THE LAST STATION
Written by
Michael Hoffman
Based on the novel by
Jan Parini
All happy families are the same. Each unhappy family is
unhappy in its own way.
Leo Tolstoy- Anna Karenina
1 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE. DAY. 1
High angle of the steam train travelling through a wide
river valley. The stack belching smoke against the Russian
sky.
2 INT. SECOND CLASS CARRIAGE. COUNTRY SIDE. DAY. 2
Leo Tolstoy (80), sits writing on his lapboard. He is quite
simply the greatest living writer in the world. His
devotion to pacifism, his rejection of the trappings of
Orthodoxy in favor of a simple Christian lifestyle convince
many to regard him as a living saint. With him are his much
younger wife, the COUNTESS SOFYA, favorite daughter SASHA,
and his personal physician DUSHAN MAKOVITSKY. Sasha and
Dushan write in their diaries. Sofya looks from one to the
next a little impatient. The train begins to slow.
SOFYA
Why are we slowing down?
No one responds. Slower. Slower.
SOFYA
We're stopping. Why are we
stopping?
SASHA
I don't know, mother. No idea.
Tolstoy look up from his work, asks a passing conductor.
SOFYA
Excuse me, why has the train
stopped?
CONDUCTOR
It's the crowd, ma'm, the people.
They're blocking the track.
In the distance we can here voices.
VOICES (O.S.)
Long live Tolstoy! Long live the
old warrior!
SOFYA
But if they block the track, the
train can't go...YOU HAVE TO MAKE
THEM MOVE.
2.
The conductor shrugs, walks away. She goes to the window to
investigate. A crowd of a hundred peasants, students
surround the engine, block the track. They carry a huge
cloth banner honoring Tolstoy. We can hear voices chanting
"Tolstoy. Tolstoy. Tolstoy", voices crying "You are the
truth." "You are the hope of the Russian people."
SOFYA
Oh, they won't move. We are
gonna die here. Leo, Leo, go and
say something to them. It's the
only way we are gonna get out of
here.
The chanting grows in intensity. Tolstoy gets to his feet,
walks to the window, shows himself to the crowd. A great
shout goes up. Tolstoy lifts his hand for silence.
Gradually, it comes.
TOLSTOY
I have seen your banner. And Iīve
heard what you say. You think Iīm
the hope of Russia, do you? Well,
thatīs not true. You are the hope
of Russia. The hope of all the
world. You say, you want a new
way to live? Well, you are not
gonna find it making a fuss over
me. So, I suggest that you get on
with your work and let a poor old
men get on with his.
The cries begin. "Clear the tracks. Let them pass. Let them
go." Tolstoy closes the door and waves to the crowd as the
train pulls away.
3 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE. DAY. 3
On the chanting crowd now as the train pulls away. We
focus on a handsome young man, a little stiff maybe, a
little intellectual. This is VALENTIN FEDOROVITCH
BULGAKOV. He can't contain his enthusiasm. Over the noise
of the train.
VALENTIN
Do you know who that is? That is
the greatest man in the world.
The train pulls away into the distance.
TITLE OVER BLACK: SPRING 1910
4 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. DAWN. 4
The ancestral home of the Tolstoy family in the first
budding of spring.
3.
Muzhiks (peasants) gather wood, carry water to the house. A
cart arrives loaded down with mail bags.
5 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SOFYA'S BEDROOM. DAY. 5
A handsome room, walls covered with generations of family
photographs. Religious icons are given pride of place, a
testament, not to piety, but to an ingrained social
conservatism, a certain position in the world.
Countess Sofya mumbles her morning prayers before a make
shift altar. Wiping away tears, she leaves the room.
5A INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. ENTRY/STAIR. DAY. 5A
Sofya walks down the stairs and through the entry passed an
old servant asleep in a chair. She continues to the
basement.
6 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. TOLSTOY'S BEDROOM/STUDY. DAY. 6
Tolstoy has moved himself out of the refined upper floors
into a simple vaulted room he uses as both bedroom and
study. The walls are bare except for a portrait of his
daughter. The furniture is simple, some of it hand made: a
small bed against the wall, a little writing desk in one
corner stacked with books, littered with papers, more mail,
opened and unopened. Pairs of rude homemade shoes line a
work bench.
Tolstoy sleeps in his bed. Though it's late March and
still cold, the window is open. Sofya closes it. She
stands very still, watching Tolstoy sleep. Sitting on the
bed, she gently touches his hand, whispers.
SOFYA
Darling.
She lies next to him, something girlish, hopeful in her
face, as if waiting for him to wake up and adore her, but
he sleeps on. She carefully takes his arm, positions it
under her neck, and rolling toward him, wraps it around
her. The image of love's intimacy, of wedded bliss.
His hand slips off her shoulder, once, twice. She moves
awkwardly to replace it. He moves a little toward her. She
kisses his neck, his cheek. We don't know if he's awake,
but even this shadow of intimacy penetrates her soul.
7 OMITTED 7
4.
8 INT. MOSCOW. STUDY. DAY. 8
A handsome study in the Moscow townhouse of VLADIMIR
GRIGOREVICH CHERTKOV, Tolstoy's most articulate and
dedicated disciple. He's interviewing Tolstoy's newly
appointed secretary, VALENTIN BULGAKOV, the young man we
met near the train, who, at the mention of sex, blushes a
little.
CHERTKOV
But sex... You are twenty three.
Not an easy age for abstinence,
is it?
VALENTIN
Tolstoy does not approve of
sexual relations. I know this.
CHERTKOV
He despises them, in fact...
Chertkov reaches for a small tin of moustache wax.
CHERTKOV
I don't want to belabor the
point, but I arranged for a
manservant last year who
proceeded to ruin two housemaids
just like that. He was very
upset.
VALENTIN
This would not be a problem. I'm
celibate. I'm also a strict
vegetarian.
Chertkov nods his approval, begins to worry his moustache.
CHERTKOV
Yes, I've heard many good things
about you. I've even read what
you`ve written. So has he.
Valentin's face flushes with pride. Chertkov steals a
glance at his reflection in the glass bookcase. One side of
his moustache droops a little. He tugs awkwardly at it.
CHERTKOV
My dear boy, if you were to
become Tolstoy's private
secretary, you would be given a
great gift. You'll be with him
every day, eat together, walk in
the forest by his side.
It's difficult to contain himself.
5.
VALENTIN
Believe me, since becoming a
Tolstoyan, I have become so eager
to learn, so comitted to
discussing ideas, improving my
very soul.
CHERTKOV
(smiling)
Well, we have a lot to do if we
are to get his work to the
people.
VALENTIN
We?
They both laugh.
CHERTKOV
Yes, we. If we can encourage the
spread of passive
resistance...just think of it
Valentin thousands of ordinary
Russians casting off centuries of
spiritual and political
oppression-
VALENTIN
In the name of truth and freedom.
CHERTKOV
Truth and freedom, yes but still,
my boy, there are so many enemies-
VALENTIN
Enemies?
Chertkov walks to the window, signals Valentin to follow
him. He points to
TWO MEN IN PLAINCLOTHES standing in the street below.
CHERTKOV
The Czar's police...You'll be
followed when you leave
here...and the church will stop
at nothing to bring him back into
the fold. His children can't be
trusted... only Sasha... and then
of course there is the
Countess...
(beat)
Well, one doesn't like to come
between married people whatever
the circumstances, but her dogged
attachment to private property,
her public criticism of our
movement...
(MORE)
6.
CHERTKOV (cont'd)
(beat)
The point is, he needs a man of
your intellectual gifts around
him. Someone who can help him
with the new work. Someone who
understands his goals.
Chertkov returns to the desk.
CHERTKOV
And although they've allowed me
to return to Russia, I can't see
him. They keep me under house
arrest... They might as well keep
me in a cage.
Clearly upset, Chertkov pauses to get control of himself.
He picks up a package, hands it to Valentin.
CHERTKOV
So, I need you to put these
letters directly into his hands.
One can't be sure what gets
through to him.
Valentin looks at him, quizzical.
CHERTKOV
Sofya Andreyevna does not respect
his privacy.
VALENTIN
She wouldn't open his private
correspondence...
Chertkov raises an eyebrow. An ominous silence.
CHERTKOV
I have another task for you, my
dear.
VALENTIN
Please.
CHERTKOV
You'll keep a diary for me.
He hands Valentin a notebook.
CHERTKOV
I need to know everything that
goes on at Yasnaya Polyana. Let
me know who visits the house, any
talk of the copyright to his
work, any contact with the
church, what letters come and go.
(beat)
Anything Sofya Andreyevna says.
7.
VALENTIN
Anything?
CHERTKOV
She's very, very dangerous.
9 EXT. MOSCOW. DOORWAY/STREET. EVENING. 9
Chertkov kisses Valentin delicately on both cheeks and
ushers him into the dying light.
CHERTKOV
Godspeed, my boy.
Valentin makes his way to the droshky that awaits him.
CHERTKOV
And remember what I said.
He turns back to the dark figure in the doorway.
CHERTKOV
Write everything down! Go!
10 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. MORNING. 10
SOFYA. Black and white film of her being handed the
newspapers at the step. She looks up at the camera,
irritated by its presence.
CUTTING OUT TO COLOR we see a cinematographer on the lawn
cranking away at his camera. She goes into the house.
11 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. TOLSTOY'S BEDROOM/STUDY. MORNING. 11
Where Tolstoy, awake and dressed, sits on his bed, pen in
hand, writing in his diary. Dushan sits next to him, taking
his pulse.
TOLSTOY
Nothing's working... Hand me my
other boot, my friend, will you?
DUSHAN
Let me finish.
TOLSTOY
It doesn't matter. If my heart
had stopped beating, I'd still go
riding today.
DUSHAN
Your pulse is my
responsibility...
(MORE)
8.
DUSHAN (cont'd)
and if you must ride, I insist
you wear a coat. Even the sun is
cold today.
He puts Tolstoy's arm down and hands him his riding boot.
Sofya comes ranting into the room carrying several Russian
and international dailies.
SOFYA
This is impossible! It really is!
These people are parasites!
Look...
(reading)
"Countess Tolstoy has become
estranged from her husband. They
barely speak."
She throws the paper on the floor.
SOFYA
You know who spreads all this
rubbish....
She opens another paper, a French daily.
SOFYA
C'est la meme en France. They
gossip about us in Paris... "They
do not share a similar view of
either religion or politics."
Incroyable!
TOLSTOY
(smiling)
Peut-etre. You think that's
inaccurate?
SOFYA
I think it's none of the world's
business.
She looks at Dushan who is transcribing every word into his
diary. He does it with all the master's conversations.
SOFYA
What are you doing? Don't do
that.
TOLSTOY
(smiling)
Dushan Petrovich, you're
scribbling again?
Tolstoy moves with energy and purpose toward the door.
SOFYA
Darling, where are you going?
9.
TOLSTOY
Riding with Sasha. Don't expect
us for lunch.
Something strikes him. He walks to his desk, picks up his
pen and quickly writes a sentence on a scrap of paper.
SOFYA
Leovochka, why do you insist on
dressing like that.
TOLSTOY
What do you mean?
SOFYA
Like the man who looks after the
sheep.
TOLSTOY
It's not meant to offend you.
SOFYA
But it does offend me, because it
offends reason. You're a Count,
for God's sake.
He puts his pen down, goes to her, kisses her gently on the
forehead and leaves the room.
SOFYA
Oh darling, I have something else
to say.
TOLSTOY (O.S.)
I doubt it not, my dear.
DUSHAN
He's forgotten his coat.
He runs after him, tripping over the long fur garment.
DUSHAN (O.S.)
Count Tolstoy, you've forgotten
your coat.
Meanwhile Sofya notices a photographic portrait of Chertkov
on the wall. She takes it down and tosses it in the
corner.
12 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. DAY. 12
As Tolstoy appears on the porch, we hear the WHIR of
cameras. A crowd of photographers, film cameramen,
journalists, and disciples try to catch a glimpse of the
master. Dushan steps in front of him.
10.
DUSHAN
Let him walk. Let him walk.
JOURNALIST
Count Tolstoy, you're no doubt
distressed by the Czar's
treatment of your secretary
Nikolai Gusev ?
TOLSTOY
These people are bandits.
DUSHAN
I said, let him walk.
TOLSTOY
They come into my house and
arrest a man whose only crime is
to express a view of life saner
than that which prevails.
JOURNALIST
So Gusev is innocent?
TOLSTOY
(nods)
Of course, I'm the guilty one. I
reject the Orthodox church. I
condemn the established order and
I make no secret of it.
A young peasant shouts from the crowd.
PEASANT
God bless you, Tolstoy. Thank
you.
DUSHAN
Let him walk. Let him walk.
(to Tolstoy)
But you don't banish these people
very much to your credit...I wish
I had your largeness of spirit.
A photographer's flash goes off. An old Muzhik touches
Tolstoy's sleeve, as if expecting a miracle.
Sasha, her father's soulmate, leads two horses toward them,
her mount and her father's black gelding, Delire.
SASHA
Papa.
TOLSTOY
Sasha!
11.
SASHA
Did you ride this morning?
A small crowd collects to watch father and daughter
embrace, kiss.
