Sense and Sensibility Script
EXT. OPEN ROADS - NIGHT - TITLE SEQUENCE
A series of traveling shots. A well-dressed, pompous-looking
individual (JOHN DASHWOOD, 35) is making an urgent journey
on horseback. He looks anxious.
EXT. NORLAND PARK - ENGLAND - MARCH 1800 - NIGHT
Silence. Norland Park, a large country house built in the
early part of the eighteenth century, lies in the moonlit
parkland.
INT. NORLAND PARK - MR DASHWOOD’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
In the dim light shed by candles we see a bed in which a MAN
(MR DASHWOOD, 52) lies his skin waxy, his breathing laboured.
Around him two silhouettes move and murmur, their clothing
susurrating in the deathly hush. DOCTORS. A WOMAN (MRS
DASHWOOD, 50) sits by his side, holding his hand, her eyes
never leaving his face.
MR DASHWOOD
(urgent)
Is John not yet arrived?
MRS DASHWOOD
We expect him at any moment, dearest.
MR DASHWOOD looks anguished.
MR DASHWOOD
The girls--I have left so little.
MRS DASHWOOD
Shh, hush, Henry.
MR DASHWOOD
Elinor will try to look after you
all, but make sure she finds a good
husband. The men are such noodles
hereabouts, little wonder none has
pleased her.
They smile at each other. MRS DASHWOOD is just managing to
conceal her fear and grief
MRS DASHWOOD
But Marianne is sure to find her
storybook hero.
MR DASHWOOD
A romantic poet with flashing eyes
and empty pockets?
MRS DASHWOOD
As long as she loves him, whoever he
is.
MR DASHWOOD
Margaret will go to sea and become a
pirate so we need not concern
ourselves with her.
MRS DASHWOOD tries to laugh but it emerges as a sob. An older
MANSERVANT (THOMAS) now enters, anxiety written on every
feature.
THOMAS
Your son is arrived from London,
sir.
MR DASHWOOD squeezes his wife’s hand.
MR DASHWOOD
Let me speak to John alone.
She nods quickly and he smiles at her with infinite
tenderness.
MR DASHWOOD
Ah, my dear. How happy you have made
me.
MRS DASHWOOD makes a superhuman effort and smiles back. She
allows THOMAS to help her out. She passes JOHN DASHWOOD as
he enters, presses his hand, but cannot speak. JOHN takes
her place by the bed.
JOHN
Father...
MR DASHWOOD summons his last ounces of energy and starts to
whisper with desperate intensity.
MR DASHWOOD
John you will find out soon enough
from my will that the estate of
Norland was left to me in such a way
as prevents me from dividing it
between my families.
JOHN blinks. He cannot quite take it in.
JOHN
Calm yourself, Father. This is not
good for you.
But MR DASHWOOD continues with even greater determination.
MR DASHWOOD
Norland in its entirety is therefore
yours by law and I am happy for you
and Fanny.
JOHN looks torn between genuine distress and unexpected
delight.
MR DASHWOOD
But your stepmother my wife and
daughters are left with only five
hundred pounds a year, barely enough
to live on and nothing for the girls’
dowries. You must help them.
JOHN’s face is a picture of conflicting emotions. Behind
them is the ominous rustling of parchments.
JOHN
Of course
MR DASHWOOD
You must promise to do this.
A brief moment of sincerity overcomes JOHN’s natural
hypocrisy.
JOHN
I promise, Father, I promise.
MR DASHWOOD seems relieved. Suddenly his breathing changes.
JOHN looks alarmed. He rises and we hear him going to find
the DOCTOR.
JOHN
Come! Come quickly!
But it is we who share the dying man’s last words.
MR DASHWOOD
Help them.
EXT. JOHN AND FANNY’S TOWN HOUSE - LONDON - DAY
Outside the house sits a very well-to-do carriage. Behind it
waits another open carriage upon which servants are laying
trunks and boxes.
FANNY (V.O.)
’Help them?’
INT. JOHN AND FANNY’S TOWN HOUSE - DRESSING ROOM - DAY
JOHN is standing in mourning clothes and a traveling cape.
