by

Roselyne Bosch

REVISED

September 23, 1991

FADE IN:

CREDITS AND MUSIC OVER:

INT. AUDIENCE ROOM - GRANADA - DAY

We start on a man's elegant slipper. He is seated in a

splendid chair. Moving up the stocking leg, we pass the

garter of Castile, coming to rest on a pair of delicate

hands. His fore finger impatiently plays with a large

topaz ring. Over this, we hear distant footsteps, echoing

on marble floors.

CUT TO:

A Castilian face: aquilaine profile, olive complexion,

dark eyebrows and meticulously sculpted beard. This is

TREASURER SANCHEZ.

A door slams somewhere, the footsteps getting closer. We

can now here a subdued conversation.

TREASURER SANCHEZ stands up as:

The door opens at the far end of the large gilded room.

A WOMEN, magnificent in somber taffeta, enters. QUEEN

ISABEL OF SPAIN moves towards him.

He bows slightly as she sits at the end of the large

table. She is followed by a PRIEST, BROTHER BUYL, and

three dignitaries of Church and State.

All sit beside her. TREASURER SANCHEZ takes a document

and starts to read aloud.

On screen the words: GRANADA - SPAIN - 1500

SANCHEZ

Your Majesty would wish to know the

true facts concerning the island of

Hispanola, our first settlement in

the New World, and the activities

there of your servant, Christopher

Columbus, Admiral of the Ocean Sea,

Governor of that Island. You will

remember with what hopes and

promises he beguiled us -- the truth

is that he now presides over a state

of chaos, degradation and madness

beyond imagining.

SANCHEZ punctuates each word carefully.

SANCHEZ

From the beginning, Columbus proved

himself incapable of managing the

affairs of the island. He appointed

his brothers to important positions,

at once injuring the pride and

dignity of the nobles who had gone

with him. He promised to build a

city, the City of Isabel, named

after Your Majesty. What he

actually built was nothing but a

collection of huts, and that in the

wrong place, for all of it was

easily swept away by rain and mud.

Is that not so, Brother Buyl?

The PRIEST nods.

BROTHER BUYL

Yes, Your Honor.

SANCHEZ

He promised gold. Not finding the

easy quantities he promised,

Columbus commanded each Indian to

pay an annual tribute. Most being

unable to, they were barbarously

punished, against the express wish

of Your Christian Majesties...

ISABEL lowers her eyes.

SANCHEZ

Since provocation and injustice

never ceases, many of the Indians

have fled to the forests, or have

begun to slay the Christians.

ISABEL looks over at BROTHER BUYL.

ISABEL

Could it be so?

BROTHER BUYL

Yes, Your Majesty.

SANCHEZ

But there is worse. From the

beginning, he forced the nobles to

undergo physical labor, treating

them equally with the Indians, all

of them reduced to slavery. When

the nobleman Adrian de Moxica

protested against such treatment...

(he pauses)

... he was executed.

(pause)

Is that not true also, Brother

Buyl?

BROTHER BUYL

Yes, Your Honor. It is all true.

All of it. I saw it with my own

eyes.

SANCHEZ

He has lost control. His great

arrogance has led him into

depravity. He encourages our

soldiers to marry the native women.

He promised a paradise, but he has

made a hell full of all its horrors.

Silence.

ISABEL

Is that the man I knew, Treasurer

Sanchez?

SANCHEZ

Yes, Your Majesty.

CUT TO:

INT. HUT - ISLAND - DAY

CLOSE ON the FACE: COLUMBUS is stretched on a bed,

sweating heavily in fever, clearly delirious. Insects

crawl over his face, he makes no effort to swat them away.

There is a dripping sound of water.

FERNANDO (V.O.)

Of all the words my Father wrote and

there were many, I remember these

the most. "Nothing that results

from human progress is achieved with

unanimous consent..."

Rain is falling into the room over documents spread on a

table. COLUMBUS stands up and moves to the table. Some

of the walls have been blackened with smoke and flames. A

lizard scuttles into the shadows.

FERNANDO (V.O.)

"And those who are enlightened

before the others are condemned to

purse that light in spite of

others..."

COLUMBUS stares down at the documents, moving them away

from the rain drips. He stares out by the window, and we

see:

A devastated landscape. Flooded roads, half-destroyed

huts, broken trees... A dog picks its way through the mud.

FERNANDO (V.O.)

There was a time when the New World

didn't exist...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. OCEAN - DAY

A vast stretch of ocean. It fills the screen. Unbroken,

infinite, luminous, mysterious -- it stretches away,

meeting and blending with the sky in pale ribbons of pearl

and misty light.

FERNANDO (V.O.)

... The sun set in the west on an

ocean where no man had dared to

venture. And beyond that,

infinity...

Pulling back, we discover:

A TEN-YEAR-OLD BOY and a strongly built man in his middle

thirties, are riding a mule. The MAN'S weather-beaten

face frames unusually bright eyes.

On the screen these words: ANDALUSIA, 1491

COLUMBUS AND HIS SON are following a windthrashed path at

the top of the hill. COLUMBUS hums a song, and FERNANDO

looks up at him in adoration.

FERNANDO (V.O.)

Once I asked my Father where he

wanted to go. And he replied: "I

want to travel all over the seas. I

want to get behind the weather..."

FERNANDO laughs. He then starts to hum along with his

FATHER.

CUT TO:

EXT. HILLSIDE APPROACH TO LA RABIDA - DAY

A rugged landscape, remote and steep, with lines of stone

walls and thousands of sheep.

FERNANDO, rushes down a slope, barking like a dog, chasing

the sheep who fan out in droves in front of him. High-

spirited and wild, FERNANDO laughs and tumbles over.

COLUMBUS rides his mule along the narrow track, watching

his SON'S antics with amusement. In the distance, the

solitary figure of A MONK SHEPHERD.

