The Power of the Dog Script

Including scenes that were modified and/or removed. Written by Jane Campion, based on the novel by Thomas Savage. #ThePowerOfTheDog ⎯ B.H.

[The Power of the Dog Script @TPOTDscript]

[As Peter sees George leave, he goes back into the barn and walks up beside Phil staring down his departing brother.] #ThePowerOfTheDog

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This account might start tweeting out script lines with screencaps. I'm thinking about it.

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[CUT TO BLACK]

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Thank you for following along. It was a pleasure. Please feel free to revisit any time. I know I’ll be reading it again soon. If you can’t stop thinking about the film, do read Savage’s novel for more in-depth gems. And a special shout out to Jane Campion for bringing it to life.

[The Power of the Dog Script @TPOTDscript]

➤ Hello. This is an account dedicated to tweeting the official #ThePowerOfTheDog script. Written by Jane Campion and based on the novel by Thomas Savage. I'm a big fan of the book and film and would like to share her adapted words. Tell your friends and follow for daily tweets.

[The Power of the Dog Script @TPOTDscript]

[Peter takes up the now complete paper rose from his bedside table and looks at it from every side.]

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“Anthrax is a disease of animals communicable to man. It finds its way into the human bloodstream through cuts or breaks in the skin from a man’s handling the hide of a diseased animal…”

[Peter smooths the page and carefully closes the book.]

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[With tweezers and glue, Peter fastens the quote into his scrapbook. Loose next to it is his father’s open medical book. We just glance at the open page.]

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PETER (muttering): ‘Deliver my soul from the sword, my darling, from THE POWER OF THE DOG.’

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[Peter sits at his desk. Under his feet is the curled rope. He turns to Psalm 22:20 from the Common Prayer Book. He cuts with his father’s scalpel the words he so liked from the book.]

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[George stands still and pulls Rose towards him. He kisses her. Peter watches, pleased.]

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[Peter opens the window and looks out. At first, they are hidden in the black of the shadows. He hears his mother’s voice as George and her move softly into the moonlight holding hands.]

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[Peter washes his hands carefully in his bedroom sink then wets and combs his hair. The dogs begin barking as the Dodge returns.]

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[Peter sits cross legged and begins to read Psalm 22:20.]

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[Peter browses among the books in the bookcase. It is growing dark in the lounge room so he brings them close. “Memoirs of the Russian Court”, ”Grasses of the Western United States” and “The Book of Common Prayer”.]

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[The sun has slipped behind the house which lays a black shadow across the road that creeps up the face of the hill. Peter looks at it, moved.]

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[Peter is in his cleaned tennis shoes playing out in the yard with the black and white Collie dog he befriended. He laughs finding it funny that it snaps and barks at its reflection in the ranch house ground level windows.]

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[The post funeral chatter is at its peak as the mourners of Phil’s shortened life fill the reception room eating the elegant chicken and cress sandwiches and sipping on small glasses of sherry, brandy or champagne.]

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[George shakes his head.]
GEORGE: But he never handled diseased animals. He was particular on that!

[The doctor nods.]

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DOCTOR: Anthrax.

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DOCTOR: Terrible, truly frightful. You know what I’m thinking?

[George looks at the Doctor.]

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DOCTOR: Those last convulsions...

[George looks down and shakes his head.]
GEORGE: Yes.