He is watching, and obviously waiting for, a pert WOMAN (FANNY
DASHWOOD) who is standing by a mirror looking at him keenly.
FANNY
What do you mean, ’help them’?
JOHN
Dearest, I mean to give them three
thousand pounds.
FANNY goes very still. JOHN gets nervous.
JOHN
The interest will provide them with
a little extra income. Such a gift
will certainly discharge my promise
to my father.
FANNY slowly turns back to the mirror.
FANNY
Oh, without question! More than
amply...
JOHN
One had rather, on such occasions,
do too much than too little.
A pause as FANNY turns and looks at him again.
JOHN
Of course, he did not stipulate a
particular sum.
INT. LAUNDRY - NORLAND PARK - DAY
A red-eyed MAID (BETSY) plunges a beautiful muslin frock
into a vat of black dye.
INT. NORLAND PARK - MRS DASHWOOD’S BEDROOM - DAY
MRS DASHWOOD is rushing about, mourning ribbons flapping,
putting her knick-knacks into a small valise. The room is in
chaos. A young WOMAN (ELINOR DASHWOOD) looks on helplessly.
MRS DASHWOOD
To be reduced to the condition of
visitor in my own home! It is not to
be borne, Elinor!
ELINOR
Consider, Mamma! We have nowhere to
go.
MRS DASHWOOD
John and Fanny will descend from
London at any moment, followed no
doubt by cartloads of relatives ready
to turn us out of our rooms one by
one do you expect me to be here to
welcome them? Vultures!
She suddenly collapses into a chair and bursts into tears.
ELINOR
I shall start making inquiries for a
new house at once. Until then we
must try to bear their coming.
INT. JOHN AND FANNY’S CARRIAGE - DAY
JOHN and FANNY are on their way out of London.
JOHN
Fifteen hundred then. What say you
to fifteen hundred?
FANNY
What brother on earth would do half
so much for his real sisters--let
alone half-blood?
JOHN
They can hardly expect more.
FANNY
There is no knowing what they expect.
The question is, what can you afford?
INT. NORLAND PARK - DRAWING ROOM - DAY
A beautiful young WOMAN (MARIANNE DASHWOOD) is sitting at
the piano playing a particularly sad piece. ELINOR enters.
ELINOR
Marianne, cannot you play something
else? Mamma has been weeping since
breakfast.
MARIANNE stops, turns the pages of her music book and starts
playing something equally lugubrious.
ELINOR
I meant something less mournful,
dearest.
EXT. ROADSIDE INN - DAY
JOHN and FANNY are waiting as the OSTLERS make the final
adjustments to their carriage. The LANDLORD hovers, waiting
for a tip.
JOHN
A hundred pounds a year to their
mother while she lives. Would that
be more advisable? It is better than
parting with the fifteen hundred all
at once.
He displays some coins in his hand. FANNY removes one and
nods.
FANNY
But if she should live longer than
fifteen years we would be completely
taken in. People always live forever
when there is an annuity to be paid
them.
JOHN gives the coins to the LANDLORD.
EXT. NORLAND PARK - MARGARET’S TREE-HOUSE - DAY
ELINOR comes to the foot of a large tree from which a small
staircase issues.
ELINOR
Margaret, are you there? Please come
down. John and Fanny will be here
soon.
A pause. ELINOR is about to leave when a disembodied and
truculent young voice stops her.
MARGARET (V.O.)
Why are they coming to live at
Norland? They already have a house
in London.
ELINOR
Because houses go from father to
son, dearest not from father to
daughter. It is the law.
Silence. ELINOR tries another tack.
ELINOR
If you come inside, we could play
with your atlas.
MARGARET (V.O.)
It’s not my atlas any more. It’s
their atlas.
CLOSE on ELINOR as she ponders the truth of this statement.
INT. JOHN AND FANNY’S CARRIAGE - DAY
JOHN and FANNY joggle on.
JOHN
Twenty pounds now and then will amply
discharge my promise, you are quite
right.
FANNY
Indeed. Although to say the truth, I
am convinced within myself that your
father had no idea of your giving
them money.
