave.

Where am I going?

Stop.

It's over there.

Should be just there.

Good man.

Well, well.

What do we have here?

(GRUNTS)

One at a time.

Six urns, four cobras.

Now. Let's see
what you can see.

ExceHenL

One empty pot left now.

Who dies first?

We're almost there.

You know what I see? Fear.

You have lost your power,

thrown it all away.

What magic is this?
My magic.

I see your fate, hollow king.

And its time has come.

You wish to test magic
against steel?

I've come for the woman
and your head.

The assassin
and the sorceress,

how romantic.

I'll bury you both together.

And here it is,
the foundation stone.

Hurry, we're
running out of time.

I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying.

Fire in front,
palace guard at your back.

Looks like I'll be keeping
my head after all, Akkadian.

Kill the witch!

(YELLING)

Mathayus!

For your father.

(GROANING)

Die well, assassin.

(GRUNTING)

(GROANS)

it seems the gods
favor me tonight, Akkadian.

Mathayus!

(GROANS)

Hurry up and light it.

You hurry up and light it.
This is your invention.

Follow me.

Ready! Weapons!

(MATHAYUS GROANING)

So much
for not getting killed.

Catch this.

Hail to the king!
ALL: Hail, hail!

I knew it from the start.

Hail!
Yeah!

Mathayus!

(ALL CHEERING)

Stay here with us, Balthazar.
There's much work to be done.

I have to look after
my own people.

You're a king now, Akkadian,
and a good one, I think.

Don't forget how you got here
or the people you came from.

My people will
live on through me.

Remember, there'll always be
a place for you here.

Live free.
Rule well.

Remember, Nubian eyes will be
watching you, Scorpion King.

I see a time of great peace
and prosperity ahead.

How is it you see this?

Don't the legends say you'll
lose your powers if you...

Can you think of a better way to
keep a king from taking advantage?

Well, neither could
my ancestors.

And how long will
this time of peace last?

Nothing lasts forever,
my king.

That is the destiny
of all kingdoms.

Then we'll make
our own destiny.

(ALL CHEERING)

(I STAND ALONE PLAYING)

I've told you this once before

You can't control me

If you try to take me down
you're gonna break

And I feel your every nothing
that you're doing for me

I'm picking you out of me

You run away

I stand alone inside

I stand alone

You're always hiding behind
your so-called goddess

So what you don't think
that we can see your face

Resurrected back
before the final fallen

I'll never rest until
I can make my own way

I'm not afraid of fading

I stand alone

Feeling your sting
down inside me

I'm not dying for it

I stand alone

Everything that
I believe is fading

I stand alone inside

I stand alone

And now it's my time

Now it's my time

It's my time to dream

It's my time to dream

Dream of the sky

Dream of the sky

Make me believe that
this place is invaded

By the poison in me

Help me decide
if my fire will burn out

Before you can breathe

Breathe into me

I stand alone inside

I stand alone

Feeling your sting
down inside me

I'm not dying for it

I stand alone

Everything that I believe
is fading

I stand alone inside

I stand alone inside

I stand alone inside

I stand alone inside

(ALONG THE WAY PLAYING)

I'm dizzy and weary
from the heat

As the sands erase
the hands of time

Do a job with you involved
This is a betrayal

I walk through the valley
and stab him to death

I see a face I
can't seem to forget

The war you wage

Whatever that happens you pay

Something wrong in you

Comes alive in your hate

Lose yourself
in some kind of hell

Left you burnin' up
where you are now

You'll never ever get out

No

Somewhere along the way

Time changes everything

This race cannot be won

Some days it crawls
while other days it flies

It feeds on our flaws
It knows no compromise