The New Voyage

This is a script I wrote a few years ago. It’s a loose remake of the 1961 movie starring Walter Pigeon and Barbara Eden with a few modern twist. Here’s the synopsis…

Unless it can be stopped within 72 hours, a massive underwater volcano will destroy humanity. The Seaview, the world’s most advanced submarine, is sent to investigate.  Near the volcano, they find a Mayan Pyramid on the bottom of the ocean with an inscription on how to quiet the raging inferno. Do they take the advice of a thousand year old profit or wait for the U.N. and the world’s scientist to come up with a better solution?  Time is running out and a decision has to be made now or the world will come to an end!

I’ve updated the submarine Seaview with some new “eye candy” gadgets such as “Slipstream Propulsion,” the underwater equivalent of “Warp Drive.” There’s also a new version of the Flying Sub, which gets into a dogfight with a couple of American fighter jets.

There’s excitement, drama and of course, romance in this modern version of a movie classic.

Check out this cool “Voyage” website!!!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea – Act 1

to read the pdf version with the proper script formatting

I hope you enjoy this first Act! Keep watching for more!

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Fade In:

SUPERIMPOSE: CIRCA 300 A.D.

INT. PRIMITIVE GRASS HUT – NIGHT

A single shaft of moonlight exposes a man sleeping on the ground in an otherwise dark room. Huge leaves make his bed. Stone tablets with inscriptions are stacked neatly nearby.

A closer look of the man reveals a brow of sweat with several drops already collecting in a pool on one of the leaves of his bed. His face contorts, he thrashes about.

The man’s dream is filled with quick images of violent explosions, massive flaming boulders raining down on his village, spreading across the sea causing it to boil.

He awakes and bolts upright. He wipes his brow and gazes at his hand. The moisture in his palm glistens off the moonlight. He grabs one of the tablets and dashes outside.

EXT. CAMPFIRE OUTSIDE THE GRASS HUT – DAWN

The sound of the waves can be heard through the crackling of the fire. The man sits on the ground in front of it, dipping a rag into a clay pot of water.

He wipes the edges a stone tablet propped on his lap. Beside him, three bowls of colorful liquid sit next to a feather, its tip coated with one of the colors.

He gently blows across the wet inscriptions then repositions it for a better gaze in the sunlight now peering over his shoulder.

Behind him a young boy emerges from the grass hut and walks toward him. The man sits the tablet down, reaches out and pulls the boy in for a hug and kiss on the forehead.

An ascending view reveals the campfire to be in a village. The village on top of a densely forested mountain. The mountain next to an oceanic coastline.

Credits roll as our birds eye view travels along the coastline then out into open sea. Ocean waves fills the view eventually morphing into an entirely new scenery.

EXT. ANTARCTICA – DAY

SUPERIMPOSE: ANTARCTICA – DECEMBER 21, 2012

Ice mountains litter the snowy landscape. The setting sun silhouettes against a cloudy blue sky. The calm sea in the foreground begins to bubble.

The glass nose of the submarine Seaview burst through the bubbles reaching skyward. It’s slender hull almost vertical to the horizon.

The sub slows its climb until becoming momentarily motionless. The nose falls, the stern bobs into view. A slender glistening hull now floats on the surface.

INT. SEAVIEW – CONTROL ROOM

The close view of a video monitor with a well groomed anchorman making his delivery.

Anchorman

Tonight’s top story comes from the bottom of the world. The USS Seaview, a remarkable new submarine has just set an unbelievable underwater speed record during its trial run. Utilizing ‘Slipstream Propulsion’, a carefully guarded secret developed by scientist and former navy admiral Hiram Nelson, the Seaview made the journey from its port in San Francisco to the coast of Antarctica in less than five days. During the next two weeks the unique glass nosed sub will be testing several new deep water systems in the South Pacific to determine if Congress will give the green light to a lucrative naval contract with the Nelson Institute for Marine Research, the Admiral’s privately owned company. Opponents claim unmanned subs could do the same job at a fraction of the cost and have dubbed the project “Nelson’s Folly.” In an exclusive interview last month Nelson defended the hundred billion dollar submarine…

The anchorman freezes. The words PAUSE superimpose across his face.