JOHN
They will have five hundred a year
amongst them as it is--
FANNY
--and what on earth can four women
want for more than that? Their
housekeeping will be nothing at all
they will have no carriage, no horses,
hardly any servants and will keep no
company. Only conceive how comfortable
they will be!
INT. NORLAND PARK - SERVANTS’ HALL - DAY
The large contingent of SERVANTS who staff Norland Park are
gathered in gloomy silence as ELINOR addresses them.
ELINOR
As you know, we are looking for a
new home. When we leave we shall be
able to retain only Thomas and Betsy.
CAM holds on THOMAS and BETSY, a capable woman.
ELINOR
We are very sorry to have to leave
you all. But we are certain you will
find the new Mrs Dashwood a fair and
generous mistress.
EXT. NORLAND PARK. DRIVE - DAY
JOHN and FANNY’s carriage approaches Norland.
FANNY (V.O.)
They will be much more able to give
you something.
INT. JOHN AND FANNY’S CARRIAGE - DAY
JOHN and FANNY are about to get out.
JOHN
So we are agreed. No money but the
occasional gift of game and fish in
season will be very welcome.
FANNY
Your father would be proud of you.
INT. NORLAND PARK - DINING ROOM - EARLY EVE
The entire family, with the exception of MARGARET, is present.
BETSY is serving food in an atmosphere of stiff silence.
Cutlery clinks. JOHN chews loudly. MARIANNE is rigid with
resentment. MRS DASHWOOD maintains a cool, removed dignity.
ELINOR tries to play hostess.
ELINOR
How is Mrs Ferrars?
FANNY
My mother is always in excellent
health, thank you. My brother Robert
is in town with her this season and
quite the most popular bachelor in
London! He has his own barouche.
In the brief silence which follows this, FANNY surreptitiously
checks the hallmark on her butterknife.
ELINOR
You have two brothers, have you not?
FANNY
Indeed, yes. Edward is the eldest
Mamma quite depends upon him. He is
traveling up from Plymouth shortly
and will break his journey here.
MRS DASHWOOD looks at ELINOR pointedly. JOHN notices.
JOHN
(to MRS DASHWOOD)
If that is agreeable to you, of
course.
MRS DASHWOOD
My dear John this is your home now.
FANNY looks about, barely able to conceal her satisfaction.
INT. NORLAND PARK - ELINOR’S BEDROOM - DAY
ELINOR is sitting with a little pile of parcels. She puts a
shawl into some paper and ties it with ribbon as MARIANNE
thunders in, looking mutinous.
MARIANNE
Fanny wishes to know where the key
for the silver cabinet is kept.
ELINOR
Betsy has it, I think. What does
Fanny want with the silver?
MARIANNE
I can only presume she wants to count
it. What are you doing?
ELINOR
Presents for the servants. Have you
seen Margaret? I am worried about
her. She has taken to hiding in the
oddest places.
MARIANNE
Fortunate girl. At least she can
escape Fanny, which is more than any
of us is able.
ELINOR
You do your best. You have not said
a word to her for a week.
MARIANNE
(truculently)
I have! I have said ’yes’ and ’no’.
INT. NORLAND PARK - BREAKFAST ROOM - DAY
FANNY, MRS DASHWOOD, ELINOR and JOHN are at breakfast.
MARIANNE enters. ELINOR catches her eye and indicates FANNY
with a slight motion of her head. MARIANNE makes a face.
MARIANNE
(very polite)
Good morning, Fanny.
FANNY is rather startled.
FANNY
Good morning, Marianne.
ELINOR is relieved.
MARIANNE
(to Fanny)
How did you find the silver? Is it
all genuine?
ELINOR rushes in before MARIANNE gets any further.
ELINOR
Pray, when may we expect the pleasure
of your brother’s company?
FANNY
Edward is due tomorrow. And my dear
Mrs Dashwood, in view of the fact
that he will not be with us for long,
I wondered if Miss Margaret would
mind giving up her room to him the
view is quite incomparable from her
windows and I should so much like
Edward to see Norland at its best.
MARIANNE slams her cup down and throws a furious look at
ELINOR.
INT. NORLAND PARK - MARGARET’S BEDROOM - DAY
ELINOR and MARIANNE are removing MARGARET’s toys.