COLUMBUS calls out to his son:

COLUMBUS

Fernando!

FERNANDO runs over. COLUMBUS lifts him up onto the mule.

As they move along the track we now see, perched on a

distant hill, isolated and austere, the Monastery of La

Rabida, their destination.

EXT. CLOISTER - LA RABIDA - DAY

As they dismount and walk into the quiet cloisters,

FERNANDO suddenly spots a familiar FIGURE, standing under

the ROMAN arches.

FERNANDO

Diego!

He rushes over, full of joy, to kiss his BROTHER -- an

adolescent dressed in the novice-robe, with a solemn,

delicate face. DIEGO'S response is constrained.

COLUMBUS

Diego! Aren't you going to kiss

your brother?

DIEGO smiles a little, and kisses FERNANDO -- who is

immediately distracted by a procession of hooded MONKS,

hurrying to the refectory, as a bell begins to chime.

The MONKS all turn to greet ANTONIO DE MARCHENA, a white-

haired, elderly man -- and a monk cosmographer.

MARCHENA'S gesture is broad and elegant as he opens his

arms to greet COLUMBUS. He pats FERNANDO'S head and turns

to DIEGO.

MARCHENA

Diego, take Fernando to the dining

hall. He must be hungry.

DIEGO

Yes, Father.

Both CHILDREN leave under the arched roof. COLUMBUS and

MARCHENA begin to walk across the cloister.

MARCHENA

Diego is a bright boy -- a pleasure

to teach -- but so serious...

Brothers should be raised together,

Colon. Even brothers from different

mothers...

COLUMBUS

Father, I am doing what I think is

the best for him. And he has the

teacher I would have chosen for

myself.

MARCHENA laughs at the compliment.

MARCHENA

Just be careful you don't lose him.

They have crossed the cloister. MARCHENA pushes open a

door.

INT. A HUGE LIBRARY - LA RABIDA - DAY

Hundreds of books lined up on the shelves, displaying the

miracle of printing, a recent German discovery. Several

MONKS, perched on high stools behind lecterns, are busily

"ILLUMINATING" some of these massive volumes, delicately

painting around the letters in bright colors and gold

leaf.

Rays of light fall diagonally through high openings,

projecting geometric patterns on the tiled floor. As

MARCHENA and COLUMBUS move forward their conversation is

punctuated by light and shadow.

MARCHENA

(fumbles in a pocket

under his robe)

I have something for you.

Almost casually, he hands COLUMBUS a letter.

MARCHENA

You will be heard at the University

of Salamanca...

COLUMBUS stops dead in his tracks. Almost frantically he

tears open the letter, hardly able to believe his eyes.

COLUMBUS

God... That's in a week!

MARCHENA

That's what it says.

COLUMBUS

How did you manage it?

MARCHENA

(smiling)

With some difficulty. I had to

promise them you were not a total

fool.

MARCHENA pushes open a second door, hidden behind a wooden

panel.

INT. STUDY - LA RABIDA - DAY

MARCHENA is not a tidy man. Books are piled up on the

floor, the desk, on every shelf, along with maps,

instruments of astronomy... the visible evidence of an

inquiring mind.

With practiced familiarity, as if they had done this a

hundred times -- which indeed they have -- MARCHENA sits

behind his desk, and COLUMBUS opposite him. MARCHENA

lights a candle and considers the mess. Then

methodically, he slowly sweeps it from in front of him

with his sleeve, exposing a large map underneath.

When he looks up again, there is a new severity in his

expression. He turns over an hourglass.

MARCHENA

Why do you wish to sail west?

COLUMBUS

To open a new route to Asia. At the

moment there are only two ways of

reaching it...

He leans forward, and points to the map spread out on the

desk.

COLUMBUS

By sea, sailing around the African

Continent -- the journey takes a

year...

His finger traces the journey, from west to east.

COLUMBUS

Or by land...

We are CLOSE now on the map, as we watch his finger

tracing a line between Europe and the Far East.

COLUMBUS (O.S.)

... But the Turks have closed this

route to all Christians. Trading

with the Orient has become arduous,

if not dangerous.

(he pauses)

There is a third way...

We notice that the outline of the European continent is

familiar. But we also notice that, in that great expanse

of ocean, the whole American continent is missing.

COLUMBUS

By sailing West across the Ocean

Sea.

CLOSE ON MARCHENA'S FACE, touched by the mystery.

MARCHENA

How can you be so certain? The

Ocean is said to be infinite.

COLUMBUS

Ignorance! I believe the Indies are

no more than 750 leagues west of the

Canary Islands.

MARCHENA

How can you be so certain?

COLUMBUS

The calculations of Toscanelli Marin

de Tyr, Esdras...

MARCHENA

(interrupting)

Esdras is a Jew.

COLUMBUS

So was Christ!

MARCHENA throws his quill in the air in frustration. He

glances at the hourglass:

MARCHENA

Two minutes... and already you're a

dead man. Don't let passion

overwhelm you, Colon.

COLUMBUS

(mockingly)

I'll try to remember that,

Marchena...

MARCHENA

Father Marchena!

COLUMBUS

(ignoring this)

Passion is something one cannot

control!

MARCHENA

(heatedly)

You get so carried away when you are

being contradicted!

COLUMBUS

I've been contradicted all my

life... Eternity!

MARCHENA

(amused)

Only God knows the meaning of such

words, my son.

EXT. COURTYARD - LA RABIDA - EVENING

DIEGO and FERNANDO wait in the courtyard. COLUMBUS

appears and lifts FERNANDO onto the mule. DIEGO turns to

go.

COLUMBUS

Diego.

COLUMBUS walks over to him, squats down so their eyes

meet. He looks at his SON for a moment.

COLUMBUS

Would you like to come and stay with

us?