Gathered around a bank of overhead video monitors is the sub’s control room crew. Among them is 57 year old Admiral Hirriman (Harry) Nelson. Medium height, and a fit man for his age.

Standing beside Nelson is the Captain of the Seaview, 39 year old Lee Crane, tall and handsome, with curly jet black hair. The duo turns to address the crew.

Nelson

Ladies and gentleman, modesty simply won’t allow me to watch any further. So instead, I’ll congratulate you again on a job well done. We’ve made history.

The crew claps with pats on the back and handshaking.

Nelson

Now it’s on to our next task. A game of hide and seek with the Pacific forces.

Nelson pauses a moment and gazes at his audience. His voice has the distinct tone of bravado.

Nelson

And from what I’ve seen of this crew’s performance, I’m confident that by the time those Navy boys find this sub, we’ll be back in San Francisco drinking Tennessee whiskey.

The sailors begin to clap and cheer.

Nelson

Stations if you please.

The crew take their post. Nelson gestures to Crane.

Nelson

Captain.

Crane turns to Robert “Chip” Morton, the 34 year old Executive Officer.

Crane

Mr. Morton, prepare to dive.

The three men take their seats, bar stool like chairs with consoles at their side. Arranged in a semi-circle in the middle of the control room, Crane occupies the center seat.

Crane

Make depth one hundred feet.

Morton presses buttons on his console.

Morton

Depth, one hundred feet, aye.

The klaxon sounds. His voice reverberates throughout the sub.

Morton

Diving stations. Diving stations. All hands prepare to dive.

On every deck, the crew methodically scrambles to get to their stations. Morton watches his console. One by one several red lights turn green.

Morton

All green, Captain.

Crane

Take us down Chip. Helm, all ahead two thirds. Prop speed.

The helm is occupied by 26 year old Donna Richter, a blond haired, blue eyed beauty with a soft German accent.

Richter

Aye sir. Props ahead two thirds.

The sea begins churning against the two huge glass windows at the forward end of the control room. The sky slowly vanishes behind curtain of bubbles.

Crane

Navigator, come to course three five four degrees.

The Seaview’s Hawaiian born navigator, 26 year old David Keno, responds.

Keno

Aye sir. Three five four degrees.

Crane

Execute.

EXT. OCEAN – DAY

The Seaview slowly descends beneath the icy water and makes a graceful banking turn. Nestled below the windows in the nose of the sub, a bright searchlight flickers to life.

INT. SEAVIEW – CONTROL ROOM

Seen through the glass nose, the churning bubbles have been replaced with clear sea.

Morton

Depth, one hundred feet, Captain.

Crane

Very well, Mr. Morton. Zero angle on the planes.

Morton

Aye, sir.

Crane turns to Nelson.

Crane

On course, Admiral.

Nelson pushes himself up from his chair.

Nelson

You should get some rest. The Seaview will need its Captain alert and ready when the simulations begin.

Crane

I will, sir. Just have a couple of things to take care of first.

Nelson

Fine. I’ll be in my quarters.

Nelson disappears up a spiral staircase near the sub’s nose. Crane follows but stops at one of the huge glass panes. He gazes at the panoramic view. Morton joins him.

Morton

Beautiful, isn’t it, sir?

Crane

That it is Mister Morton. But it’s all going to change in about twelve hours.

Crane looks at his XO and grins.

Crane

That’s when the ‘fun’ begins.

The Captain pats Morton on the shoulder.

Crane

Goodnight, Chip.

Morton

Goodnight, sir.

Crane too disappears up the spiral staircase. Morton returns his deadpan gaze through the windows.

INT. SEAVIEW – NELSON’S QUARTERS

Nelson rummages through a desktop littered with paperwork. He uncovers a picture of a lovely lady. He picks it up and gently sits it on an uncluttered corner of the desk.

He looks fondly at the picture then moves some paperwork aside uncovering several of the desk’s many buttons. He presses one.

A pleasant bell sounds. Nelson clears his throat, loosens his tie and leans back in his chair.