A WIDE SHOT of the riders- cutting around we are
13 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. ENTRY/STAIR. CONTINUOUS. 13
Sofya watches her husband and daughter ride away.
14 EXT. RIVER VALLEY. DAY 14
A steam train snakes through a broad valley.
15 INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE. DAY. 15
Valentin in his buttoned up suit looks a little out of
place in the overcrowded third class carriage. He writes in
the diary given him by Chertkov. He glances up to see, on
the bench across, a young mother taking out her breast to
nurse her baby. He blushes, doesn't know where to look. An
old peasant catches his eye, winks at him, laughs.
16 EXT. TELYATINKI. DUSK. 16
Seven miles from Tolstoy's estate, this is Telyatinki, a
communal center created by Chertkov dedicated to the study
and practice of Tolstoyism.
SERGEYENKO
Telyatinki was created by
Vladimir Grigorevich as a center
for the movement. Just last week
we had a visitor from India. We
talked to the group about the
healing properties of cobra
venum.
VALENTIN
Oh, goodness..It's a beautiful
day.
SERGEYENKO
Yes, but we will pay for it.
Sergeyenko, Chertkov's joyless secretary, and Valentin
stand on a second storey porch looking out across the
central lawn where a number of young Tolstoyans tend the
garden, work to put up a chicken coop.
12.
SERGEYENKO
The meeting room is behind us.
This is the tool shed. The
dormitory ahead.
He points out a larger building across the way.
17 INT. TELYATINKI. SLEEPING AREA. NIGHT. 17
They enter the building.
SERGEYENKO
Telyatinki is a place of freedom.
Nothing is forbidden here.
Except everything.
SERGEYENKO
Each man is alone with his
conscience and his God.
(beat)
The kitchen is below. You'll be
expected to assist with meals at
least twice a week ...and to give
a hand in the garden. We're all
equals here, you know...as
Tolstoy teaches us.
They start up the stairs.
INT. SLEEPING PORCH. TELYATINKI. DAY
SERGEYENKO
You are expected at Yasnaya
Polyana in the morning, first
thing.
VALENTIN
I look forward to it.
SERGEYENKO
Yes... you're lucky....We're all
envious.
13.
18 INT. TELYATINKI. VALENTIN'S ROOM: NIGHT 18
Small, sparse, perfect for the novice ascetic. Valentin
nods his approval.
SERGEYENKO
Vladimir Grigorevich is anxious
that you begin your reports as
soon as possible. You have the
notebook he gave you?
VALENTIN
Of course.
SERGEYENKO
You understand we must keep the
existence of the diary a secret.
Valentin smiles.
SERGEYENKO
What is it?
VALENTIN
Just that...secrecy doesn't seem
to me the essence of Tolstoy's
thought.
SERGEYENKO
But you'll admit, you're no
expert.
VALENTIN
Yes, I...I'll see you in the
morning.
SERGEYENKO
If we're spared.
Sergeyenko leaves Valentin to his bare, little room.
19 EXT. TELYATINKI COMPOUND. MORNING. 19
The sun rising. Already, disciples are at work the gardens.
20 INT. TELYATINKI. VALENTIN'S ROOM. MORNING. 20
Valentin sleeps in his tiny room. A knock on the door.
VALENTIN
Come in.
A lovely girl at his door. She's tall, twenties, high cheek
bones, short blonde hair. This is MASHA.
14.
MASHA
I've brought you a glass of tea.
VALENTIN
That's very kind of you.
MASHA
It's your first day. Enjoy it.
She sits on the bed. He's a little taken aback, not used to
this degree of familiarity. It makes no impression on
Masha.
MASHA
You met Sergeyenko?
VALENTIN
Last night.
MASHA
Ad what do you think?
VALENTIN
He seems very sincere.
Masha hands him his tea.
VALENTIN
Thank you. Why are you laughing?
MASHA
Say that again.
VALENTIN
I said he seems very... Why?
MASHA
Is that what you think?
VALENTIN
I just arrived...What's your
name?
MASHA
Masha. But you should still say
what you think. Not just about
him. We all should.
VALENTIN
Thank you for the tea.
Their eyes meet, hold. Valentin's discomfort increases.
MASHA
Tomorrow you can make your own.
She walks to the door, turns to see him still watching her.
15.
MASHA
He's a sorry old tight-assed
stick in the mud...but yes, he's
sincere.
21 EXT. ROAD TO YASNAYA POLYANA. DAY. 21
A modest horse drawn cart. Valentin sits beside the driver,
contemplates the birch trees that line the road, the long
shadows they cast. Above, crows make lazy circles in the
sky.
22 OMITTED 22
23 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. ENTRY WAY/STAIRS. DAY. 23
Valentin stands in the entry way, waiting. He looks lost.
VALENTIN
Hello...hello...
VOICE (O.S.)
You're the new secretary.
He looks up to see Sasha examining him from the landing
above.
SASHA
Papa's out. You can wait in the
library. Ivan will show you up.
She disappears. He hears a door close. He notices a surly
house servant, IVAN, who, inexplicably, leads a goat
through the house. He points upstairs and walks away.
24 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. DAY. 24
Alone now among Tolstoy's books, Valentin makes his way
slowly to a writing table, the holy of holies, on which War
and Peace and Anna Karenina were written. He runs his hand
along the old wood top. Emboldened by a backward glance, he
sits in Tolstoy's chair. Before him are stacks of letters,
pens and pencils, a pot of India ink. There's a notebook
lying open. He leans forward to read it. A noise in the
hall stops him.
Tolstoy enters from the dining room, red cheeked, beard
dripping wet, the energy of a man ten years younger than he
is. Valentin stands.
TOLSTOY
I'm glad you're here. So glad.
16.
He tromps across the room, kisses the boy enthusiastically
on both cheeks. Valentin is overcome by the great man's
warmth.
VALENTIN
I'm... I'm... Here is-
Valentin interrupts himself with a sneeze.
TOLSTOY
God bless you.
VALENTIN
I'm sorry. Sometimes I...
Valentin pulls out a letter of introduction. Tolstoy takes
it out and puts it down without a glance.
TOLSTOY
Vladimir Grigorevich has already
written about you at length. I
need your help badly. The
manifesto against the government
is hard work. They commit their
idiotic abuses faster than I can
catalogue them...and the new
book...
VALENTIN
He told me about it...It's very
exciting.
Tolstoy nods.
TOLSTOY
I've become convinced that all
the world's religions have a
single organizing principle. Can
you guess what it is? Love!
Love! Simple... Now, I want to
talk about you. How are you? How
was your journey? Come, sit
down.
Tolstoy sits on the old sofa. Valentin follows suit.
TOLSTOY
You know, I was born on this
sofa...
Valentin gets right back up. Tolstoy laughs, pats the sofa.
TOLSTOY
Sit. Sit.
Valentin sits down.
17.
TOLSTOY
Myself, my brother, my children,
at least five or six of them,
right here.
(beat)
Now, I've read your essays. How`s
your work progressing?
Valentin looks into the great man's kind old face. He tries
to speak but he's overcome with emotion and begins to weep.
TOLSTOY
My boy, what is it?
(beat)
I upset you in some way. Was it
the sofa? It's only a sofa.
Valentin shakes his head, smiling through his tears.
VALENTIN
I'm very happy. You are very
kind. I'm no one and you are...
you are Leo Tolstoy and you ask
me about my work.
Tolstoy takes Valentin's hand, sits him back on sofa.
TOLSTOY
You rest for a moment and I'll
fetch you a glass of tea. Rest,
because there's work for both of
us together.
He smiles and goes, leaving Valentin to contemplate his
fortune.
25 OMITTED 25
26 OMITTED 26
27 OMITTED 27
28 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. DAY. 28
Sofya, Sasha, Valentin, ANDREY, Tolstoy's son, and Tolstoy
all clustered around a table taking tea. Dushan stands near
the group fiddling with a gramophone that sits on a small
table.
SOFYA
These people have nothing.
18.
DUSHAN
It really is the most
extraordinary thing.
Absolutely ignoring him.
SOFYA
It's not for lack of land that
the muzhiks live in poverty.
They have no will power and they
drink too much.
TOLSTOY
I'm not suggesting they be given
land. Private property is the
root of the problem... We should
be giving ours away.
ANDREY
Give it to whom?
SOFYA
It's all ridiculous. You think
that poverty makes the peasants
somehow morally superior.
TOLSTOY
I believe that wealth corrupts us
all, yes I do.
A pause. Valentin fills the silence.
VALENTIN
It's a keystone of the movement.
SOFYA
Oh, I know all about the
movement.
A pause. Valentin notices that people from the front lawn
have moved up to watch all this. Life in the fishbowl, the
Tolstoys seem neither to notice nor care.
TOLSTOY
If the peasants had money, they
wouldn't surround themselves, as
we do, with footmen costing ten
rubles a month.
SOFYA
No, they'd spend it on drink and
whores.
TOLSTOY
Valentin Fedorovich, do you think
fifty years from now, people will
eat while grown men walk around
and wait on them hand and foot?
19.
Valentin doesn't know what to say. A giggle from Dushan.
DUSHAN
Oh, that's good...that's good.
Dushan, having sat at table, tries surreptitiously to get
down Tolstoy's words in the diary he holds below the table.
Sofya flushes with anger.
VALENTIN
I think...(sneeze)
SOFYA
Stop scribbling!
(points to her husband)
You all think he's Christ, don't
you? He thinks he's Christ.
There is an awkward pause.
DUSHAN
(flustered)
I'm not...I don't believe Leo
Nikolayevich is Christ. Christ is
Christ but...
SOFYA
But what?
DUSHAN
I believe he's one of the
prophets. God speaks through him.
I recognize the cadence in his
voice.
SOFYA
This is unbearable. No wonder I
feel lonely. I'm surrounded by
morrons.
SASHA
Mama, you're being ridiculous.
SOFYA
Am I? I sit here and listen to
this talk of love and God and
equality, knowing full well that
Count Generosity here is fully
prepared to give away everything
we have.
TOLSTOY
(exhausted)
You keep going on like that...Why
do you think we should profit
from the work Iīm doing which is
only meant for the sake of the
people.
20.
She turns to see Dushan scribbling again.
SOFYA
STOP IT! STOP WRITING NOW!
Valentin glances at Sasha, uncomfortable at these
outbursts. A long pause. Dushan tries to relieve the
tension.
DUSHAN
In defense of my gift, let me
demonstrate. It's quite
remarkable, really.
He gets up, places a record on the gramophone, needle on
the record. What comes forth is not music, but Tolstoy's
voice.
It is a recording of a recent speech against capital
punishment. His voice booms, tinny and distorted. Dushan
walks to the machine, stares at it in awe. Valentin is
completely caught up in the technology.
VALENTIN
It's your voice. It's wonderful.
They all listen for a moment, look to Tolstoy for a
response.
TOLSTOY
It's tiresome. Another
remarkable invention will
supercede it.
Valentin blushes and looks at the table. Dushan tries to
hide his disappointment.
TOLSTOY
Please excuse me.
Tolstoy rises, leaves the table, walks out onto the lawn.
Dushan gets up quickly, bumping the table as he goes. Tea
spills. Valentin moves to wipe it up, sneezes, a barrage of
irritable blessings.
DUSHAN
Leo Nikolayevich is something of
a Luddite, I fear.
Sofya crosses to the machine, removes the record from the
gramophone, replaces it with another Dushan has brought.
Suddenly, the air is filled with the final duet from
Mozart's Il Nozze di Figaro. She returns to her place.
There is a long moment where all take in the sublimity of
it. Tolstoy walks slowly back to the table. He stands
completely still. Tears fill his eyes and roll down his
cheeks.
21.
TOLSTOY
Oh, thatīs better. Thatīs nice.
Very nice indeed.
Sofya crosses to her husband, wipes the tears off his face.
Valentin watches as they embrace.
VALENTIN (O.S.)
Do your parents often speak to
each other so...bluntly?
29 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. EVENING. 29
Across from Tolstoy's writing desk is Sasha's world, a
makeshift office lined with more bookcases where she does
her work, sending cables, editing manuscripts, answering
endless stacks of mail. Valentin sits near her, learning
the ropes.
SASHA
My mother doesn't understand my
father's goals, not since his
work as a novelist became
secondary. His commitment to
the spiritual life offends her.
They've fought about it for
years.
VALENTIN
I'm sure she means well.
Sasha just looks at him.
VALENTIN
Your father is the greatest
writer in the world.
SASHA
Quite.
A pause.
VALENTIN
I mean to say, I feel privileged
to be here. It's an... honor.
Valentin feels himself slip further into mundanity. Sasha
goes back to her letter. Valentin SNEEZES.
SASHA
God Bless You.
They read together for a moment. He sneezes again.
SASHA
(irritated)
God bless you.
22.
VALENTIN
I'm sorry. Sometimes I sneeze
when I'm nervous.
She regards him like an animal in the zoo. Ivan appears at
the door.
SASHA
What is it?
IVAN
Itīs a note, for him.
He nods toward Valentin.
SASHA
Well, give it to him then.
Valentin reads the note.
VALENTIN
Itīs from your mother. She wants
to see me.