Uncomfortable with the proposition, DIEGO cannot find an

answer.

COLUMBUS

I'll do whatever makes you happy.

DIEGO

I am happy, Father.

COLUMBUS reaches out -- and touches his shoulder.

He climbs up behind FERNANDO, who waves back to his

BROTHER as they ride off.

EXT. CADIZ - STREETS AND CATHEDRAL SQUARE - NIGHT

COLUMBUS leads the mule, carrying the sleeping FERNANDO,

through narrow streets. There's a clamorous noise in the

air. Suddenly a large group of YOUNG MEN, shouting with

excitement, run up the street and brush past them. Then

more people. FERNANDO sits up straight. The noise grows,

rowdy, rumbling, sharp with excitement and violence.

Huge CROWDS have thronged the massive old square outside

the cathedral. Holding the mule by its reins, COLUMBUS

tries to push his way through... Suddenly, as a gap opens

in the crowd, we see the cause of the excitement: in the

center of the square stand three pyres, already alit.

HOODED EXECUTIONERS are busy around the fires.

FERNANDO

Look, Father!

Before COLUMBUS can stop him, FERNANDO has slipped off the

mule and into the crowd.

COLUMBUS

Fernando!

But the BOY has been swallowed into the mass of people.

COLUMBUS tries to follow him. Flames leap into the night

sky with a terrible crackling, lighting up the square with

a lurid glow. Prayers are being chanted somewhere.

FERNANDO has elbowed his way to the front of the crowd.

A PRIEST brandishes a crucifix in front of the face of a

MAN bound to a post. The heretic wears the "sambenito", a

robe made of coarse fabric on which his sins have been

crudely illustrated -- we see cabalistic signs,

indicating that the man is Jewish.

THE MAN'S eyes are mad with fear. But he refuses to kiss

the crucifix, as a sign of his repentance.

FERNANDO is transfixed by the scene, but still doesn't

realize what is happening. He is too close to the

platform to see what is in the flames of the other pyres.

COLUMBUS

Fernando!

He motions to his son, takes the BOY'S hand, and drags him

away from the scene. But FERNANDO looks back. The

distance now allows him to see inside the flames.

A HALF-CHARRED FIGURE -- THE MAN'S face is distorted in a

silent scream... The neck snaps like burning wood, and the

head falls on one shoulder. Then the whole body collapses

into the fire.

INT. BEATRIX'S HOUSE - HALLWAY AND STABLE - NIGHT

COLUMBUS and FERNANDO lead the mule into the white-washed,

stone-floored hallway of the modest house. FERNANDO is

mute, shocked by what he just witnessed. COLUMBUS takes

the mule into its stall, and as he does so, his mother,

BEATRIX, appears from the kitchen to greet them. She is a

beautiful woman in her twenties, a calm, strong, domestic

personality. COLUMBUS tousles the BOY'S hair. FERNANDO

glances at his MOTHER but looks subdued and doesn't say

anything.

INT. BEATRIX'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

COLUMBUS joins BEATRIX in the kitchen, where a MAID is

cooking. He explains Fernando's subdued manner.

COLUMBUS

Executions. In the square.

BEATRIX nods. He goes to the stone butt and pours water

on his hands.

COLUMBUS

They've agreed to see me in a week.

BEATRIX puts the candle on the table. Her face lights up

with a smile. He walks to her, and kisses her.

COLUMBUS

I could be gone for years.

BEATRIX

I know.

COLUMBUS

I haven't given you much of a life.

BEATRIX

(amused)

Well... that's true. I have a child

by a man who won't marry me! Who's

always leaving...

COLUMBUS

Are we going to argue?

BEATRIX

I'd love to argue with you

sometimes. But you're never here!

They laugh and kiss.

COLUMBUS

Perhaps I was never meant to live

with a woman...

BEATRIX

(still kissing him)

I find that hard to believe.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BEATRIX'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

They are eating around the table, and FERNANDO is

unusually silent and thoughtful. COLUMBUS pours a little

wine into FERNANDO'S water, to distract him. FERNANDO

looks up at him, surprised. COLUMBUS smiles, then looks

over at BEATRIX.

COLUMBUS

Fernando, don't you think we are

lucky to live with such a beautiful

woman?

He winks at FERNANDO. BEATRIX smiles.

INT. BEATRIX'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

The room is dark. As COLUMBUS approached the bed with a

candle, it illuminates the naked body of BEATRIX. BEATRIX

looks up at him intently. A drop of wax falls on her

skin. She flinches, murmurs...

They make love.

EXT. SALAMANCA UNIVERSITY - DAY

A medieval "campus". Students-novices are playing

"pelote", with basket-gloves and a hard ball. They run

with their robes tucked around their waist, revealing

white legs. Others are studying, reading, hurrying to

their class.

We find COLUMBUS watching the game from the steps above

the court. Others are waiting with him. A MONK comes

from a door, and looks around the group.

MONK

(hesitant)

Christopher Columbus?

INT. AUDIENCE ROOM - UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA - DAY

An El Greco painting. A tableau of twenty MEN sitting on

dark, sculpted seats. Candles throw a gloomy light on

their faces. Some are Churchmen, others are dressed in

bourgeois outfits.

Only one of them is richly dressed in the grand Spanish

fashion -- he is SANCHEZ, Treasurer of the House of

Aragon. A MONK (Don AROJAZ) holds a stick with an ivory

claw at the top. Languidly, he scratches his back -- his

off-hand manner only makes him more impressive than his

peers.

AROJAZ

You say Asia can be found by sailing

west?

COLUMBUS

Yes, your Eminence. The voyage

should not take more than six or

seven weeks.

AROJAZ

Unfortunately, Don Colon, that is

precisely where our opinions

differ...

(pause)

Are you familiar with the work of

Aristotle? Erathostene? Ptolemeus?