Nelson

Continuation of personal log. We’ve reached Antarctica and surfaced just off the Getz Ice Shelf. I can’t describe how proud I am of the Seaview and its crew. The Slipstream has performed superbly, and I’m anxious to see if the other systems fair as well.

Nelson leans forward and unties his shoe.

Nelson

Now it’s on the part I’m really not looking forward to. War games. ‘Battle simulations’ as the brass likes to refer to them now. And the Seaview is the bait. All we have to do is evade the entire Pacific Fleet for seventy two hours.

His shoe hits the floor.

Nelson

Actually, sounds pretty easy knowing what this sub is capable of.

The Admiral’s other shoe drops to the floor. He leans back in his chair, props his stocking feet on his cluttered desk and continues narrating

Nelson

And finally the last leg of the trials. What I am really looking forward to, ten days of ocean bottom exploration of the Pacific…

INT. SEAVIEW – SICK BAY

Crane enters. He stands by the door and gazes at MICHAEL a nurse, buzzing between several diagnostic beds. He’s treating holographic patients who appear severely injured.

Through a glass door, the sub’s doctor, 30 year old ELIZABETH Hiller, has her attention focused on her computer monitor.

Crane watches Michael for a moment then steps into Hiller’s office.

Crane

Expecting trouble Doctor?

Hiller looks up.

Hiller

I wanted be prepared in case we have ‘simulated injuries’ during our little bout with the Navy. Who knows, we might get bonus points.

Crane

That’s quite possible.

The Doctor presses a button on her desk. The clear glass door to her office darkens. She stands and slowly strolls over to Crane. Her voice has become ‘playful.’

Hiller

Now Captain, you wouldn’t be giving away any secrets about the simulation would you?

Crane returns the playful tone.

Crane

Only if I’m tortured.

Hiller

Just what kind of torture are we talking about?

Crane smiles.

Crane

I don’t know. But I’m sure you could come up with something original.

Hiller moves closer as if she’s about to kiss the Captain.

Hiller

Say something really slow, maybe start with…

Hiller abruptly stops her advance when a red light embedded in Crane’s left shirt collar begins flashing.

A second later, Morton’s processed voice is clearly heard from a speaker embedded in the Captain’s right collar.

Morton

Captain Crane, this is Morton.

Hiller turns away and grimaces. Crane ducts his head toward his right side.

Crane

Tracker on.

The flashing collar light turns from red to green.

Crane

Yes, Mr. Morton.

Morton

Sir, I hate to disturb you but, something has come up that you should know about right now. Could you report back to the control room, sir?

Crane glances at the Doctor, who is starring at the wall with a frustrated look on her face.

Crane

Sure Chip, I’ll be right there.

Morton

Thank you, sir. Morton out.

Crane

Tracker off.

Hiller glares at Crane and steps toward him.

Crane

I need to go…

Hiller

You NEED to get your rest. Let your XO handle whatever is going on for a change.

Crane

This sounds important. I’ll talk to you later.

Crane leans in and kisses Hiller on the cheek, then heads for the exit. Hiller follows.

Hiller

Lee, don’t kill yourself just to impress the Admiral…

Crane abruptly stops and locks his eyes with hers.

Crane

Impress the Admiral? I’m just doing the best I can, Lizzie. Given these…circumstances.

Hiller

Circumstances?

Crane

Of having a C.O. aboard my boat. In the Navy I joined, the Captain of a submarine was the master and commander of his vessel.

Hiller

You’re forgetting these are the trial runs of a submarine HE designed. The Admiral is expected to be here.

Crane

I know, but if he intends to be anything more than a VIP passenger once this sub’s on mission status, I WON’T be her captain.

The Doctor raises an eyebrow.

Hiller

I think your crazy. It’s a great job, great pay and great benefits.

Crane

And a boss that has the annoying habit of peeking over my shoulder and questioning me in front of the crew.

Crane steps up to the door and looks off.

Crane

It’s frustrating. If he’s going to countermand half of my orders then why does he need me?

Hiller

The other half?

The Captain returns his gaze to the Doctor and grins.

