[Quick Summary: Major Reisman has to train the "Dirty Dozen," a group of felons and death row inmates, for a surprise attack on the enemy.]
I was surprised at the detailed attention to character in this script.
For example, Maggot, the fanatic who wants to stamp out evil women, could have easily been a cardboard stereotype.
Instead, the writers added a beat to throw us into doubt, and set up a future event.
Notice in the scene below:
- It describes Maggot's unconscious behavior (my underlines below).
- We unsure if he is even aware what he is thinking.
- This setup is a hint that pays off when Maggot goes berserk later.
EXT. WATCHTOWER COMPOUND NIGHT
...As MAGGOT climbs down the tower and sets off around the perimeter, he keeps up a constant stream of muttered imprecations.
MAGGOT: Spitting in the face of the redeemer...That's what he's doing - defiling the purity of souls that were sent into this world to live clean...
It is doubtful whether his words even have any meaning for MAGGOT, but he breathes them out as if they were some incantation that will destroy all evil spirits.
NEW ANGLE
As he gets near REISMAN'S hut, MAGGOT's speech becomes nothing more than a fierce, rhythmic breathing, but his mouth keeps moving as if it were forming words.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I liked that the audience is ahead of the character. We see he's unhinged, but he does not. It adds to the anticipation.
Dirty Dozen (1967)(draft dated 2/4/66)
by Nunnelly Johnson and Lukas Heller
Based on the novel by E.M. Nathanson
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