COLUMBUS

I am, Your Eminence

AROJAZ

Then you cannot ignore that

according to their calculations, the

circumference of the Earth is

approximately...

(he leans forward)

22,000 leagues or more. Which makes

the ocean... uncrossable.

He leans back, satisfied, and pauses for effect.

AROJAZ

But you may have found new evidence

proving that these men of knowledge

are totally mistaken!

A ripple of mirthless laughter.

COLUMBUS

Your Excellencies are aware of the

statements of Marin de Tyr?

HERNANDO DE TALAVERA

We are.

COLUMBUS

Then you are also aware that his

theories contradict Ptolemeus... De

Tyr believes the Ocean to be only

750 leagues...

A murmur of protest spreads among the members of the

Commission. But Columbus is determined to press his

theories.

COLUMBUS

The Florentine Toscanelli and the

French Cardinal Pierre d'Ailly both

think that Marin de Tyr is accurate

in his calculations. And therefore,

that the ocean can be crossed.

Indignant and amused murmurs. DIEGO DE DEZA raises his

voice to quiet the assembly.

DIEGO DE DEZA

Gentlemen, let us suppose Marin de

Tyr is right...

(the laughter

subsides)

Are we here to examine this proposal

or not?

Silence.

DIEGO DE DEZA

(to Columbus)

In your opinion, how long would the

voyage be?

COLUMBUS

Seven weeks. Six, during the summer

months.

The murmur increases.

AROJAZ

Marin de Tyr is wrong -- and has

been corrected many times over the

centuries by the finest geographers.

Your voyage, Don Colon, would take a

year!

A MAN of simple bearing, that COLUMBUS identifies as

being a seaman, interrupts.

VICUNA

How would the crew survive without

being able to land for fresh water?

Water is undrinkable after six

weeks! You'd never be able to turn

back!

COLUMBUS

We wouldn't have to turn back! We

would find land at this point!

AROJAZ

Senor Colon, an experienced captain

such as yourself will understand our

concern with the crew. I am not

willing to have on my conscience the

loss of men who would have relied

upon our judgment.

COLUMBUS

Excellency, you are right.

Instantly, the protests stop.

COLUMBUS

I am a seaman, not a scholar... But

as a simple man craving for

knowledge, I have read all the work

of these renowned geographers and

discovered that none of them could

agree on the exact width of this

ocean...

He pauses, and starts walking in front of the experts, as

a lawyer before a grand jury.

COLUMBUS

Therefore, as a modest man, I

wonder: who is right?

The experts listen. CLOSE ON SANCHEZ'S FACE, impressed by

the boldness.

COLUMBUS

Who is right? This question remains

unanswered.

He walks and stops before TALAVERA, and catches the look

of SANCHEZ, sitting just behind him.

COLUMBUS

Your Eminence, there is only one way

to settle the matter. And that is

to make the journey.

(to the assembly,

with passion)

I am ready to risk my life to prove

it possible.

AROJAZ

Your life, and that of others!

COLUMBUS

If they agree to follow me, yes.

SANCHEZ (O.S.)

Suppose you cross this ocean.

Suppose you reach Asia. What would

Spain do there?

Conscious of a friendlier voice, COLUMBUS sees the

Treasurer SANCHEZ, an imposing man in his fifties.

COLUMBUS

Trade, Your Excellency. According

to Marco Polo, the Kingdom of China

is one of the richest of the world.

Even the meanest buildings are

roofed with gold.

AROJAZ

(interrupting)

Is that all that interests you?

Gold?

COLUMBUS

No. The Portuguese have already

discovered black-skinned people. I,

too, will find other populations --

and bring them to the word of God.

THE MONK smiles thinly.

AROJAZ

Christopher -- Christo Ferens -- the

Bearer of the Cross!

MONK

(ironic)

And Colon -- the one who populates!

Another small rill of laughter.

AROJAZ

If God intended our proximity to

Asia, do you believe he would have

waited for you to show it to the

world?

COLUMBUS

Did He not choose a carpenter's son

to reveal Himself to the world?

A hum of interest. CLOSE ON SANCHEZ -- watching COLUMBUS

intently, a hint of an admiring smile on his lips.

AROJAZ

So you consider yourself the chosen

one?

A pause.

AROJAZ

Don't you realize your words could

be considered heretical?

COLUMBUS

(calmly)

Blind faith is what I consider

heresy!

The murmur turns to an audible gasp. AROJAZ gets to his

feet and leans forward, threateningly, the flame of a

candle only inches from his face.

There is absolute silence. COLUMBUS meets the MONK'S gaze

unflinchingly.

COLUMBUS

(quietly)

Asia can be found to the west -- and

I will prove it.

AROJAZ

IF-GOD-WILLS-IT!

EXT. TERRACE - UNIVERSITY - DAY

The JURY is alone to deliberate. Food and wine has been

laid out on tables. In the distance, students' cries

carry over the conversation.

SANCHEZ approaches.

AROJAZ

The Treasurer of Spain honors us

with his presence.

SANCHEZ bows slightly.

SANCHEZ

The State has some reason to be

interested in this man's

proposition, Your Eminence...

AROJAZ

The Judgment is ours!

SANCHEZ

Naturally. But I would really

deplore the loss of such a potential

opportunity for Spain for a...

dispute over a point of geography.

SANCHEZ helps himself to some grapes, looks round at the

other members of the committee, who pretend not to be

listening.

AROJAZ

(interrupting)

He is a mercenary! Did he not

already try to convince the King of

Portugal of his absurd notions?

SANCHEZ

Indeed. The world is full of

mercenaries -- and states often make

use of them, when it benefits them.

(casually)

My only concern is the welfare and

prosperity of Spain.

AROJAZ understands the hint, and stops smiling.

AROJAZ

You would use your influence to

assist this... intriguer?