MARIANNE
Intolerable woman!
ELINOR
There is but one consolation if Edward
is anything like Fanny, we shall be
only too happy to leave.
EXT. NORLAND PARK - DRIVE - DAY
A very capable HORSEMAN (EDWARD FERRARS) canters up the gravel
drive.
CLOSE on his face as he gazes up at the elegant façade.
INT. NORLAND PARK - DRAWING ROOM - DAY
Everyone except MARGARET is present. EDWARD has just shaken
bands with ELINOR. He behaves with great respect to the
DASHWOODS and seems embarrassed by FANNY’s pro prietorial
air.
FANNY
But where is Miss Margaret? I declare,
Mrs Dashwood, I am beginning to doubt
of her existence! She must run
positively wild!
MRS DASHWOOD
Forgive us, Mr Ferrars. My youngest
is not to be found this morning. She
is a little shy of strangers at
present.
EDWARD
Naturally. I am also shy of strangers
and I have nothing like her excuse.
MARIANNE
(dangerous)
How do you like your view, Mr Ferrars?
ELINOR glances at her warningly but EDWARD replies with
careful consideration.
EDWARD
Very much. Your stables are very
handsome and beautifully kept, Mrs
Dashwood.
FANNY
Stables! Edward--your windows overlook
the lake.
EDWARD
An oversight, Fanny, led me to the
wrong room. I have rectified the
situation and am happily settled in
the guest quarters.
MARIANNE and ELINOR look at each other in surprise. FANNY
looks furious.
MRS DASHWOOD smiles warmly at EDWARD.
CLOSE on ELINOR. She is impressed.
INT. NORLAND PARK - STAIRCASE - DAY
FANNY is walking with EDWARD, who looks at the pictures with
interest.
FANNY
They are all exceedingly spoilt, I
find. Miss Margaret spends all her
time up trees and under furniture
and I have barely had a civil word
from Marianne.
EDWARD
My dear Fanny, they have just lost
their father their lives will never
be the same again.
FANNY
That is no excuse.
INT. NORLAND PARK - LIBRARY - DAY
FANNY leads EDWARD in. She sniffs with distaste.
FANNY
I have never liked the smell of books.
EDWARD
Oh? No. The dust, perhaps.
As they speak, EDWARD notices a large atlas retreating
apparently all by itself across the floor. Someone is
obviously under the table, pulling it out of sight. He
registers it and immediately moves in such a way as to shield
it from FANNY. He turns back, searching for something to
divert her.
EDWARD
I hear you have great plans for the
walnut grove.
FANNY
Oh yes! I shall have it pulled down
to make room for a Grecian temple.
There is a stifled wail from under the table, which EDWARD
covers with a cough.
EDWARD
How picturesque. Will you show me
the site?
And he ushers FANNY out, flicking a quick glance over his
shoulder at the fugitive’s foot.
INT. NORLAND PARK - VELVET ROOM - DAY
ELINOR, MRS DASHWOOD and MARIANNE are sitting round a table
with a pile of letters. ELINOR is handing one back to her
mother.
ELINOR
Too expensive. We do not need four
bedrooms, we can share.
MARIANNE
This one, then?
ELINOR reads the letter quickly.
ELINOR
Marianne, we have only five hundred
pounds a year. I will send out more
inquiries today.
There is a knock on the door. Hesitantly, EDWARD appears.
EDWARD
Pardon my intrusion, but I believe I
have found what you are looking for.
MARIANNE and MRS DASHWOOD are puzzled by his elliptical manner
but ELINOR immediately understands and rises, in smiling
relief.
INT. NORLAND PARK - ENTRANCE HALL OUTSIDE LIBRARY - DAY
EDWARD is standing outside keeping a discreet lookout. The
door is half open and he can hear ELINOR trying to coax
MARGARET out. FANNY walks by with a BUTLER to whom she is
giving instructions. EDWARD pretends to examine the mouldings
and she passes on unsuspecting.
ELINOR (V.O.)
Won’t you come out, dearest? We
haven’t seen you all day. Mamma is
very concerned.
More silence. EDWARD thinks hard. He makes a decision.