As Valentin goes,
SASHA
She is looking for allies. Pay
attention. This is war.
30 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SITTING ROOM. NIGHT. 30
Sofya is settled on a divan in a small room off the dining
room. Valentin sits beside her holding a glass of tea.
SOFYA
I see a fine young man before me.
Clear eyes. Nice features, rather
handsome in a peculiar way.
VALENTIN
Thank you, Countess...
SOFYA
Call me Sofya Andreyevna. We
don't stand on formality here, as
you may have observed.
(beat)
Many young men ruin their looks
by loose living. You're a real
Tolstoyan, I can tell!
VALENTIN
I admire your husband immensely.
SOFYA
That's excellent. He likes that.
23.
VALENTIN
His ideas are beautiful...social
justice...the idea...Don't you
think?
Sofya drains her tea cup, signals for more.
SOFYA
He's very grateful for the help
you've been giving him. He told
me so himself. I think it
surprises him that a young man
would be so diligent. When he was
your age, he was whoring in the
Caucasus.
Valentin's eyes are wide. She nods.
SOFYA
He wrote it all down. He even
gave me a copy, so I could read
all the details...
VALENTIN
Thank you.
SOFYA
You've read War and Peace?
VALENTIN
Many times... twice.
Sofya smiles at his honesty.
SOFYA
When he was writing it, long
before Chertkov created that
monstrosity at Telyatinki, before
all this "new religion" and
revolutionary nonsense...
(beat)
What do you think of Chertkov, by
the way?
VALENTIN
He's given me an extraordinary
opportunity.
SOFYA
But you see what a fool he is, a
self-serving puritanical idiot. I
have to say, it's been extremely
pleasant since they've locked him
in his house.
Sofya smiles. Valentin is nonplussed by her directness.
24.
SOFYA
When my husband was writing it,
in the mid-sixties, he'd bring me
pages to re-copy everyday.
I was the only one who could read
his handwriting. I could read his
intentions, too. Afternoons, we'd
drink tea and discuss changes.
"Natasha wouldn't say that to
Prince Andrey," or "Pierre's too
simple here. He's not stupid."
She smiles at the memory.
SOFYA
But I don't count anymore.
Silence. She sips her tea. She glances out the door to see
Sasha hovering nearby. Listening? Sasha walks away.
SOFYA
You must help me, Valentin
Fedorovich. I want only what is
best for my husband and my
family. I could tolerate the
situation if it only concerned me
What I can not do is sit back
while they steal my children's
inheritance. Do you know I was
the only person. I could
understand his intention.
VALENTIN
I don't believe anyone wants to
do that.
Sofya gives him a condescending smile. She produces a
package from the table beside her, hands it to him.
SOFYA
I have a little gift for you
He opens it, extracts a small leather bound book. He stares
at it.
SOFYA
It's a diary.
(beat)
Everyone should always keep a
diary.
VALENTIN
It's a very popular activity
around your husband.
SOFYA
You're teasing me, but I trust
you'll write the truth.
25.
VALENTIN
That may not be so easy.
SOFYA
Nonsense. You've been listening
to your friends at Telyatinki...
(beat)
Write what you see. That's always
the place to begin.
(slowly)
What. You. See.
Valentin fingers the package, stifles a sneeze.
SOFYA
More tea?
31 EXT. TELYATINKI COMPOUND. DAY 31
Valentin rides into the compound. A number of the disciples
are outside working. There is the ringing of metal on
wood. He looks for the source. As the way clears a little,
he sees Masha chopping away with an axe. He stops his horse
to watch her.
MASHA
You're finished for the day?
VALENTIN
He didn't need me this afternoon.
He gets down off his horse. Masha continues to chop. He
picks up an axe, holds it awkwardly.
VALENTIN
Leo Nikolayevich disapproves of
women doing physical labor.
(beat)
Don't you find that reactionary?
MASHA
No, I find it sweet. I find you
reactionary.
She laughs. Valentin picks up a log, sets it on end and
begins to chop. He doesn't do it well. Masha smiles at his
struggle.
MASHA
He admires you, I believe.
What's she saying?
MASHA
Sergeyenko told me. He's
miserable about it.
26.
VALENTIN
Tolstoy's kind to everyone.
The log is stuck to the blade of his axe. He's really
struggling now.
MASHA
What do you talk about when
you're with him?
(beat)
Why are you blushing?
VALENTIN
We talk about me.
MASHA
Really.
VALENTIN
He wants to know everything about
me, my parents, my relations with
women, my experience of god -
He looks up to see Masha smiling at him.
MASHA
And what relations are these?
Valentin blushes, goes back to trying to chopping. Almost
immediately the log becomes stuck to the blade of the axe.
He bangs it, bangs it trying to free it. He glances up to
see her still looking at him. He pounds again and again.
She stops, reaches for his axe, touching him as she does.
She lifts the big axe, log and all, above her head,
bringing it down hard. The log splits. She hands the axe to
him.
MASHA
I had a lover before I came
here... headmaster of a school
where I taught. He was married -
happily married. It was
difficult. We could make love
only at school.
This is somehow more than Valentin had bargained for.
VALENTIN
At school?
MASHA
In the gymnasium, after the girls
had gone. There were straw mats
on the floor.
VALENTIN
I see...
27.
He looks away to hide his confusion.
MASHA
Have I upset you?
He looks at her.
VALENTIN
No...I appreciate your frankness
MASHA
But you disapprove of me. I see
it in your eyes.
VALENTIN
I don't. Not at all...I think
sexual activity...how men and
women combine their physical
parts is completely neutral.
MASHA
Listen to you. You're a prig.
Just like Sergeyenko. Why else
would they have hired you?
VALENTIN
That's not fair
MASHA
I don't care if it's fair. It's
true...neutral...my God...
VALENTIN
I'm going.
He puts down the axe.
MASHA
Do as you like.
She goes back to chopping. We track in front of him as he
walks toward the house. The chopping stops.
MASHA
Valentin Fedorovich.
He stops, relieved and turns to face her.
MASHA
You forgot your horse.
VALENTIN
Yes. You know, I think that I...
never mind.
He hesitates for a moment, then starts toward her. Her back
is to him. She begins to chop again. The color rises in his
face as he tries to salvage a little dignity.
28.
He grabs the reins and starts again toward the buildings,
trips in a ditch, almost falls flat. Red faced, he rights
himself. The chopping behind him remains constant.
Sergeyenko watches him from the porch.
32 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. DAY 32
CLOSE on the CABLE MACHINE. A message coming through.
32A INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. ENTRY WAY/STAIR. DAY. 32A
Sofya walks into the house with another stack of mail.
Sasha comes piling down the stairs.
SASHA
Where's papa?
Without waiting for the answer, Sasha races past her and
out the door
33 OMITTED 33
34 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. ZASYEKA WOODS. DAY 34
Valentin and Tolstoy walk together in the woods. .
TOLSTOY
I couldn't write. I was
distracted I think...I had a
dream last night, about a Tartar
girl I knew in the war.
VALENTIN
A girl who died?
TOLSTOY
No, no...A girl I had sexual
intercourse with... Sometimes we
did it twice a day.
Valentin sneezes.
TOLSTOY
God bless...I've never forgotten
our time together, the position
of our bodies, the taste of
her...
VALENTIN
You shouldn't torture yourself.
It was a long time ago.
Tolstoy laughs out loud.
29.
TOLSTOY
Torture? You are a virgin,
aren't you.
VALENTIN
I try to...you know, to...
TOLSTOY
To be what, a good Tolstoyan?
Tolstoy smiles.
TOLSTOY
You see, I myself am not a very
good Tolstoyan. You should think
twice about asking my advice
about anything... Torture...
(he laughs)
VALENTIN
Are you alright?
TOLSTOY
Kalya, her name was...She's an
old woman now, white hair, old
body like me. She'd hardly
remember my name, I suspect. She
may even be dead. (beat) Do you
think that meant something?
VALENTIN
What do you mean?
TOLSTOY
I mean that little romance. Was
there some meaning to it?
VALENTIN
Itīs interesting. I think you
would say..I mean, Iīve read
where you say that the physical
body isnīt real. That itīs all an
illusion.
TOLSTOY
I say lots of things. What do you
say? What do you think?
VALENTIN
I...I donīt know.
Leo Nikoleyevich smiles.
TOLSTOY
I donīt know, either.
He inhales deeply.
30.
TOLSTOY
Smell that...
VALENTIN
Lilac?
He looks up as he hears Sasha off screen. "Papa. Papa."
TOLSTOY
Precisely. It's lilac. The
smell's stronger when the sun
goes down.
He presses Valentin's hand.
SASHA
Papa!
TOLSTOY
I've enjoyed myself, my boy.
(shouting for Sasha)
WE'RE HERE.
As he starts in the direction of her voice. Sasha appears
in the clearing, telegram in hand.
SASHA
He's free. He's free...He's
coming back
Smash cut to
35 EXT. RAILWAY. COUNTRYSIDE. DAY 35
A train roars past camera, shaking the world.
36 OMITTED 36
37 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. DAY 37
Chertkov climbs down from his droshky. Suddenly, Tolstoy is
there. Valentin watches them embrace.
TOLSTOY
My dear, dear man.
Tears run down his old cheeks. They embrace again.
SOFYA (O.S.)
He'll try again to convince your
father to change his will.
31.
38 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. ENTRY/STAIRS. DAY. 38
Andrey and Sofya stand together at the window, watching the
joyful reunion.
SOFYA
To give the copyright as "a gift
to humanity."...the reptile.
ANDREY
Papa's not in his right mind. He
can't defend himself against
these thieves.
(beat)
My tooth is killing me.
SOFYA
You're a fine son, darling. None
of this make believe chastity and
made up religion. I wish all my
children had turned out like you.
Andrey's finger in his mouth, massages the offending molar.
ANDREY
A man'th responthibility ith to
hith family.
From her POV, we see the two men walk away together arm in
arm, talking animatedly.
SOFYA
Chertkov's notions of virtuous
behavior are calculated to
destroy me.
ANDREY
To dethtroy uth all.
SOFYA
There is nothing more pathetic
than impoverished aristocrats.
She walks out of the room.
39 EXT. GROUNDS. YASNAYA POLYANA. DAY. 39
And into the drive to greet Chertkov. He moves immediately
to her, offers her his hand and an unctuous smile.
SOFYA
Vladimir Grigorevich, what a
surprise.
CHERTKOV
Sofya Andreyevna, I'm happy to
see you.
32.
Valentin watches her match him smile for smile. *
SOFYA
And I'm happy to make you
happy...always.
40 OMITTED 40
41 EXT. ROAD TO TELYATINKI. DAY 41
Valentin and Chertkov sit together in the droshky, an
awkward silence.
CHERTKOV
I'm glad to have a moment alone
with you, Valentin. How do you
think you're getting on?
VALENTIN
(a little nervous)
I hope my work is pleasing to Leo
Nikolayevich.
CHERTKOV
Yes. He seems satisfied and
that's good. The reports I've
received from you however...
There seems to be some confusion.
VALENTIN
What do you mean?
CHERTKOV
You send me never ending
commentary on Tolstoy's writing.
That's all very interesting but
not very useful. I need to know
what goes on with Sofya
Andreyevna. You must see by now
she's committed to undermining
her husband's best intentions.
VALENTIN
It's not quite so obvious to me.
CHERTKOV
Because she is duplicitous. You
are very bright. Too bright to
let her into you.
Chertkov fixes the boy with his intense gaze.
CHERTKOV
You value our work?
33.
VALENTIN
I do.
CHERTKOV
The ideals we share?
VALENTIN
That's why I'm here.
CHERTKOV
Good, of course it is. (beat) Do
you think the Countess suspects
something?
VALENTIN
Well, I think the Countess is
very suspicios by nature.
CHERTKOV
How so?
VALENTIN
I donīt think she likes you very
much.
CHERTKOV
What does she say?
VALENTIN
Itīs a tone Iīve picked up.
CHERTKOV
We simply want to distribute
Tolstoy's work to the widest
audience possible. She just has
no understanding what it is we
are trying to do. Thereīs nothing
in it for any of us but a real
chance to increase the worldīs
happiness.
He takes Valentin's hand.
CHERTKOV
I can only be of limited help to
the master if I don't know what's
going on. Any effort she makes to
shore up control of the
copyright, I must know. The
survival of our movement depends
on it. Remember who your friends
are. What you've come here to do.
Chertkov turns away to watch the countryside. Valentin
stares straight ahead, his nose twitches slightly.
42 OMITTED 42
34.
43 OMITTED 43
44 OMITTED 44
45 OMITTED 45
46 OMITTED 46
47 INT. TELYATINKI. VALENTIN'S ROOM. NIGHT. 47
Valentin, in bed, writes in his diary. Closing his eyes, he
begins to drift off when there is a noise outside his door.
VALENTIN
Hello... Hello?
After a moment, it opens a crack.
VALENTIN
Masha?
She is there. She puts two fingers to her lips and walks
toward him. She carries a candle which reveals her short
hair, her lovely eyes.
VALENTIN
Masha.
She says nothing, simply crawls into bed, positions her
knees on either side of him. She leans forward and kisses
him.
VALENTIN
Masha.