SANCHEZ reaches for a decanter of sherry.

SANCHEZ

You know, Your Eminence, the

fascinating thing about power, is

that what can be given so

effortlessly...

He offers the decanter to AROJAZ, who automatically lifts

his glass. But instead, SANCHEZ pulls back the decanter,

pours himself a drink, and replaces it on the table,

leaving AROJAZ staring at his own empty glass.

SANCHEZ

... can so easily be taken away.

And he drinks with a smile.

INT. LA RABIDA - MARCHENA'S STUDY - EVENING

MARCHENA reads aloud the Commission's letter.

MARCHENA

... and therefore nothing could

justify the participation of Your

Highnesses in the venture that

relies upon such feeble assumptions,

and which any man of knowledge

would take to be impractical... if

not impossible.

He shakes his head, puts the letter down. COLUMBUS looks

appalled; devastated.

COLUMBUS

They didn't listen. They didn't

want to listen!

He paces about the book-lined room.

MARCHENA

You mustn't give way to despair.

You must wait.

COLUMBUS

Wait! I've waited seven years

already! How much longer do you

want me to wait?

MARCHENA

If God intends you to go, then you

will go.

COLUMBUS

(angrily)

Damn God!

MARCHENA is shocked.

MARCHENA

Colon!

COLUMBUS

Damn all of you! You all set up

theories based on what? You never

leave the safety of your studies!

Go out! Find out what the world is

about and then tell me something I

can listen to!

He seizes a beautiful book from MARCHENA'S desk.

COLUMBUS

These don't mean anything! They're

full of assumptions! Out of the

heads of old men who've never been

past the end of their gardens!

He hurls the book across the room. MARCHENA is horrified.

MARCHENA

No...! My books...!

COLUMBUS seizes more books from the shelves, just sweeping

them to the floor.

COLUMBUS

All of them! Just lies!

MARCHENA

Colon! Don't!

MARCHENA tries to stop him. In his fury, COLUMBUS

accidentally knocks the poor old MAN to the ground. His

cries bring three MONKS rushing into the room.

As COLUMBUS continues to rage and scatter books

everywhere, they try to stop him, struggling with this

big, powerful man -- to almost comical effect. Finally, a

short, muscular MONK delivers a quick punch that sends

COLUMBUS crashing to the floor.

INT. CHAPEL OF LA RABIDA - EVENING

COLUMBUS lies face down on the stone floor. He is dressed

in a homespun robe. His arms are stretched out in

penance. FERNANDO and DIEGO look down at him.

FERNANDO

Father?

DIEGO

Sssshhhh...! One can't speak to a

man doing penance.

FERNANDO

What can you do?

DIEGO

Nothing. That's the point,

Fernando.

A pause -- and then FERNANDO lies face down on the floor

beside his FATHER, and stretches out his arms in the same

way. DIEGO is left looking on, unable to bring himself to

join them.

EXT. CLOISTER - LA RABIDA - DAY

Along the cloister, maps are drying, hanging like laundry

in the light breeze. COLUMBUS pins up a new addition.

Another MONK works nearby, in silence.

PINZON (O.S.)

Senor Colon?

COLUMBUS turns, to see a small, stocky MAN approaching: a

middle-class gentleman. He nods.

PINZON

Ah, thank God! I've been looking

all over Seville for you! Never

expected to find a sailor in a

monastery, eh?

He laughs. COLUMBUS smiles, but doesn't say anything.

PINZON is clearly a little surprised.

PINZON

Name's Pinzon, by the way. Martin

Alonzo Pinzon. I'm a ship owner

from Palos...

COLUMBUS glances around cautiously, and walks a little way

down the cloister, away from the other MONK, gesturing for

PINZON to follow him. PINZON is yet more surprised by

this strange behavior.

PINZON

(indicating the

monk)

Is he a spy?

COLUMBUS shakes his head. PINZON stares at him,

perplexed.

PINZON

What is it? Are you a Trappist?

COLUMBUS shakes his head again.

PINZON

Vow of silence...? Penance?

COLUMBUS nods vigorously.

PINZON

Jesus! Just my luck!

He takes off his hat, wiping his forehead with a silk

cloth.

PINZON

Listen. I'll do the talking for

both of us. You just nod. Agreed?

Just as I do with the wife.

COLUMBUS nods.

PINZON

I know that the Commission turned

you down, right? What do you

expect? You're a foreigner... But I

want to help you.

COLUMBUS gives him a glance like one throws a question in

the air.

PINZON

You wonder why I believe in you?

Hey, I am a seaman. And we don't

like to be told where to go, and

where not to go.

COLUMBUS looks at him, and bursts out laughing. The other

MONK looks round severely. COLUMBUS ducks behind a map,

PINZON following him. PINZON lowers his voice.

PINZON

I don't look like it, but I have

friends at the Court. The Treasurer

of Aragon, for example. He finances

me. His name's Santangel. Ever

heard of him?

COLUMBUS shakes his head, but looks increasingly

interested by what he's hearing.

PINZON

He can get you an audience with the

Queen! You know why...? She owes

him money. That's how it is. You

-- me -- the Queen -- the world and

his mistress -- agreed?

COLUMBUS nods.

PINZON

So. What do you say?

COLUMBUS looks around, catches the disapproving face of

the MONK, crosses himself, then speaks:

COLUMBUS

Where can I meet this man?

PINZON

(indicating with a

nod)

Immediately.

COLUMBUS turns and sees an elegant Lord in his fifties,

examining the maps.

EXT. STREETS OF GRANADA - DAY

A huge Islamic Crescent being pulled down from the minaret

of a mosque. SOLDIERS are holding back a crowd at the

foot of the tower. To the ecstatic cries of the crowd, a

Cross is hoisted up in its place... Astride horses,

COLUMBUS and the Treasurer SANTANGEL are watching the

scene.