Crane

It’s like I’ve always said, Admirals just don’t belong on submarines.

Hiller

This one thinks he does.

INT. SEAVIEW – CONTROL ROOM

A pair of legs belonging to 32 year old Lt. Kevin Kowalski, crawl from under a console. With tools still in hand he pulls himself up to face Morton.

Morton

Give me some good news Kowalski.

Kowalski

It’s definitely not the hardware at this console, sir. If you consider that good news.

Morton

Actually, no, but it did give us a place to start.

A door at the rear of the Control Room slides open. Crane steps out. He joins Morton and Kowalski.

Morton

Captain, for no apparent reason two of our fuel cells fried taking our primary, long range scanners off line.

Morton turns his attention to Kowalski.

Morton

Let’s see that playback again.

Kowalski presses buttons. Multiple overhead video monitors begin displaying technical data and images.

Kowalski

There it is, sir. For one point two seconds electro magnetic readings go off the scale. Then the fuel cells blew and the scanners went dead.

Kowalski presses more buttons and the images freeze. Crane steps in and scrutinizes the data.

Morton

I’ve got a repair crew replacing the damaged fuel cells right now.

Morton turns to Kowalski.

Morton

Once power is restored, how long does the startup sequence take?

Kowalski

It shut down abruptly so we’ll have to reload the software… About an hour, sir.

Crane steps back and rubs his slightly bloodshot eyes.

Crane

Well, I don’t think we need to stop. Since we’re in clear water on a charted course we can do without the long range scanners for a while.

He looks at Morton.

Crane

Continue at present speed and find out what caused those fuel cells to ‘fry.’

Morton

Aye, sir.

Crane

And Chip, this time, try to give me at least six hours if you can.

Morton

I’ll do my best, sir.

Crane disappears through the exit.

INT. SEAVIEW – NELSON’S QUARTERS

The exhaled smoke from a cigar billows past an ashtray filled to the brim. The fiery end of the cigar plunges into the ashes and with a last puff of smoke, is extinguished.

Fingers grasp a glass filled with ice. It CLINKS as it hits the untidy desk. A golden brown liquid is poured in.

Nelson takes a hefty drink. He sits it down in front of the lady’s picture and gazes at her smile.

Nelson

I wish you could have been with me. The ice shelf was breathtaking.

Nelson guzzles down the last of his drink. He stands and stretches. Then moves over to his bunk and pulls back the covers. He begins to undress.

INT. SEAVIEW – CRANE’S QUARTERS

Crane sits on the edge of his bunk, his head bowed and eyes closed.

Adorning his cabin are several artifacts, ranging from stone tablets to spear points.

He motions the sign of the cross, tucks himself into bed and turns out the light.

INT. SEAVIEW – CONTROL ROOM

Kowalski leans back in his chair reading a paperback novel. A light accompanied by a chime flashes on his console. Sitting his book down, he begins studying the monitor.

A pleasant voice narrates as the Monitor reads: STARTUP COMPLETE. QUANTUM SONAR PINGING. RESTARTING LONG RANGE SCANNERS.

Kowalski

Alright. It’s about time.

Kowalski leans in, presses buttons then drums his fingers on the console.

A moment later, the monitors come to life displaying a map of the pacific ocean. Colored outlines depict north, central and south America. Kowalski smiles.

Kowalski

Goody. We’re back on the air.

Kowalski’s smile fades and his eyes widen as he glares at the monitor.

A flashing light at the bottom of the map denotes the Seaview’s position and heading. In the sub’s path, stretching the width of the map, is a u-shaped red arc.

Kowalski presses several more buttons. The map redraws and zooms in. The red arc spreads like a wave on a pond.

The Lieutenant swings his chair toward Richter.

Kowalski

Helm, are you picking up anything dead ahead.

Richter

No sir.

Kowalski

You will. Scanners are back on line. Increase your range to maximum.

Kowalski jumps up, trots to the command chair and presses a button. The klaxon sounds. His voice reverberates through the ship.

Kowalski

General quarters, general quarters. Captain Crane, Mister Morton, to the control room please.