MASHA
Ssshh.
She begins to move against him. Their faces touch. She
doesn't kiss him, but he can feel her breath. She sits up.
MASHA
Move the book.
VALENITN
What?
MASHA
Your book.
It's true. Valentin still clutches the diary to his chest.
He puts it aside. Masha, then, pulls her nightdress over
head, exposing her small breasts, her flat stomach.
35.
She reaches under the sheets, curls her fingers around him.
He flinches at the pleasure of it.
MASHA
Is it alright?
He can't speak. Only nod. He bites his lip as she slips him
into her and begins to rock. The pleasure is too much, and
he comes too quickly. She falls forward on him, begins to
laugh.
VALENTIN
What...what is it?
MASHA
You really are a virgin.
Valentin tenses a little.
MASHA
I'm playing. It's fine. It's
wonderful...
(beat)
Hold me.
He does, as if he'll never release her.
48 EXT. TELYATINKI COMPOUND. MORNING. 48
Activity in the compound. Chairs on the lawn, a banner
being erected, a long table being set. Preparations being
made.
49 INT. TELYATINKI. VALENTIN'S ROOM. MORNING. 49
Light spills into Valentin's room. He lies with his arms
around naked Masha.
VALENTIN
Wake up, wake up.
MASHA
I am awake.
VALENTIN
I want to ask you something..Say
it again.
MASHA
It was wonderful.
They both giggle.
VALENTIN
Why did you come to a place like
this?
36.
MASHA
What do you mean?
VALENTIN
You donīt follow any of the
rules.
Masha smiles.
MASHA
You mean, why does someone who
doesn't follow the rules come to
a place like this?
MASHA
..it's not about rules. Not for
Tolstoy anyway...
A knock at the door startles them.
SERGEYENKO (O.S.)
Valentin Fedorovich.
Valentin is suddenly in a panic.
VALENTIN
What is it?
49A INT. TELYATINKI. CORRIDOR. DAY. 49A
Sergeyenko hovers outside the bedroom door.
SERGEYENKO
Open the door.
VALENTIN (O.S.)
At the moment, I'm indisposed.
SERGEYENKO
Yes, well...Leo Nikolayevich is
here. He want s to see you.
49B INT. TELYATINKI. VALENTIN'S ROOM. DAY. 49B
Valentin blanches.
VALENTIN
Tell him... I'll be down at once.
SERGEYENKO (O.S.)
Yes..and tell Maria Filipovna we
could use another hand in the
kitchen.
They look at each other.
37.
VALENTIN
If I see her I will...
SERGEYENKO (O.S.)
If you see her...yes. And if
you're going to behave like
rabbits, you should go live in
the woods.
Valentin is up, immediately.
VALENTIN
Let me go out first...give me
five minutes...
Masha just looks at him.
50 EXT. TELYATINKI COMPOUND. DAY. 50
A Tolstoyan photo op. A delegation of orphans have come to
pay their respects to Tolstoy. He sits in a chair beside
Chertkov beneath a large banner : "Leo Tolstoy, Friend of
the People.". Behind him, the disciples lay out a
vegetarian feast on a plank table. Photographers and a
cinematographer are strategically positioned to record the
event.
Each child gives Tolstoy a flower. Chertkov, in turn, hands
each child a photograph of the Count giving money to the
poor.
Valentin enters, flushed and blushing. He pauses beside
Dushan who records the scene in his diary, tears in his
eyes.
DUSHAN
Look at the love in him, like
Jesus..suffering the
children...all that...
Tolstoy greets a little boy affectionately, rubs his
knuckles over the boy's shaved head. A little girl
approaches, takes a photograph. He bends forward to kiss
her head but she pulls away.
TOLSTOY
An old man is a very ugly thing.
Tolstoy sees Valentin, lights up.
TOLSTOY
My dear boy. Come and kiss me.
Valentin, beet red, goes to him. He is warmly embraced.
38.
TOLSTOY
Now, who is this? Maria
Filipovna.
Masha comes to stand beside him. She glances at Valentin
but he won't make eye contact with her.
TOLSTOY
You're both looking so well. Life
here at Telyatinki obviously
agrees with you.
Valentin sneezes mightily, moves a little away.
TOLSTOY
God bless you, boy. What are you
nervous about, now? Sit down. Sit
down.
Valentin takes the chair beside him.
TOLSTOY
Dear Masha, Valentin tells me
you're the great treasure of
Telyatinki. He claims you're a
very gifted teacher.
Sergeyenko lifts an eyebrow "Indeed.". Valentin is in
agony.
MASHA
We're happy to have you with us.
Tolstoy notices a mosquito on Valentin's cheek. He takes
the bug between his big fingers, squeezes until it pops.
Chertkov watches in horror, whispers loudly.
CHERTKOV
What are you doing?
TOLSTOY
What do you mean?
He motions to the photographers.
CHERTKOV
You've killed a living thing.
Chertkov hears a laugh behind him. It is Masha who has
over heard the whole thing.
CHERTKOV
Do you have something to say?
MASHA
It's absurd. That's all.
Chertkov is taken aback. Valentin stares at her.
39.
VALENTIN
What are you saying?
MASHA
I'm sorry but- It's a mosquito.
TOLSTOY
Forgive him. He can't help it.
He's a better Tolstoyan than I
am.
She can't help laughing again. Valentin sees the color rise
in Chertkov's face.
CHERTKOV
It's not the message we want to
send.
Sasha suddenly appears. She holds a cable in her hand.
SASHA
From my mother "Nerves dreadful.
Stop. Insomnia. Stop. Pulse 100.
Stop. Please come home.
51 INT. TELYATINKI. CHERTKOV'S STUDY. DAY. 51
Chertkov is there. Tolstoy, Valentin and Sasha.
SASHA
Don't give in to her, Papa.
It'll never end...I swear to God,
that woman has an instinct for
knowing when you're just about to
enjoy yourself
A knock on the door. Valentin opens it. It's Dushan with
another cable. Tolstoy gestures for him to read it aloud.
DUSHAN
From Sofya Andreyevna. "I beg
you. Stop. Unwell. Stop. Hurry
back."
SASHA
Who taught her to use that damned
machine?
Valentin starts to sneeze, stifles it, starts again,
stifles, starts, explodes. Guilty.
CHERTKOV
Perhaps Sasha's right.
Encouraging this may not be the
best thing.
40.
SASHA
It's a trick, Papa. She'll drain
you. You'll be miserable.
Tolstoy looks from one to the other, gets up from his
chair.
SASHA
Then, let me go with you.
TOLSTOY
No, my dear, I'll go alone.
52 OMITTED 52
53 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SOFYA'S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 53
Close on Sofya lying in bed. She looks ravishing in the
candle light. In the background, Tolstoy arrives in the
bedroom door.
TOLSTOY
Sofya.
A sly smile on her lips, the tension gone from her face,
she seems twenty years younger.
TOLSTOY
Sofya, are you ill?
She rolls toward him making it clear she's quite naked
under the sheets. This is no sick bed.
SOFYA
I'm fine...now that you're home.
TOLSTOY
It's no good, you know, all this.
You frightened everyone.
SOFYA
Did I really? I don't believe
it. Not you. I'm your little
bird. You know the sounds I
make.
TOLSTOY
That was some sort of love call?
SOFYA
It brought you back to me.
She reaches out her hand to him.
41.
SOFYA
Come out of the dark... where I
can see you.
He takes a step toward her, then stops.
TOLSTOY
Why? Why? Why, do you do it? We
live in the country and you
insist on making it an opera
house. What's wrong with a little
peace now and then?
Sofya laughs.
SOFYA
Look at me. This is who I am.
This is what you married. We're
older, maybe we're old, but I'm
still your little chicken
(beat)
You're still my big cock.
She smiles at him.
SOFYA
Let me make you crow.
A pause, then a huge laugh comes up from the very center of
him. He twists his neck, thrusts his head upward, crows
like a rooster.
He virtually runs to her, embraces her, kisses her. She is
a giddy girl in his arms. He breaks the embrace and begins
strutting around the room.
SOFYA
Let me make you sing.
He takes her in his arms, again, begins to kiss her neck.
SOFYA
Do you love me?
TOLSTOY
I do.
SOFIA
I want you to love me.
He stops kissing her, looks her in the eye. Then, another
loud crow. Laughing, they fall into each other again.
53A EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. NIGHT. 53A
And we hear their laughter over the dark old house.
42.
54 EXT. TELYATINKI. PORCH. NIGHT. 54
Valentin sits by himself on the porch, writes in his diary.
Down below, some of the disciples listen to peasants play
music around a bonfire. A voice from the darkness.
MASHA
I'm not supposed to do this
either.
He locates the speaker by the glow of her lit cigarette.
VALENTIN
Masha. You are not supposed to
smoke at Telyatinki.
MASHA
You wouldn't look at me.
VALENTIN
It was difficult in front of the
others.
MASHA
But it wasn't difficult in your
bed... When it was only you and
me in front of God.
VALENTIN
I'm not sure I was conscious of
God.
Masha emerges from the shadows, but keeps her distance.
MASHA
So, I made you forget God?
VALENTIN
No...
MASHA
Yes, only for a moment. You
forgot your rules and remembered
love.
VALENTIN
You make it sound very simple.
MASHA
It is simple. What we did is what
men and women do, have done, will
continue doing. What could be
more simple? We touched each
other-- stayed close together.
Something passed between us.
Something real. That is a
betrayal of what? Of nothing.
(MORE)
43.
MASHA (cont'd)
But you're afraid... All your
ideas. What are you afraid of?
VALENTIN
I'm afraid I've hurt you, havenīt
I?
MASHA
No. I feel a little sad, but it
is not for me. It's for you.
She disappears into the house. Valentin looks after her.
55 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SOFYA'S BEDROOM. MORNING. 55
The Countess wakes to find her bed empty.
56 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. BACK TERRACE. DAY. 56
She comes through the dining room to find Tolstoy on the
back terrace. Wrapped in a blanket, he writes in his diary,
a cup of tea in front of him.
SOFYA
Good morning, my darling? Do you
mind if I join you?
Without looking up
TOLSTOY
Of course, my dear.
He continues to write. She watches him for a long moment.
She opens her diary and begins to write as well.
SOFYA
It's quite insane, my darling.
Everyone is making fun of you.
He looks up.
TOLSTOY
What are you talking about?
She continues to write.
SOFYA
Even the muzhiks. I heard them
laughing in the barn.
TOLSTOY
About what?
Sofya looks at him knowingly.
44.
TOLSTOY
Laughing about what?
SOFYA
I don't want to ruin last night.
She sips her tea, goes back to her writing. A pause. He
follows suit. After a moment...
SOFYA
Laughing about the fact that
you've developed a senile crush
on a fat middle aged flatterer.
Your passion for Chertkov has
become a standing joke.
TOLSTOY
I have a great affection for
Vladimir Grigorivich. Let them
laugh if they find it amusing.
SOFYA
But it's not amusing, darling.
It's sick. It's not normal. You
hang on his every word.
TOLSTOY
We have a great deal in common.
SOFYA
You have nothing in common. You
are a genius. He's a sycophant
and a pervert.
TOLSTOY
Because he understands what I'm
trying to do? Because he tries
to help me accomplish it?
SOFYA
He is using you. You just can't
seem to see it.
TOLSTOY
This is absolute nonsense.
SOFYA
That bold, obese, idiotic man.
You treat him...
He turns to her...his face red with anger and frustration.
TOLSTOY
It's impossible for you not to
distract me. Let me alone... for
God's sake. You're like a spoiled
child.
45.
He rises, spits on the ground, goes into the house. Sofya
follows.
57 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. DINING ROOM. CONTINUOUS. 57
Catching him up.
SOFYA
Do you love me, Lyovochka?
TOLSTOY
Of course, I do.
SOFYA
Then why would you betray me?
TOLSTOY
Why do you say that?
SOFYA
Because of the will?
57A INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. ENTRY WAY/STAIRS/LANDING. DAY 57A
Tolstoy, taken aback, says nothing.
SOFYA
The new will.
TOLSTOY
There's no new will.
She stares at him in silence.
TOLSTOY
There is no new will.
SOFYA
Does Chertkov have it?
TOLSTOY
There's no new will.
He walks up the stairs. She follows.
SOFYA
But that's why he's come back.
You talk about it, you and your
boyfriend. You plan for it. You
have no heart for the people who
really love you. You'd rather be
seduced by charlatans and deluded
by flatterers, all in the name of
love....You can't even love your
own children. You can't even
love me.
46.
SOFYA
Tell me where it is?
TOLSTOY
There is no new will.
58 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. CONTINUOUS. 58
He goes to his desk, tries to ignore her.
SOFYA
Then, promise me there never will
be.
A moment's hesitation.
TOLSTOY
Iīve told you the truth. Now, let
me work. Please, will you?
He walks to his desk.
59 OMITTED 59
60 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. CONTINUOUS. DAY. 60
Tolstoy looks up from his work. Sofya stands in the
doorway.
SOFYA
Tomorrow, I'll go to the Station
and lie down on the track.
Tolstoy's wife becomes Anna
Karenina herself! See how the
papers will like that!
As he goes, we hear.