They push through an extraordinary scene. The city of

Granada has just been reclaimed from the moors after

several years of siege. All around them, SPANISH SOLDIERS

are herding, bedraggled columns of the defeated MOORS,

bearing only a few possessions. Ragged, half-starved men,

women and children.

SANTANGEL

These people built Granada...

Centuries ago! It is a great

victory over the Moors, Don Colon --

and yet what a tragedy it is!

The THREE HORSEMEN pass a procession of grateful

PENITENTS, who are crawling on their knees, chanting

psalms and flagellating themselves. At the head of the

procession, HOODED PRIESTS carry a statue of the Virgin

Mary swathed in silk and lace.

The gates of the Alhambra Palace are in sight.

COLUMBUS

Is this a good time to meet her?

SANTANGEL

It couldn't be better. Victors

can't say no.

Bells are pealing triumphantly. The noise is tumultuous.

They ride towards the magnificent palace.

EXT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - GARDENS - DAY

Fabulous Moorish gardens: ponds filled with golden carp;

exotic bird cages hang from lemon trees... The distant

sounds of victory.

SANTANGEL and COLUMBUS walk through the gardens, escorted

by HALBERDIERS. SOLDIERS pass by, carrying coffers or

piles of documents.

As they approach the inner sanctum, however, there are

fewer people. They stop by the Lion's Fountain, where

several DIGNITARIES are waiting patiently for an audience.

SANCHEZ appears. They bow. SANTANGEL approaches to

murmur a compliment.

SANTANGEL

Your Excellency... truly grateful...

your help... as ever...

SANCHEZ protests softly, and looks over at COLUMBUS, a

half-smile forming on his lips. Then a DUENA appears, and

motions for COLUMBUS to follow.

INT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

An ornate Moorish door is pushed open by the DUENA'S hand.

We enter the Throne Room -- sculptured colonnades,

mosaics... At the far end, windows open onto a view of

Granada's rooftops.

Against this dazzling light, the delicate silhouette of

QUEEN ISABEL OF SPAIN. The light in her blonde hair

creates a halo around her head as she turns. COLUMBUS

falls to his knees.

ISABEL

Rise...! Come forward!

He approaches the window, stopping close to her. ISABEL

scrutinizes him quickly.

ISABEL

I should not even be listening to

you, since my council said no. But

Santangel tells me you are a man of

honor and sincerity... And Sanchez,

that you are not a fool.

COLUMBUS

(bold)

No more than the woman who said she

would take Granada from the Moors.

ISABEL smiles, enjoying the lack of obsequiousness.

ISABEL

The ocean is uncrossable?

COLUMBUS

What did they say about Granada

before today?

ISABEL

(a beat)

That she was impregnable.

ISABEL smiles again.

ISABEL

I cannot ignore the verdict of my

council.

COLUMBUS

Surely you can do anything you want.

A direct challenge. She doesn't know what to make of this

man.

ISABEL

How little you know.

This little hint of vulnerability subtly reverses their

positions for a moment. Now we sense COLUMBUS

scrutinizing her.

COLUMBUS

May I speak freely?

ISABEL

(with a smile)

You show no inclination to speak

otherwise!

COLUMBUS

I know what I see. I see someone

who doesn't accept the world as it

is. Who's not afraid. I see a

women who thinks... "What if?"...

ISABEL

(amused at his

familiarity)

A woman?

A slight pause.

COLUMBUS

Forgive me... but you're the only

Queen I know.

She bursts out laughing.

ISABEL

Then we are equal... since you are

the only sailor I know!

A beat.

ISABEL

How old are you, Senor Colon?

COLUMBUS

Thirty seven, Your Majesty... And

you?

Once again taken off guard, ISABEL flushes, and turns away

slightly to hide it.

ISABEL

Thirty eight...

A pause.

ISABEL

You will be informed of our

decision.

COLUMBUS bows and goes to leave. As the DUENA opens the

door for him, he turns back.

COLUMBUS

Actually, I thought you were younger

than me!

And he goes out, leaving her stunned.

EXT. SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - TREE-LINED ROAD - DAY

A chalk white road, lined with trees. Two liveried

SERVANTS are walking down the road, one carrying a large

silver tray, the other a smaller tray.

They are overtaken by an ADMINISTRATOR who hurries along

the road, with documents under his arm.

EXT. SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - STABLE BLOCK AND PADDOCK - DAY

The CLERK enters an imposing stable block.

In the paddock, SANCHEZ is training a magnificent young

horse, making it step sideways, bending it to his will.

The ADMINISTRATOR watches him, unable to interrupt.

Behind him the two SERVANTS can be seen bringing in the

silver trays, with covered dishes of food, a decanter of

wine. They begin to lay them out on a table.

EXT. SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - STABLE BLOCK AND PADDOCK - LATER

SANCHEZ pours himself some wine, tucks into his his food,

while the ADMINISTRATOR, clearly working himself up into a

frenzy, reads from a document.

ADMINISTRATOR

... and he demands... he DEMANDS to

be made a Knight, with the right to

bear the Golden Spurs! He will

receive the title of Don Cristobal

Colon -- which will be extended to

his descendants for ever more...

The ADMINISTRATOR looks up. He is reading the contract

that COLUMBUS has proposed. SANCHEZ, his mouth full,

gestures for him to continue.

SANCHEZ

Go on!

ADMINISTRATOR

He will be named Great Admiral of

the Ocean Sea. Viceroy of the West

Indies... Governor of all islands or

lands discovered or as will be

discovered with his help...

The ADMINISTRATOR looks up again.

ADMINISTRATOR

The highest titles of nobility, Your

Excellency! To an immigrant

sheltered by monks!

SANCHEZ gestures for the document. Wipes his mouth.