Richter

Shock wave ahead, closing fast! Range, sixteen hundred nautical. Speed, seven eight six MPH. Magnitude…off the scale, sir.

Kowalski

Hard to port. Heading two seven zero degrees. Props, all ahead full. Execute.

Richter repeats Kowalski’s commands while quickly pressing buttons. The Control Room crew hangs on as the Seaview banks into it’s turn.

INT. SEAVIEW – CRANE’S QUARTERS

Crane, his shirt half on, holds on to the edge of his bunk until the sub levels. He trots to his desk and presses a button.

Crane

Crane here. What’s going on?

Kowalski

(through speakers)

Captain, there’s a massive shock wave flanking us, sir.

Crane

I’m on my way. Standby to engage the Slipstream.

Kowalski

Aye, sir.

INT. SEAVIEW – CONTROL ROOM

Kowalski is back at his console pushing buttons. Morton stands behind him studying data on the overhead monitors. Crane enters tucking in his shirt.

Crane

Report.

Morton

A super massive earthquake southwest of Central America created a super massive tsunami. We’ve changed course and are traveling laterally to the leading edge of the shock wave. But even at full prop speed the wave will overtake us in about two minutes.

Crane studies the monitors a moment, then takes the command chair. Pressing a button on his console his voice reverberates through the ship.

Crane

All hands prepare for Slipstream velocity…

Morton moves to Crane’s side. They exchange gazes. Crane turns off the intercom. Nelson steps in and joins them.

Morton

Sir, even at Slipstream we can’t out run this wave. It will hit us long before we reach New Zealand with nowhere to hide in between.

Crane

At least it will buy us some time to look at other options Chip. We can’t just wait here and let it hit us.

Kowalski

One minute thirty seconds to impact.

Nelson

You’re both right gentlemen. We can’t sit here and we can’t out run it either.

Nelson directs his attention to Richter.

Nelson

Helm come about. Steer our bow into the wave.

Wrinkling his brow Crane stiffens and gawks at Nelson.

Crane

Admiral, what if…

Nelson

Captain, we’ve got to punch through it. It’s the only way.

Crane

Sir, we’re still close to Antarctica. We could get washed against the ice shelf with a force even this sub couldn’t withstand.

Nelson

Which is exactly what will happen if we try to outrun it.

Kowalski

Sixty seconds.

Crane ponders for just a moment.

Crane

Helm, carry out the Admiral’s orders. Come about and engage the Slipstream sequence. Stand by for maximum velocity on my mark.

Richter

Aye, sir. Turning to starboard.

EXT. OCEAN

The Seaview slowly turns its glass nose toward what appears to be a disturbance in the water some distance away.

INT. SEAVIEW – CONTROL ROOM

With total concentration on her console Richter presses several buttons.

Richter

Activating Slipstream sequence.

EXT. OCEAN

The Seaview’s props come to a halt and disappear into the hull. Two large panels retract, each revealing what looks like the nozzle of a jet engine. The ends glow blue.

A faint burnt orange glow encapsulates the sub. As it brightens the sea is pushed away from the hull. A thin force field now separates the Seaview from the ocean.

INT. SEAVIEW – CONTROL ROOM

A light flashes on Richter’s console. She looks at Crane.

Richter

Slipstream engaged. Plasma-Jets are hot, Captain.

Crane

Time Mr. Kowalski?

Kowalski

Twelve seconds, sir.

Crane presses a button on the arm of his chair. His voice reverberates throughout the ship.

Crane

All hands, brace for impact. Mr. Kowalski, countdown from five. Helm ten degrees up plane and get ready to press that button.

Richter positions her finger.

Richter

Aye, sir.

Kowalski

Five, four…

EXT. OCEAN

The Seaview’s bow tilts upward as the huge wave closes in. Mud and debris collected from the sea floor churn at it’s edge like a giant sideways tornado.

INT. SEAVIEW – CONTROL ROOM

Kowalski is focused his console. Everyone else stares through the glass nose at the maelstrom of churning water racing toward them.

Kowalski

…three, two, one.

Crane

Engage Slipstream.

Kowalski

…contact!

****!!! Don’t miss the next exciting Act !!!****