TOLSTOY (O.S.)
This is unbearable. You don't
want a husband. You want a Greek
chorus.
Sofya is taken aback by his response. She walks out of the
room.
61 EXT. ROAD TO TELYATINKI. DAY 61
Four peasants pull a water cart down a rough country road.
We pan off to see Sofya in her droshky, resplendent in a
white dress.
47.
62 INT. TELYATINKI. CHERTKOV'S STUDY. DAY. 62
CHERTKOV and SERGEYENKO look through a crack in the
interior window.
THEIR POV - the Countess on the sofa drinking a glass of
tea.
Valentin enters from the meeting room.
VALENTIN
She's here to question you about
the new will.
Chertkov nervous, tugs at his moustache.
CHERTKOV
How does she know it even exists?
VALENTIN
She claims Leo Nikolayevich told
her she could examine the draft.
CHERTKOV
He is obviously not thinking
clearly. And now we have to put
up with her petty grasping.
VALENTIN
It doesn't seem petty to me.
CHERTKOV
I beg your pardon?
VALENTIN
He`s her life. The work, in her
mind, is theirs...together.
CHERTKOV
And you're her advocate? You've
been taken in by her celebrity. I
worried about this.
VALENTIN
I'm talking about their history --
- simply that.
CHERTKOV
We should see her. Act as if
nothing has happened.
VALENTIN
Nothing has happened.
63 INT. TELYATINKI. MEETING ROOM. DAY. 63
The men enter the meeting room.
48.
CHERTKOV
Sofya Andreyevna, at last, you
honour us with your visit.
Valentin watches her match him smile for smile.
SOFYA
And I'm happy to make you
happy...always.
She looks at him curiously.
CHERTKOV
What is it?
SOFYA
Your moustache is...
Drooping, one side of it anyway.
CHERTKOV
(nodding)
It's a problem of the wax.
Sofya takes them in.
SOFYA
Let me get to the point. Vladimir
Grigorivich, I don't wish to be
your enemy. I'm delighted that my
husband has a friend who
understands and shares his
ideals. All I want is what's
reasonable - an opportunity to
evaluate the new will. If you
agree, I'm sure we can be
friends.
CHERTKOV
You're very kind. Sofya
Andreyevna. But I can't help you.
Not without specific instructions
from your husband.
SOFYA
(to Bulgakov)
Leo Nikolayevich has agreed,
hasn't he Val-
CHERTKOV
No witness you produce will
change my position. But I'll
certainly talk to Leo
Nikolayevich at the first
opportunity.
Sofya is livid.
49.
SOFYA
Very well.
CHERTKOV
I want us to be friends, too,
Sofya. Leo Nikolayevich is the
most valuable thing in the world,
for both of us. We should
endeavor to set things right
between us. Give him peace. Let
him work.
SOFYA
Yes.
(beat)
Valentin Fedorovich...are you
coming back to the house with me?
Valentin glances between them, searching for middle ground.
VALENTIN
I'll escort the Countess home and
be back in time for supper.
Sergeyenko sneers.
SERGEYENKO
Masha will be overjoyed.
Valentin's nose twitches. He looks at the floor.
SOFYA (O.S.)
Have you been keeping something
from me? How delightful.
64 EXT. ROAD TO TELYATINKI. DAY. 64
They are back in the droshky, the return trip to Yasnaya
Polyana. Valentin doesn't respond.
SOFYA
We've become close friends, I
think. Tell me everything, dear
boy. I love a romance.
VALENTIN
It's nothing, really.
SOFYA
A young woman in your life is
nothing?
VALENTIN
Masha is a friend.
SOFYA
A lover?
50.
VALENTIN
A good friend.
SOFYA
That sounds serious enough.
Valentin looks away.
SOFYA
I don't mean to annoy you.
VALENTIN
I'm not annoyed.
SOFYA
You forget that I'm an
experienced reader. I can read
your face, every letter. It's
beautifully clear.
(beat)
Do you love her?
Valentin looks at Sofya, tears in his eyes.
VALENTIN
Maybe I do.
SOFYA
Not something they'd understand,
these so called disciples of my
husband. They've never understood
a word he's written.
(beat)
What do any of them know about
love?
65 EXT. TELYATINKI COMPOUND. DAY. 65
Masha carries two water buckets suspended from a pole
across her shoulders. Arriving at a stream, she takes each
bucket and fills it. It's hot work. Pausing a moment, she
kneels to splash water on her face.
Another P.O.V. - someone watches her from the trees.
As Masha wets a cloth, puts it around her neck. Suddenly
someone grabs her from behind. She screams, wrestle her
way free. She turns to see Valentin, flushed, smiling,
excited. He steps toward her, kicks over one of the
buckets.
VALENTIN
Sorry, sorry, I'll... I didn't
mean to scare you...Are you
alright.
51.
MASHA
Fine...fine...Why did you...?
VALENTIN
I came back as soon as I could.
It was a strange day. Leo
Nikolayevich,...I love to listen
to him. I love nothing more...
He moves closer to her.
VALENTIN
But today I could hardly
concentrate.
He's very close to her, now.
VALENTIN
All I could think of was you.
Masha shakes her head, moves away from him. Begins to
gather the pole, to refill the spilled bucket. Stops her,
turns her to him.
VALENTIN
What's wrong?
MASHA
I think I've confused you. I've
confused us both.
VALENTIN
No. No. You didnīt confuse me..I
was stupid. I was afraid, but I'm
not afraid anymore.
Valentin wants to fight through the awkwardness. He tries
to kiss her. She won't have it. She pulls away.
VALENTIN
I love you, Masha!
MASHA
Maybe you could help me a little.
In silence, he gets the filled buckets balanced on the
pole. Without another word, Masha starts toward the
buildings. He doesn't know what to do. He's losing her. He
shouts.
VALENTIN
Masha...
She turns
52.
VALENTIN
Before the other night...I'd
committed the act of copulation
many times in my heart.
He has her attention now, as well as that of a number of
the disciples who look up from their work in the yard.
MASHA
Yes...
VALENTIN
I think about you all the time.
In my heart Iīve comitted the act
of copulation many times. I just
want to say...It was never like
it was with you.
Masha bursts out laughing.
MASHA
I'll wait for you, then.
As Valentin goes to catch her up, he sees Sergeyenko
watching from outside the unfinished chicken coop.
66 OMITTED 66
67 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SOFYA'S BEDROOM. MORNING. 67
Sofya wakes up. She looks relaxed, then she sniffs, sniffs
again. Out of bed, she grabs a dressing gown. Opening her
door, she spots Ivan in the hall.
SOFYA
Ivan, who's wearing that awful
perfume?
Ivan a gesture indicating an elaborate moustache. She steps
into the hall in time to see Tolstoy, Chertkov, Valentin
and Sasha disappear into the library, ducks back into her
room to avoid being seen
68 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. HALLWAY. DAY 68
Sofya approaches the door, listens. She can make out only a
few words. "Mama cannot find out", Chertkov shushing her,
whispers. We push in on Sofya's anxious face.
53.
69 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. DAY. 69
Chertkov, Sasha, Dushan, Valentin and Tolstoy sit in a
little clump by his desk. Tolstoy his head in his hands,
looks at the floor.
CHERTKOV
I hate to say it but the Countess
has become more and more
dangerous.
TOLSTOY
Not dangerous... She's concerned
for the welfare of the family.
CHERTKOV
(to Tolstoy)
And we're concerned for the
welfare of mankind.
(to Bulgakov)
Take this down.
Valentin records the conversation in his diary.
TOLSTOY
Itīs a terrible thing you ask. I
canīt do it.
70 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SOFYA'S BEDROOM. DAY. 70
Sofya, still in her dressing gown, climbs out her bedroom
window onto a narrow ledge that runs along the second
floor.
70A EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. DAY. 70A
Sofya stand on the window ledge high above the ground. She
begins to move toward the library balcony.
71 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. DAY. 71
CHERTKOV
You've been more than reasonable.
She already controls the income
from your property.
SASHA
Listen to him, papa. He has our
best interests at heart.
Tolstoy looks at Valentin, who looks at the floor.
CHERTKOV
We're speaking only of the rights
to your words, your ideas.
(MORE)
54.
CHERTKOV (cont'd)
With all love and respect, the
Countess is too interested in
making a profit from your work.
72 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SECOND STORY BALCONY. DAY. 72
Sofya moves along the narrow ledge as if it's a perfectly
normal activity.. Looking down, she sees a couple of
gawkers watching her from the lawn. She shoos them away.
73 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. DAY. 73
Valentin turns his head. Did he hear something?
TOLSTOY
She's my wife. Sheīs part of me.
We've been together now, so many
years....
Chertkov drives the point home.
CHERTKOV
But you're more than a husband
and father. She must understand
that.
The best interests of the people
are one with your own. You
belong to them.
Valentin glances up...and is shocked to see SOFYA LOOKING
IN AT THE STUDY WINDOW. She disappears.
74 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SECOND STORY BALCONY. DAY. 74
Sofya has reached the french doors. She can hear clearly
now.
TOLSTOY (O.S.)
But she won't. She'll never
understand.
HER P.O.V. a crowd of gawkers gather on the lawn below her.
One man sets up photographic equipment. She waves him away
turns back to the window.
75 OMITTED 75
76 OMITTED 76
55.
77 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. DAY. 77
Chertkov pushes his point.
CHERTKOV
She's unstable...I wonder if she
isn't ill.
DUSHAN
Itīs sadly more than possible.
SASHA
I know itīs hard for you, papa.
But we must be realistic.
We pan to the french doors to see Sofya furious face as she
listens to the betrayal.
CHERTKOV (O.S.)
Do you really think she's fit to
control the final disposition of
the will?
We pan back to the conspirators. Before Tolstoy can
respond, Sofya charges into the room. As she does, she
steps on the hem of her long dressing gown and ends up
sprawled on the floor. The conspirators just stare at her.
SOFYA
How dare you?
SASHA
What are you doing?
SOFYA
You're all plotting against me.
In my own house, too. I bear you
thirteen children. How can you
betray me like this?
(beat)
Someone help me up.
No one moves. Tolstoy slumps in his chair.
SOFYA
Give everything you've got to
him, your fat little catamite.
"What will it be, my dearest
dear, my Vladimir Grigorivich? My
wife's heart on a platter? Her
kidneys? With salt? But of
course, my dear Chertkov,
whatever pleases you. The china.
The estate. Permanent copyright
on everything I've ever written?
Anything for you, my love."
56.
Her eye falls on Dushan, who very unfortunately, has chosen
to take this down in his diary.
SOFYA
Give me that. Give it to me, you
little weasel.
She grabs the offending volume. The struggle begins.
DUSHAN
Please, Countess Sofya-
SASHA
Mama, please...
She rips the book away and after brandishing it above her
head, throws it through the open doors with a guttural,
rumbling growl. She turns on her tormentors.
SOFYA
Now...
TOLSTOY
(mumbles)
Can I not...Can I not have...
His face is red, his body rigid with anger.
SASHA
You'll kill him, Mama. That's
what you want, isn't it? You want
him to die!"
She helps him up, takes him to his bedroom. Valentin
follows.
She looks at Chertkov.
SOFYA
You! Don't think you deceive me
for one little moment! I know
exactly what you're doing. I
want to see the will. It's my
right, in the name of god.
CHERTKOV
What are you afraid of?
SOFYA
You. I'm afraid of you.
Chertkov looks at her with undisguised disgust.
CHERTKOV
The press is bloodthirsty. Had I
wished, I could've demolished you
and your family. You make it
easy.
57.
SOFYA
Tell them anything you like. Go
ahead. Ruin us.
CHERTKOV
I have too much respect for Leo
Nikolayevich. You're lucky.
SOFYA
Why can't my husband see you for
what you are?
Chertkov's face is red. He starts to speak, stops. He walks
to the door, then very deliberately.
CHERTKOV
If I had a wife like you, I would
have blown my brains out long
ago.
(beat)
Or gone to America.
He leaves the room. Sofya sinks back to the floor, a flower
wilting. She begins to weep. An Aria from Madame Butterfly
comes over
78 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. DINING ROOM. NIGHT. 78
From a record on the gramophone. The table is set for ten,
although no one is at dinner but Sofya Andreyevna and
Valentin. He is visibly uncomfortable. An awkward silence.
VALENTIN
I hope you're feeling better.
SOFYA
Do you like the opera?
VALENTIN
I took singing lessons for years.
I thought about a career in
music. The only thing I lacked,
in the end, was talent.
(beat)
I'm sorry about everything.
She smiles.
SOFYA
This aria is very beautiful.. It
is about a woman who is abandoned
by the man who loves
her...Everyone is very moved by
that...in the opera.
A long pause. The clink of soup spoons. Tolstoy enters.
He doesn't sit.
58.
TOLSTOY
Our life together has become
intolerable.
Stifling a sneeze, Valentin gets up to leave,tries to flee
the inappropriateness of all this.
SOFYA
Sit down, Valentin.
VALENTIN
Really, I'm expected at
Telyatinki.
She waves it off.
SOFYA
No, no, no. Enjoy your dinner.
We've had a disagreement. No more
than any other married couple.