Continues reading, calmly:

SANCHEZ

Furthermore he will receive one

eight of all wealth or monies,

precious gems, pearls, metals,

spices and other lucrative sources

conquered within the boundaries of

his admiralty...

He smiles, hands the document back.

SANCHEZ

It's very underdone.

ADMINISTRATOR

(exploding)

Underdone! It's monstrous,

Excellency!

SANCHEZ

No, the pheasant. It's almost raw.

And he carries on eating.

SANCHEZ

You worry too much, Carvajal... The

man will have to lower his demands.

Believe me, he WILL!

INT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - A RECEPTION ROOM - DAY

Close up on COLUMBUS.

COLUMBUS

I WON'T!

A WOMAN'S HAND quietly, carefully opens a cover of a spy

hole in the wall. Two beautiful eyes peer through a

grille, into the next room.

What they see:

SANCHEZ and COLUMBUS together. COLUMBUS is visibly upset.

SANCHEZ

(calmly)

We have considered your -- demands

very carefully, Senor Colon... Your

expectations are... excessive, in

every way.

COLUMBUS tightens his fists, tries to remain calm.

COLUMBUS

If I am right, my requests are fair!

SANCHEZ holds up a document.

SANCHEZ

We have prepared our own contract...

He offers the document to COLUMBUS, who takes it, scans it

quickly, shakes his head.

COLUMBUS

No...

SANCHEZ

No?

COLUMBUS

NO...! I have waited too long,

fought too hard. Now you expect me

to take all the risks while you take

the profit! No... I will not be

your servant!

The eyes behind the screen -- the mouth, forming a little

smile.

SANCHEZ

I remind you, Senor Colon, that you

are in no position to bargain with

me.

COLUMBUS

I'm not bargaining!

SANCHEZ

(steely)

Then you are too ambitious.

COLUMBUS leans over the table, faces him.

COLUMBUS

And were you never ambitious,

Excellency? Or is ambition only a

virtue among the nobles, a fault for

the rest of us?

SANCHEZ

(abrupt)

If you won't accept our proposal,

we'll simply find someone who will.

COLUMBUS smiles.

COLUMBUS

If you can do that, Excellency --

I'll become a monk!

He turns, strides towards the door. We hear a WOMAN'S

muffled laughter.

As COLUMBUS goes out, ISABEL appears through a secret

door. SANCHEZ bows.

ISABEL goes over to the window and looks out.

ISABEL

You were right, Don Sanchez... His

demands could never be granted.

SANCHEZ

Never, Your Majesty. Although...

She turns, questioningly, towards him.

SANCHEZ

... Although one may always

renegotiate a contract. Especially

signed by Royal Hands.

EXT. ALHAMBRA PALACE GARDENS - POV - DAY

SANCHEZ joins ISABEL at the window. They see COLUMBUS

striding out and away.

INT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - A RECEPTION ROOM - DAY

BACK TO SANCHEZ

SANCHEZ

(quietly)

... Into a monk...

ISABEL

(with a smile)

Yes. It would be a pity, wouldn't

it?

(turning to Sanchez)

Call him back!

EXT. STREET - EVENING

Teeming life. COLUMBUS pushing his way through crowds.

He is expressionless and distracted.

He looks around him, stops walking. And then,

unexpectedly, shouts.

COLUMBUS

YEEEEEEES!

All heads turn as if he were totally insane. He walks on

as if nothing happened.

INT. BEATRIX'S HOUSE - NIGHT

COLUMBUS is sitting at the kitchen table, by himself, with

a glass of wine. There is a movement behind him. BEATRIX

is standing at the foot of the stairs, in a night-shirt.

COLUMBUS turns and looks at her, almost sad.

COLUMBUS

She said yes.

BEATRIX

(moved)

Thank God...

She smiles. But he seems to be unable to share her

happiness.

COLUMBUS

If I ever come back, I swear I

will...

She crosses to him quickly, placing her hand gently on his

mouth.

BEATRIX

(softly)

I'm not asking you to swear to

anything.

COLUMBUS

I don't want you to wait for me.

BEATRIX

(smiling)

That's something you can't decide.

COLUMBUS kisses her.

INT. CORRIDOR - BEATRIX'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Strange, unearthly music... A flickering light in a dark

tunnel. FERNANDO, holding a candle in front of him, walks

slowly down the dark corridor.

Quietly opening a door, he walks into COLUMBUS' study.

INT. COLUMBUS' STUDY - NIGHT

CLOSE ON: A huge illustrated map of western Europe and

Asia. FERNANDO'S candle moves slowly across the Atlantic

Ocean, to the edge of the map. There, the illustrator's

imagination has created monsters: terrifying demons;

creatures half-human, half-animal.

Sitting at his desk, COLUMBUS is looking at the map.

FERNANDO (O.S.)

You can't go there!

Turning, COLUMBUS finds his son beside him.

COLUMBUS

Why not?

FERNANDO points at the monsters. He pulls the boy to him.

COLUMBUS

There aren't any monsters, Fernando.

The only monsters are in here...

(he taps his own

forehead)

Watch!

He takes a pen, and draws a smile on one of the terrible

monsters, transforming it at once. FERNANDO laughs

immediately.

FERNANDO

I want to go with you!

COLUMBUS

There'll be a time.

FERNANDO

You promise?

(Columbus nods his

head)

Do you swear on St. Christopher...?

FERNANDO pulls the chain with the St. Christopher medal

from under COLUMBUS' shirt.

FERNANDO

Do you swear on all the Holy Saints

in heaven?

COLUMBUS

(laughing)

Yes... Yes, I do... On all of them!

And he hugs his SON tightly.