INT. NORLAND PARK - LIBRARY - DAY
EDWARD walks in loudly.
EDWARD
Oh, Miss Dashwood! Excuse me I was
wondering do you by any chance have
such a thing as a reliable atlas?
ELINOR looks up at him in astonishment.
ELINOR
I believe so.
EDWARD
Excellent. I wish to check the
position of the Nile.
EDWARD appears to be utterly sincere.
EDWARD
My sister says it is in South America.
From under the table we hear a snort. ELINOR looks at him in
realisation.
ELINOR
Oh! No, no indeed. She is quite wrong.
For I believe it is in--in Belgium.
EDWARD
Belgium? Surely not. You must be
thinking of the Volga.
MARGARET
(from under the table)
The Volga?
ELINOR
Of course. The Volga, which, as you
know, starts in...
EDWARD
Vladivostok, and ends in...
ELINOR
St Albans.
EDWARD
Indeed. Where the coffee beans come
from.
They are having such a good time that it is rather a pity
the game is stopped by the appearance from under the table
of MARGARET who reveals herself to be a disheveled girl of
eleven. She hauls the atlas up and plonks it in front of
EDWARD.
MARGARET
The source of the Nile is in
Abyssinia.
EDWARD
Is it? Good heavens. How do you do.
Edward Ferrars.
MARGARET
Margaret Dashwood.
EDWARD shakes MARGARET’s hand solemnly and looks over her
head at ELINOR. They smile at each other, a connection made.
INT. NORLAND PARK - DRAWING ROOM - ANOTHER DAY
JOHN is reading a newspaper. MRS DASHWOOD sits across from
FANNY, who thumbs through a fashion-plate magazine. ELINOR
is at a desk by the window writing a letter we see the words
’of course we should like to leave as soon as possible’.
Suddenly she hears a commotion outside. MARGARET runs past
the window brandishing a stick. EDWARD follows, and proceeds
to teach her the first principles of sword-fighting. They
feint and parry, EDWARD serious and without a hint of
condescension, MARGARET concentrating furiously. EDWARD
suddenly turns, as though feeling ELINOR’s gaze. She smiles
but looks away quickly.
INT. NORLAND PARK - VELVET ROOM - ANOTHER DAY
EDWARD comes into the doorway and sees ELINOR who is listening
to MARIANNE playing a concerto. ELINOR stands in a graceful,
rather sad attitude, her back to us. Suddenly she senses
EDWARD behind her and turns. He is about to turn away,
embarrassed to have been caught admiring her, when he sees
she has been weeping. Hastily she tries to dry her eyes. He
comes forward and offers her a handkerchief, which she takes
with a grateful smile. We notice his monogram in the corner:
ECF.
ELINOR
(apologetic)
That was my father’s favourite.
EDWARD nods kindly.
ELINOR
Thank you so much for your help with
Margaret, Mr Ferrars. She is a changed
girl since your arrival.
EDWARD
Not at all. I enjoy her company.
ELINOR
Has she shown you her tree-house?
EDWARD
Not yet. Would you do me the honour,
Miss Dashwood? It is very fine out.
ELINOR
With pleasure.
They start to walk out of shot, still talking.
ELINOR
Margaret has always wanted to travel.
EDWARD
I know. She is heading an expedition
to China shortly. I am to go as her
servant but only on the understanding
that I will be very badly treated.
ELINOR
What will your duties be?
EDWARD
Sword-fighting, administering rum
and swabbing.
ELINOR
Ah.
CAM tilts up to find MRS DASHWOOD on the middle landing of
the staircase, smiling down at them. CAM tilts up yet further
to find FANNY on the landing above, watching EDWARD and ELINOR
with a face like a prune.
EXT. NORLAND PARK - GARDENS - DAY
EDWARD and ELINOR are still talking as they walk arm in arm
in the late afternoon sun.
EDWARD
All I want--all I have ever wanted
is the quiet of a private life but
my mother is determined to see me
distinguished.
ELINOR
As?
EDWARD
She hardly knows. Any fine figure
will suit a great orator, a leading
politician, even a barrister would
serve, but only on the condition
&