TOLSTOY
I didn't come for more
recrimination. Despite good cause
for alienation between us, I have
never stopped loving you.
SOFYA
Of course...
TOLSTOY
God knows you don't make it easy.
SOFYA
Why should it be easy? I'm the
work of your life. You're the
work of mine. Its what love is.
Aside to Valentin.
SOFYA
Everything with him is hysterics
VALENTIN
I should go.
TOLSTOY
Sit down.
(beat)
So, this is what love is. Does
that surprise you, boy?
They both look at him
VALENTIN
I thought it might be quieter,
but-
59.
He sneezes violently.
TOLSTOY/SOFYA
God bless you
Tolstoy turns to Sofya.
TOLSTOY
He's right, though. If we cannot
live a decent, quiet life, if I
cannot work, if I cannot find
some peace, I shall simply go
away.
SOFYA
Go? Where?
TOLSTOY
Not to Chertkov, but I shall go.
SOFYA
Go where?
TOLSTOY
Dushan says you're killing me.
Sofya rises up in cold rage.
SOFYA
Then go! Go! Anywhere you please!
She smashes a plate on the table to punctuate it and
another and another.
SOFYA
I hate you. I hate what you've
become.
She picks up another plate, lets it fall. Now, she acts as
if she's choking or gasping for breath.
VALENTIN
Countess...Are you alright?
She fights with her collar, rips open the front of her
dress.
TOLSTOY
(shouts)
DUSHAN!!!
SOFYA
You'll destroy me.
Dushan runs into the room. Sofya continues to tear at her
clothes, stops, begins to pant, then falls to the floor in
a faint.
60.
VALENTIN
Is she alright?
Tolstoy tries to answer, but is overcome by a coughing fit.
Dushan starts toward him but Tolstoy waves him in the
direction of Sofya. He kneels beside her.
DUSHAN
Sofya! Open your eyes.
SOFYA
My back. My back... I'm hurting.
DUSHAN
You're lying on a fork. Sit up
and you'll improve
markedly...Valentin, help to get
her upstairs, would you?
Valentin helps Sofya to her feet. Dushan gets up himself
and walks to Tolstoy.
DUSHAN
She's alright. I'm more concerned
for you... We should all go to
bed before something else
happens.
79 OMITTED 79
80 EXT. TELYATINKI COMPOUND. NIGHT. 80
Valentin sits at the bonfire, with other disciples. After a
while he walks towards the house.
81 INT. TELYATINKI. KITCHEN. NIGHT. 81
It's late. The house is quiet. Valentin walks into the
kitchen to see Masha washing the dishes. Exhausted, he
sits, stares at the floor.
VALENTIN
It was terrible there today...
between them. They loved each
other so much, but you see what
it becomes.
She stays at the sink, says nothing.
VALENTIN
Masha, whatīs the matter?
She speaks without turning to him.
61.
MASHA
I'm going back to Moscow.
VALENTIN
What?
He gets up, goes to her.
MASHA
Chertkov spoke with me this
afternoon. He says I could be
more useful there...which
means...
Valentin shakes his head. His lip trembles.
VALENTIN
This is him punishing us,
punishing me for befriending
Sofya Andreyevna. For not...
This is Chertkov.
MASHA
We've both disappointed him.
VALENTIN
I don't care. You can't go away.
I'll talk to him. I'll make him
change his mind. iīm going to
make you stay.
MASHA
No, I want to go.
VALENTIN
What?
MASHA
I'm leaving the movement.
VALENTIN
You canīt leave Tolstoy.
MASHA
I am not. Look, when I read his
Confession, it moved me, Valya.
He was searching for freedom.
Freedom from anger. Freedom from
attachment. Freedom from all the
superstition and nonsense of the
church. It moved me so much. I
thought that's what it would be
about. Isn't that what it's
about? Freedom and love? But
they mix it all up.
Masha reaches out and puts her arms around him. Her head
falls against his shoulder.
62.
MASHA
Come with me. Please.
Bulgakov doesn't know what to say. The silence gets more
awkward as it gets longer. Slowly, she disengages herself
from him,looks him in the eye. She nods.
MASHA
I'm going to my room.
As she starts away.
VALENTIN
Don't leave me, Masha...
I need you.
She turns back for a moment.
MASHA
I know you do...I know.
Then she's gone.
82 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SOFYA'S BEDROOM/HALLWAY. DAY. 82
Sofya in her bed. A team of doctors hover over her. One of
them peers into her eyes with a sextant-like instrument.
We move into the hall to find DR. ROSSOLIMO, an expert in
mental illness, conferring in the hall with Tolstoy and
Dushan.
ROSSOLIMO
I believe the Countess suffers
from a mental degeneracy,
paranoic and hysterical, chiefly
the former.
DUSHAN
Yes.
The doctor walks back into the bedroom. Tolstoy red in the
face, walks away down the hall. Dushan catches him.
TOLSTOY
Why did you bring him here?
DUSHAN
He's an old friend, you know,
from Rome.
TOLSTOY
And astoundingly stupid in the
way of all scientists.
Dushan is wounded by his uncharacteristic lack of
generosity.
63.
TOLSTOY
I'm sorry, my friend, but this is
all very upsetting to me.
DUSHAN
Yes.
Tolstoy sits on a small staircase at the end of the hall.
Bulgakov is already there on the step above him.
TOLSTOY
Take them downstairs. Thank them
for me. Offer them a drink.
DUSHAN
You'll be alright?
TOLSTOY
Valentin Fedorovich will stay
with me, won't you, boy
Valentin nods. Dushan goes to collect the doctors.
MOMENTS LATER-Tolstoy goes to Sofya's bed. He takes her
hand. She looks at him with all the love of a new bride.
Tears come to his eyes. He kisses her hand.
SOFYA
Ya...your...your...I canīt
remember now...Yo, what did I
say? What did you mean?
TOLSTOY
You rest now.
Valentin watches from the doorway as Tolstoy leaves the
bedside and walks out.
83 EXT. ZASYEKA WOODS. DAY. 83
It is an autumn afternoon. Valentin and Tolstoy pick their
way through the thick undergrowth.
As they come into a clearing. Valentin is surprised to see
a portable table and several chairs set up like lawyers
office in the middle of the wood. Sergeyenko fiddles with a
piece of paper on the desk. Chertkov comes toward them.
Tolstoy stops his horse. He turns to Valentin with tears in
his eyes.
TOLSTOY
You see, I no longer feel I have
a choice in the matter. She
isn't...
He rides forward toward the approaching Chertkov.
64.
CHERTKOV
Good afternoon, Leo Nikolayevich.
TOLSTOY
Is it?
They help Tolstoy dismount. They lead him to a nearby stump
and place the writing board before him. Sergeyenko hands a
document to Chertkov who lays it on the board.
CHERTKOV
This will insure that the
complete works will live in the
public domain.
SERGEYENKO
Monumentous.
CHERTKOV
Your work is the birthright of
the Russian people. Now, they
possess it forever.
Tolstoy looks up at them.
CHERTKOV
Yes?
TOLSTOY
I need a pen.
CHERTKOV
Of course.
Chertkov looks at Sergeyenko who swallows hard. No pen.
SERGEYENKO
I...uh...
CHERTKOV
What?
Sergeyenko moves close to Chertkov, close enough to
whisper.
CHERTKOV
You're a secretary. How can you
not have a pen?
Sergeyenko points at Valentin.
SERGEYENKO
He's a secretary, too. Ask him.
CHERTKOV
Valentin Fedorovich, do you have
a pen?
65.
Valentin hesitates for a moment, looks at Tolstoy, seated
on the stump, staring into the middle distance.
VALENTIN
I do.
Valentin fetches it from his satchel.
Pen in hand, Tolstoy hovers over the document. A long
moment.
CHERTKOV
Are you alright?
TOLSTOY
I feel like a conspirator.
Sergeyenko laughs. Chertkov glares at him. It's beyond
awkward. Valentin looks to the sky, sees the crows
circling again.
Without further hesitation, Tolstoy picks up the pen and
signs the document. Then he moves away from the group.
Valentin watches him.
84 EXT. ZASYEKA WOODS. DAY. 84
Valentin and Tolstoy water their horses at a stream.
Tolstoy seems weary.
VALENTIN
Maybe we should get back. It'll
be dark soon. May I ask you
something that has nothing to do
with work?
TOLSTOY
Of course, my dear.
VALENTIN
Do you love your wife?
TOLSTOY
" Your youth and your desire for
happiness reminds me cruelly of
my age and the impossibility of
happiness for me." When I was
courting Sofya, she was so young
and pure, it seemed impossible
that I'd ever have her.
I didn't want to tell her how I
felt and I wanted to tell her
nothing else. So I wrote down a
string of letters and asked her
if she could decipher them. She
looked completely confused,
thinking it was a game or...
66.
Tolstoy looks into the middle distance, remembering his
love.
TOLSTOY
I gave her one clue. The first
two Y's, I said, stand for "your
youth" and then the most
miraculous thing happened. She
simply spoke the phrase, my
phrase...
Tolstoy looks at Valentin as if the boy might offer some
explanation of the miraculous.
TOLSTOY
...as if she had read my mind.
In that moment, we both knew we
would always be together. For
those first years, we were
incredibly happy, terrifyingly
happy.
His old eyes are wet.
TOLSTOY
And now this.
Tolstoy reaches into his boot, extracts his SECRET DIARY.
He takes a pen from his shirt, begins to write. Valentin is
amazed. HE HAD A PEN ALL THE TIME.
85 INT. TELYATINKI. MEETING ROOM. NIGHT. 85
Valentin exhausted, sits at the long table. Chertkov
appears at his office door.
CHERTKOV
Thank you again, Valentin
Fedorovich, for your forethought.
VALENTIN
I'm a secretary, after all.
Chertkov let's it go.
CHERTKOV
You know I had thought for a time
to suggest that Leo Nikolayevich
look for someone else. But...he
said no. He said "He reminds me
of myself when I was young."
He goes. After a moment, Valentin gets up and goes to the
study door.
VALENTIN
I'm leaving Telyatinki.
67.
CHERTKOV
Really.
VALENTIN
I am going to Moscow.
CHERTKOV
She is leading you around the
nose.
VALENTIN
Look, you say the movement's
about love-
CHERTKOV
Yes... The love he tells us to
practice, the love of the
Gospels. Why do I have to explain
this? Perfect love. Eternal love.
The love that binds mankind
together.
VALENTIN
But I've never met mankind, only
men and women, imperfect men,
imperfect women.
CHERTKOV
Leo Nikolayevich also teaches us
love can not be weakminded.
Go. You won't be missed ...a
naive sentimentalist
Valentin looks at him for a long moment, then bursts out
laughing, walks away
CHERTKOV
Why are you laughing? You think
I'm ridiculous.
VALENTIN
I'm laughing because I didn't
sneeze.
86 OMITTED 86
87 OMITTED 87
88 OMITTED 88
68.
89 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. TOLSTOY STUDY/BEDROOM. DAY. 89
Tolstoy has fallen asleep at his desk, his SECRET DIARY
open before him. Sofya enters without knocking. He bolts up
groggily, tries to hide the little book. Sofya, meanwhile,
holds up the letter in her hand.
SOFYA
Lyovochka? Prozeveskeny wants to
purchase the rights to your work
after your death.
TOLSTOY
Then I shall try and die as soon
as is convenient.
SOFYA
Don't be silly. They've offered
one million rubles.
Silence.
SOFYA
How can you not be pleased?
TOLSTOY
I don't write for publishers. I
write for people.
He gets up from his desk.
SOFYA
Where are you going?
TOLSTOY
Valentin's in the library. He's
asked to speak to me.
SOFYA
Splendid...while your wretched
family is left to starve.
TOLSTOY
I don't see anyone starving in
this house. On the contrary, our
privilege revolts me.
He goes. She calls after him.
SOFYA
But you're always first to the
trough...always have been.
Sofya sinks into his chair. On the desk is the photograph
of herself and Tolstoy that we saw her hang on the wall in
the early part of the film. She looks at the wall. There
in it's place is the offending photograph of CHERTKOV that
she had removed earlier.
69.
She can fix that. But as she picks up the photo of her and
her husband, she notices A SMALL VOLUME, THE SECRET DIARY,
lying under it. She begins to read.
90 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. DAY. 90
Valentin waits on the sofa. Tolstoy walks in, goes to him.
TOLSTOY
What is it, dear boy? You look
unhappy. What do you want to
say?
But before Valentin can respond A GUNSHOT RINGS OUT.
91 OMITTED 91
92 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. TOLSTOY BEDROOM/STUDY. DAY. 92
Sofya sits in a chair, firing shot after shot at the
photograph of Chertkov. Tolstoy and Valentin enter.
TOLSTOY
Sofya, what are you doing?
She turns toward him, waves the gun in his direction.
Valentin ducks against the wall.
SOFYA
How could you do this to me?
TOLSTOY
You're not well.
SOFYA
You hurt me again and again. You
take little pieces of me until I
become nothing. I don't know who
I am anymore.
(beat)
I read your diary. I know what
you've done.
TOLSTOY
You behave like this, I have no
choice. Now give me the gun.
SOFYA
No! Give me the gun!