EXT. HILLSIDE AND GATE - PRE-DAWN

A luminous procession passes through a Moorish stone gate,

down to the harbor. We see the faces of the SAILORS and

their FAMILIES -- COLUMBUS, PINZON AMONGST THEM -- We

sense the fervor and apprehension of the departure. The

procession is lead by MARCHENA and four young NOVICES

carrying the Madonna. All hold long, burning tapers,

saying the rosary. A SAILOR pushes through the crowd, and

kisses the Madonna's feet.

EXT. PALOS HARBOR - DAWN

Hundreds of candles flicker in the pre-dawn light, held by

the FAMILIES and FRIENDS of the SAILORS.

The SANTA MARIA the PINTA and the NINA nestle against the

quayside. Dwarfed by the hulls, a flotilla of smaller

fishing craft, returning from night fishing, accidentally

witness this event.

EXT. MAKESHIFT CONFESSIONAL - DOCKSIDE - DAWN

MARCHENA sits on a barrel and crosses himself. Behind a

curtain sits COLUMBUS.

MARCHENA

In Nomine Patris et Filius, et

Spiritus Sancti.

COLUMBUS

Forgive me, Father. For I have

sinned.

MARCHENA recognizes COLUMBUS' voice.

MARCHENA

I am listening, my son.

COLUMBUS

Father, I have betrayed my family.

I betrayed my men. And I betrayed

you.

MARCHENA

What are you saying?

COLUMBUS

I lied. The journey will be longer

than I said.

MARCHENA

How long?

COLUMBUS

I am not sure... It could be twice

the distance.

A pause.

MARCHENA

May God forgive you...! You must

tell them! You must tell your men!

COLUMBUS

If I tell them, they won't follow

me. You know that I am right,

Father. You trust me...

MARCHENA

My son, my son...

(he shakes his head)

Your certitudes are sometimes

frightening...

(pause)

Christopher, you must speak to them.

And if you don't I will.

COLUMBUS

You are bound by an oath, Father.

A long silence.

MARCHENA

I believed in you...

COLUMBUS

Give me absolution.

No response.

COLUMBUS

Give me absolution, Father!

Devastated, MARCHENA reluctantly makes the sign of the

cross.

EXT. HARBOR AND SHIPS - PALOS - DAWN

COLUMBUS walks over to where BEATRIX and FERNANDO are

waiting. He kisses and hugs FERNANDO.

MARCHENA (O.S.)

Ispo Te Absoluto. May God forgive

you and have mercy on your soul,

Christopher Columbus. Go in peace.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HARBOR AND SHIPS - DAWN - LATER

The CROWDED QUAYSIDE. COLUMBUS stands in front of

FERNANDO.

COLUMBUS

Be good to your mother, Fernando.

Do you promise?

FERNANDO nods, tears in his eyes. Then COLUMBUS embraces

BEATRIX tightly. She whispers into his ear.

BEATRIX

Speak to Diego.

But COLUMBUS and DIEGO are unable to find words, and

instead they clumsily hug. Someone taps COLUMBUS'

shoulder. He turns around to see SANTANGEL. Wordlessly,

they hug.

CUT TO:

Activity on the ships, orders are being shouted, ropes

fore and aft are cast off, splashing into the water... Now

the SHIPS are slowly moving parallel to the quayside. The

CROWD starts walking abreast to the VESSELS. WOMEN

holding up babies, blowing kisses, old PARENTS crying...

BEATRIX, HER SONS, AND SANTANGEL are among them.

COLUMBUS suddenly unties the chain around his neck, and

throws it at DIEGO.

COLUMBUS

Diego! Here!

DIEGO catches it. Opening his hand he looks at the

medallion. Then looks up at his FATHER, elated.

THE SANTA MARIA is now two meters from the QUAY.

SANTANGEL is now opposite COLUMBUS.

SANTANGEL

(casually)

Take care of my investment, wherever

you're going!

COLUMBUS

(ambiguous)

I have to tell you Santangel. I

don't know where on earth I am

going!

They both laugh.

A FISHERMAN, standing in his shrimp-boat lets his hand

slide gently along the gigantic hull. He stares up at the

SAILORS leaning on the rail.

SAILOR

Vaya con Dios! (Go with God!)

They wave back.

CUT TO:

MARCHENA walking towards the Moorish gate. He finally

turns, sad and distraught. He sees:

CUT TO:

EXT. SHIPS AT SEA - WHALES - DAY

THREE SHIPS ON A BOUNDLESS OCEAN.

The sea resembling a DORMANT MONSTER, holding its breath.

A living being, all powerful, capable of unpredictable

metamorphosis. Music reflects the loneliness, the anxiety

of the crew, the fear of the unknown...

ENORMOUS WHALES moving slowly alongside, surging

majestically through the waves. Sinking back,

disappearing, their cries taking precedent over the music.

EXT. DECK - DAY

A SHIP'S BOY is throwing buckets of water on the deck.

A SAILOR is busy clearing the ropes around the mast.

A COOK is blowing life into a brazier, in preparation of

the evening meal.

TEN MEN heaving on a heavy rope, raising the top sail,

punctuating their efforts with a sailor's chant.

EXT. SANTA MARIA - NIGHT

The crystalline north star -- as if seen through an

instrument.

COLUMBUS' silhouette, by an oil lamp, standing at the

prow. Holding a quadrant he is aiming at the stars.

SOME SAILORS are watching with curiosity. One of them is

ALONSO, a rough, stocky Basque.

Near COLUMBUS, on a tressel, various books and charts. He

makes an entry in the log. Then goes back to his

quadrant. He senses MENDEZ standing next to him.

COLUMBUS

(softly)

Due west, Captain Mendez. And may

God be with us...

MENDEZ

God be with us admiral.

MENDEZ doesn't move, continuing to observe COLUMBUS.

COLUMBUS

What is it Mendez? Speak!

MENDEZ is hesitant. He nervously clears his throat.

MENDEZ

Well... It's the men, Sir. They

wonder how you k