TOLSTOY
Give it to me, please.
70.
Sofya throws the gun at her husband. She runs out of the
room. We see the shattered photograph of Chertkov.
After a moment, Tolstoy into his chair. Valentin watches
him in silence.
TOLSTOY
I'd like you to stay here
tonight.
VALENTIN
Yes, of course.
With that, the old man gets up and leaves the room, leaving
Valentin in the wreckage of his world.
93 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. NIGHT. 93
The wind blows the trees around the old house. We see a
lighted lamp move up the stairs.
94 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. NIGHT. 94
Valentin in his makeshift bed.
SASHA (O.S.)
Valentin. Valentin.
He is immediately awake. Sasha, lamp in hand, crouches
beside him.
SASHA
Get up. He's leaving.
VALENTIN
What?
SASHA
Heīs leaving.
95 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. TOLSTOY'S BEDROOM/STUDY. NIGHT. 95
Bags are being prepared. Sasha is packing clothes.
TOLSTOY
Essentials only. Nothing that
isn't absolutely necessary.
Valentin struggles to close a case full of books and
papers.
TOLSTOY
Please...we must hurry.
71.
VALENTIN
Where will you go?
No one responds. Dushan comes to Tolstoy, sits down and
begins the ritual taking of the pulse. Meanwhile, Sasha
wraps a heavy fur coat around his shoulders. She smiles at
him.
SASHA
Absolutely essential.
DUSHAN
A lantern, I think. It's very
dark tonight.
(beat)
And the apparatus for giving an
enema.
96 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. NIGHT. 96
The horses are hitched to the droshky, the bags are up on
the back.
SASHA
Everything's ready.
Dushan climbs into the carriage. Tolstoy turns abruptly and
walks back toward the house.
SASHA
Papa...?
DUSHAN
He's changed his mind. He's going
back to the house.
They watch as Tolstoy kneels on the wet grass, bending low
to rub his hands against the earth. After a moment,
Valentin goes to him, kneels next to him.
VALENTIN
Do you want to go back?
TOLSTOY
When I was a boy, my brother
Nikolai once brought me to a
place when I was a boy. He told
me he'd found a green stick with
some words on it... the secret to
happiness for all men everywhere.
He hid it in the ground. I looked
for it very often. I've looked
for it all these years. I really
believed I would find it
here...but I never did.
72.
Tolstoy looks at him.
TOLSTOY
I never did...but this life is
behind me now.
He kisses the ground of his beloved home, gets up and they
walk back to the droshky.
TOLSTOY
Help me up, will you?
As they go, he hands Valentin an envelope.
TOLSTOY
Give this to Sofya.
VALENTIN
I will.
They reach the carriage. Sasha embraces him, kisses him
over and over.
SASHA
Be well. Be well.
TOLSTOY
Don't cry. I'll send for you when
I can.
They help him up onto the droshky and the carriage starts
slowly away from the old house.
97 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. MORNING 97
Out in front of the house, an old peasant woman pulls the
feathers off a chicken. Over her impassive face, we hear
deep, heavy sobs.
98 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SITTING ROOM. DAY. 98
Sofya is in a rage. Sasha sits nearby.
SASHA
I'm simply telling you what
happened. He's gone. I have no
idea where. Nobody does.
SOFYA
You're a liar.
(beat)
Liar!
Sasha won't rise to the bait.
Valentin comes into the room.
73.
SOFYA
So, he's gone.
(to Bulgakov)
For good.
VALENTIN
I think so, yes.
There is a pause. Sofya suddenly smiles, becomes
solicitous.
SOFY
Darling Sasha, where is your
father? I know you know. Please,
please. Don't play games with me.
Now itīs not the moment.
SASHA
Honestly, I have no idea.
SOFYA
DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME.
VALENTIN
I have this for you.
It is a letter. She grabs it, as if it is something that
might feed a terrible hunger at the center of her. Moving
into a corner, she tears it open and begins to read.
They both watch Sofya's passion. Her face quivers, the
muscles in her neck stand out. Her shoulders begin to
shake.
Crumbling the paper in her hand, she twists her head and
screams. Then, gathering up her dress, she runs out the
door.
Sasha move immediately to the window. From her P.O.V., we
see Sofya streaking across the lawn.
They look at each other
SASHA
The pond!
They run out.
99 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. DAY. 99
Sofya sprints away from the house and into the trees. A
couple of servants join the chase, Ivan and VANYA, a fat
manservant. Valentin, head of the group, sees Sofya move
out of the birches. She's heading straight to the pond.
74.
Sasha suddenly steams past him.
SASHA
Mama, Mama! Stop. Not this.
Hurry! Hurry!
VALENTIN
Countess!
100 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. POND. DAY 100
Sofya has reached the bathhouse. Peasant women watch her as
they do their wash. She glances back her pursuers, races
on.
Tiring now, she goes to her knees. She crawls along the
jetty toward the water. At the edge of the jetty, she
falls on her back then turns over, most ungracefully, and
rolls off sideways into the pond.
HIGH ANGLE. Sofya sinks into the black water. The sound of
her rescuers fades away and is replaced by Tolstoy's voice,
reading the farewell note she still clutches in her hand.
TOLSTOY (V.O.)
My position in the house has
become intolerable. What I'm
doing now is what people have
commonly done - leave their
worldly life behind to spend
their last days in peace and
solitude.
SLOW MOTION She floats, strangely relaxed, beneath the
water.
TOLSTOY (V.O.)
I beg you to forgive me for
everything I've done to you, just
as I forgive you with all my soul
for everything you've done to me.
The silence is suddenly ripped apart by the rescuers. Sasha
and Valentin jumping into the pond. Sasha, barely able to
swim herself, thrashes in the water.
VALENTIN
Sasha, go back to the jetty.
Here, let me help you.
He offers his arm, using it to push her to safety.
SASHA
No! She's drowning. Help her!
75.
VALENTIN
I will. I will. Stay here.
With that, he pushes away from the dock and makes a sharp
plunge under the water.
Sasha watches, waits...and after a long moment Valentin
surfaces pulling Sofya with him.
On the dock, the servants and Sasha help him to get her
heavy body , water soaked dress, back onto the bank.
She looks terrible. Her tongue lolling out, water drizzling
from her open mouth. Sasha is overcome.
SASHA
She's dead. My mother. She's
dead.
Ivan takes action. He rolls her on to her stomach, works to
expel water from her lungs. This goes on for an agonizing
length of time. Valentin looks to the sky... dull and gray.
Then a sound, coughing sputtering. She is alive. Sasha,
Valentin, and the servants help up.
SASHA
Let me take you to the house,
mother.
SOFYA
Let me die. Please. Why would
you rob me of that?
SASHA
Let's go to the house.
Sofya is suddenly clear, almost calm.
SOFYA
Ivan, go to the station. Find out
which train the master took.
Ivan looks at Sasha for approval.
SASHA
I see no harm in it. Let's get
her to bed.
Valentin nods. Ivan appears beside him.
IVAN
Life returns to torture her for
awhile.
He laughs out loud,then walks away.
76.
101 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. DINING ROOM. DAY. 101
Sasha walks into dining room. Valentin pours them tea.
SASHA
She's exhausted herself. She's
slept for nearly four hours.
VALENTIN
I'm glad she can sleep. The pain
subsides a little.
SASHA
The noise subsides a little.
They smile at each other.
SASHA
Well, a little.
Ivan comes down the stairs. He stops in the doorway.
SASHA
Come in.
IVAN
A message, miss.
SASHA
For me?
IVAN
No, for your father. From the
Countess, miss.
SASHA
She's allowed to send a note to
my father. I just don't know
where to tell her to send it.
IVAN
She's addressed it to train
number 9. That's the train the
master took. The station master
told me...
SASHA
Why are you giving it to me? She
is allowed to send my father a
note!
Ivan steps forward and hands her the note to inspect. Sasha
can't help but laugh.
SASHA
She never gives up.
(reading the note)
"Dearest papa. Return at once.
(MORE)
77.
SASHA (cont'd)
Sasha." She signed it with my
name.
VALENTIN
Ingenious.
SASHA
Obvious.
She pockets the note. Ivan continues to stand there. Sasha
looks at him.
SASHA
Yes?
IVAN
He gave me this as well...the
stationmaster. A note for you.
Sasha opens it, reads. She looks up, flushed with
excitement.
SASHA
He's with my aunt. At the
Shamardino.
Sasha runs out of the room.
102 EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA. GROUNDS. DAY 102
Sasha, on horse back, rides up and by the camera and away
down the alley of trees that lead away from the house.
SOFYA (O.S.)
They've all gone
103 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. DAY. 103
Sitting at his desk, Valentin looks up to see Sofya
standing in the doorway. She looks exhausted.
VALENTIN
I'm here.
She walks to his desk.
SOFYA
You're writing to your girl.
That's lovely.
Sofya touches his shoulder with real affection, then walks
across the room to her husband's desk.
VALENTIN
I don't know if she's my girl.
78.
SOFYA
But you believe you'll see her
again.
VALENTIN
I very much hope so.
SOFYA
Yes. Refuse to believe in the end
of love. Do all you can to
prevent it...
Sofya picks up a photograph of the two of them, examines
it.
SOFYA
I know you know where he is,
Valentin.
Valentin hesitates. She walks back to him.
SOFYA
I won't ask you to betray his
trust...but I need you to go to
him. I do. I have to see him. I
have to talk to him. I won't
make a scene. Promise him that. I
must see him.
103A OMITTED 103A
104 OMITTED 104
105 OMITTED 105
106 OMITTED 106
107 OMITTED 107
108 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE. DAWN 108
Clouds of steam against the white sky. A great black train
travels through the bleak world
109 INT. THIRD CLASS CARRIAGE. DAY. 109
Tolstoy rests on the hard bench of the third class carriage
he always insists on. He writes on his lapboard. We pan to
an adjacent bench to find VALENTIN, now with them. He and
Sasha have a map spread out in front of them.
79.
SASHA
He's right, you know, to go. She
will be right behind us.
VALENTIN
Iīve told you she has promised
she wouldnīt make any problems.
But besides, where are we going?
Tolstoy has overheard them.
TOLSTOY
We don't need a plan, my dears,
we'll simply go
Dushan appears with several newspapers. As he hands them
the papers, he reads the HEADLINES.
DUSHAN
TOLSTOY ABANDONS HOME!
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN...SAGE OF
YASNAYA POLYANA TAKES FLIGHT!
Tolstoy looks up from the papers, smiles.
TOLSTOY
I guess our little secret is out.
110 OMITTED 110
111 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SITTING ROOM. DAY 111
Sofya sits surrounded by the papers. Andrey appears.
ANDREY
There's a reporter outside from
the Russian World.
SOFYA
Tell him we've received an
apologetic letter from your
father..very embarrassed. We
expect him back any day...
ANDREY
But that's a lie, right?
SOFYA
Yes, that's a lie.
112 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE. DAY 112
The huge iron wheels grind on.
80.
113 INT. THIRD CLASS TRAIN CARRIAGE. DAY 113
Tolstoy sleeps. People still crowd around him.
VALENTIN
Please move back. Please let him
breath. Please give him some
room.
SASHA
(to Valentin)
He canīt breath. Valentin,
please.
(to Dushan)
The smoke is too much.
DUSHAN
I know. Stay back.
Tolstoy stirs.
TOLSTOY
Where are we?
DUSHAN
It's alright. Everything's fine.
He reaches out to touch Tolstoy's forehead. He goes pale.
TOLSTOY
Where are we?
DUSHAN
Let me take your temperature.
The old man lifts his shirt, takes the thermometer under
his arm. Dushan reaches for his wrist. Valentin and Sasha
look at each other, wait for the vital signs. He takes the
thermometer from Tolstoy, reads it.
He's clearly shaken.
TOLSTOY
Good old Dushan,...you needn't
worry. Remember, you are my
doctor, not my angel. Whatever
happens, it's not your fault...
I'm feeling much better now. I
just need to sleep.
DUSHAN
Good, good. Yes.
He drifts off again, Dushan stares at the thermometer. His
eyes fill with tears.
81.
DUSHAN
He will be fine.
114 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY 114
The train pulls into a small, dusty station, ASTAPOVO.
Valentin and Dushan support, help him off the train. Sasha
looks at the sad, empty platform.
SASHA
We've come to the end of the
world.
115 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY. 115
Dushan and Tolstoy sit on a bench on the platform. Sasha
and Valentin appear.
VALENTIN
The stationmaster says we may
have his house for as long as we
need it. There are no inns
nearby, so we're lucky.
TOLSTOY
Very lucky.
DUSHAN
Yes.
They help Tolstoy up. A little bearded man, the station
master, waits to escort them.
SASHA
You'll be comfortable here, papa.
The rest of us...we'll find cots
or sleep in the station.
TOLSTOY
And then we'll be on our way.
116 OMITTED 116
117 OMITTED 117
118 INT. ASTAPOVO. TELEGRAPH OFFICE. NIGHT. 118
Valentin approaches the operator.
VALENTIN
Hello, hello? Could you send a
cable for me?
82.
119 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. LIBRARY. NIGHT 119
A message comes over the cable machine.
VALENTIN (O.S.)
Tolstoy ill at Astapovo.
Temperature high. Send it to
Sofya Andreyevna, Yasnaya
Polyana.
120 INT. YASNAYA POLYANA. SITTING ROOM. NIGHT. 120
Sofya paces. Andrey lolls on the couch reading the paper.
SOFYA
We must leave at once.
ANDREY
We'll make inquiries in the
morning, mother.
SOFYA
We'll rent a train.
ANDREY
That'll cost a fortune.
SOFYA
Don't say irrelevant things,
Andrey. It's unbecoming.
Contact someone. I'll go and
pack.
ANDREY
Rent a train? God!
121 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY. 121
Press and various hangers on have begun to arrive at
Astapovo. Outside the station master's house, Dushan gives
an update, temperature, pulse.
Valentin emerges from the telegraph office, telegrams and
cables in his hands. A long passenger train pulls in from
the north. There's general commotion at the new arrival.
"The Countess." "Is it the Countess?"... More press, a
cinematographer lugging his gear and CHERTKOV. He spots
Valentin. There is no greeting, no embrace.
CHERTKOV
Bulgakov! Where is he? Take me
to him.
As they make their way across the tracks, Chertkov can
barely contain his glee.
83.
CHERTKOV
He left...astonishing...He
actually, finally left.
VALENTIN
He wasn't well enough to travel.
It's very cold.
Chertkov doesn't hear, He's basking in his victory.
CHERTKOV
It's a triumph for the movement.
122 INT. ASTAPOVO. STATIONMASTER'S HOUSE. DAY. 122
Valentin leads Chertkov through the door. Chertkov stops
short, whispers
CHERTKOV
He looks so small.
Now, Tolstoy sees him, wakes up, smiles.
SASHA
Papa.
TOLSTOY
It's(hic)you.
The men embrace. Tears roll down the both men's cheeks.
Tolstoy continues to hiccup throughout.
CHERTKOV
My dear friend, waht is all of
this?
TOLSTOY
I needed (hic) to see you. Thank
you. We have so much (hic) to
do. (hic) Iīm sorry. Damn hic
ups.
(beat)
Have you seen Sofya?
CHERTKOV
I've made a point not to.
TOLSTOY
I don't know when (hic) she'll
come. But she'll come (hic). I
know it.
CHERTKOV
And we'll be ready.
VALENTIN
Ready for what?
84.
Chertkov doesn't respond.
DUSHAN
I'm sorry, but it's time for your
enema.
TOLSTOY
Don't apologize, my friend. Your
enemas(hic)have become the news
of the world.
(smiles)
Now, all of you, help turn me
over.
123 INT. ASTAPOVO. STATIONMASTER'S HOUSE. NIGHT. 123
Everyone is asleep. Valentin keeps a vigil at Tolstoy's
bedside. His rest is fitful, his breathing ragged. Valentin
stands and walks out.
124 INT. ASTAPOVO. TELEGRAPH OFFICE. NIGHT. 124
Valentin approaches the little window.
VALENTIN
I'd like to send another cable.
The man nods, readies his pencil.
VALENTIN
At Astapovo. Stop. Tolstoy Ill.
Stop. Heart breaking. Stop.
Please Come.... That's it.
The man looks to him for an address.
VALENTIN
It goes to Masha...to Maria
Filipovna Melinov, Moscow. Thank
you.
125 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY. 125
The media circus is in town. There are snack bars and huts,
an army camp with typewriters instead of guns. Several news
cameras are set up near the stationmaster's house. Tents
have been erected as make shift shelters and offices.
Reporters struggle to get into the telegraph office. Word
goes around something big is happening.
At the platform, we see the highly polished private train
pull in. The Countess has arrived.
85.
SOFYA APPEARS in her handsome traveling clothes. An
unctuous little orthodox priest follows her out of the
train.
ORTHODOX PRIEST
If the Count should have a change
of heart...if in the last moment
he chooses to confess, mother
church is there to embrace him
with open arms.
She nods.
SOFYA
I'll see what I can do, father.
She moves with purpose across the tracks and through the
throng Reporters pelt her with questions.
126 INT. ASTAPOVO. STATIONMASTER'S HOUSE. DAY. 126
Chertkov, Sasha and Valentin watch through the window.
SASHA
She's coming this way.
Chertkov starts to put on his coat.
CHERTKOV
Not before she stops to tell them
lies, catalogue my atrocities.
VALENTIN
Let me speak to her.
He heads toward the door.
127 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY 127
Sofya has reached the edge of the platform where DUSHAN
gives his medical update, temperature and pulse, to the
press. She pulls Dushan aside. Reporters surround them.
SOFYA
I want to see my husband.
DUSHAN
Yes I'll...uhm...
SOFYA
I want to see him. Now!
Dushan is terrified. Valentin arrives at the platform.
VALENTIN
Countess!
86.
SOFYA
Valentin...Will you help me? I
have to see him. Please.
VALENTIN
Of course. But I'm not certain if
itīs the best time, Countess.
She starts toward the building.
SOFYA
It is. It's the right time for
me.
VALENTIN
Sofya Andreyevna...
(to the crowd) Stay back, stay
back.
128 EXT. ASTAPOVO. STATIONMASTER'S HOUSE. DAY 128
As Valentin arrives outside the door, he see Sofya
physically recoil. She is confronted by Chertkov and Sasha
blocking the door.
SOFYA
I want to see my husband.
Members of the press, crowd `round trying to listen.
SASHA
He's too weak now, mother.
SOFYA
But he's not too weak to see you.
Not too weak to see that...
She gestures in Chertkov's direction. The passion attracts
more onlookers.
CHERTKOV
Do you really want to do this
here?
She does her best to ignore him.
SOFYA
I am the leper outside the gate,
while he sleeps with the devil
himself.
SASHA
Vladimir Gregorovich is here
because father asked him to be
here.
87.
This stops Sofya for a moment. She looks to Valentin.
SOFYA
Is that true?
Valentin nods. She tries another tack.
SOFYA
Have you told him I nearly
drowned in the pond?
SASHA
We didn't have to. It was in all
the papers.
Valentin is very aware of the publicness of it all.
VALENTIN
Let me take you back.
But she plows on.
SOFYA
What did he say?
SASHA
That if you killed yourself, he'd
be upset.
SOFYA
He'd be upset?
SASHA
Horribly upset...but he could not
have acted other than he did.
Sofya begins to sob.
SOFYA
I want to see him.
(beat)
He's not your husband. He's my
husband.
SASHA
You're unbearable.
Sasha goes back toward the door.
SOFYA
And you are a stone-hearted bitch
of a daughter.
Sasha disappears back inside. Sofya screams after her.
88.
SOFYA
I lost five children. Why
couldn't one of them have been
you?
Chertkov watches, makes little attempt to conceal his
pleasure.
CHERTKOV
Are you finished?
A pause. Sofya is suddenly aware of the crowd around her.
SOFYA
Valentin, will you take me back?
Valentin nods.
VALENTIN
Yes, of course.
Sofya takes his arm, starts back across the platform.
Shaken, she tries her best to maintain her dignity as she
walks through the crowd. She leans against Valentin,
whispers.
SOFYA
I've behaved badly, haven't I?
VALENTIN
No, Countess, Don't worry. Not at
all.
Around her, journalists ask questions, photographers call
out "Turn to us, Countess." "Show us your eyes."
129 OMITTED 129
130 INT. ASTAPOVO. PRIVATE TRAIN. DAWN. 130
Valentin, in his wrinkled suit, is asleep in a chair. He
wakes to see Sofya stretched out on the sofa. He watches
her. She doesn't stir. After a moment, he goes out.
131 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY 131
Valentin emerges from the telegraph office. He walks along
the platform, a stack of letter and telegrams in his hands.
A few reporters type their early morning dispatches.
132 OMITTED 132
133 OMITTED 133
89.
134 INT. ASTAPOVO. STATIONMASTER'S HOUSE. DAY. 134
Valentin comes into the room, acknowledges Chertkov who
sits at his makeshift desk going through letters and
cables. He goes to the bedside, stops next to Dushan.
Silence, interrupted only by Tolstoy's incessant hiccups.
Valentin notices Dushan is on the verge of tears.
VALENTIN
What is it? Dushan, whatīs wrong?
DUSHAN
Listen to him. I'm supposed to
be a doctor, for God's sake.
Weak, feverish, Tolstoy sits up in bed. Sasha moves to
help him.
TOLSTOY
Sofya!
DUSHAN
What is it? What is it?
Valentin goes to Tolstoy. He's in a kind of panic. Chertkov
comes into the room.
TOLSTOY
She's come, hasn't she? She`s
here.
He points to the corner. But it is nothing, a gray shape
thrown by a coat rack.
CHERTKOV
You're imagining things.
DUSHAN
It's true, Leo Nikolayevich.
TOLSTOY
Sasha...where's your mother?
Tolstoy's eyes fill with tears. Valentin looks to Sasha.
She looks from him to Chertkov.
CHERTKOV
She's at home.
TOLSTOY
If she wanted to see me I
couldn't refuse her.
(beat)
Is she going to come here?
All eyes are on Sasha.
90.
SASHA
I don't think so...I don't know,
Papa. There's no way to...
TOLSTOY
To what?
Will she waiver? A long, agonizing beat.
SASHA
She's at home. I'm sure of it.
Valentin looks at the floor.
TOLSTOY
At home.
SASHA
Yes, Papa.
Tolstoy nods, pats Sasha's hand.
TOLSTOY
Very beautiful isn't it?
SASHA
Our home?
TOLSTOY
Yes.
He leans back against the pillow and drifts again. Sasha
gets up and goes outside. After a moment, Valentin
follows.
135 EXT. ASTAPOVO. STATION MASTER'S HOUSE. DAY 135
Valentin sees her leaning against the wall. She's in pain.
SASHA
He said to me once..."you're like
your mother. You're so full of
anger."
She turns to him.
SASHA
I know it's terrible...but who
will protect him? I don't want
him to die.
Valentin touches her face, goes back inside and into
91.
136 INT. ASTAPOVO. STATION MASTER'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM. DAY. 136
Where Chertkov has made a makeshift office. He pores
through the cables, letters and telegrams that litter the
station master's dining table. He holds one up for
Valentin.
CHERTKOV
Kind thoughts from George Bernard
Shaw.
Valentin walks to the table.
VALENTIN
You lied to him.
CHERTKOV
Keep your voice down.
VALENTIN
He wants to see her. You heard
him say it.
CHERTKOV
What exactly do you think she
will bring him?
VALENTIN
I donīt know, theyīve been
married for 48 years.
CHERTKOV
Iīll tell you what sheīll
bring...Vanity, fuss and noise.
VALENTIN
She promised me-
CHERTKOV
What? Promised you what? Youīve
seen her at close quarters, boy.
You think sheīs capable of
restraining herself?
VALENTIN
They have a whole life togehter.
Why do you have to deny that?
CHERTKOV
You're a victim of her romantic
nonsense. You seem to forget she
wants to destroy everything we
do. She travels with that
unctious little priest.
VALENTIN
Keep the priest away-
92.
CHERTKOV
These people are vultures. They
send in at the last moment and
welcome him back to the church.
That's their fantasy.
(beat)
A death bed recantation. Do you
have any idea the damage it would
do? Everything he's dreamed of,
everything we've worked for will
be gone. A simple noble death is
what we want. It is what he
wants.
VALENTIN
No, you want an icon. You want to
take photographs and give out
postcards..You want people to
kneel in front of an image youīve
created. But he doesnīt wanted
that. He never wanted that, and
it will give him no peace.
(beat)
He wants to see her...let her
come.
They see Sasha looking from the door. She turns and closes
it.
CHERTKOV
I will do everything in my power
to prevent that.
VALENTIN
Oh, God. You exhaust me.
CHERTKOV
I used to think you were just
naive, Valentin, maybe a little
stupid. I see now you're more
dangerous than she is.
He turns back at the door.
VALENTIN
Tell me one thing. That image you
want to create, just looks like
you, doesnīt it?
Valentin leaves the room.
137 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. NIGHT. 137
The circus sleeps. Valentin sits on a bench outside the
station master's house. The tents erected by the press
glow like lanterns in the field.
93.
Some people lie on the hard platform. He looks across the
tracks at Sofya's private car. A single light burns in the
window
138 INT. ASTAPOVO. PRIVATE TRAIN CARRIAGE. NIGHT. 138
Sofya keeps her solitary vigil. The priest has fallen
asleep sitting up. She finishes her prayers, gets up,
looks across at the lonely cottage. She can make out
Valentin's figure on the platform.
139 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM.NIGHT 139
Dushan appears in the doorway. Solemn, he gestures for him
to come inside. Valentin stands.
140 INT. ASTAPOVO. PRIVATE TRAIN CARRIAGE. NIGHT. 140
Sofya watches the two figures disappear inside.
141 INT. ASTAPOVO. STATIONMASTER'S HOUSE. NIGHT. 141
Valentin sees Chertkov standing near the bed. Dushan
returns to the chair next to Tolstoy. His cheeks are damp,
his breathing irregular.
SASHA
It can't be right. His fever is
down.
DUSHAN
His pulse, you see...
Dushan begins to cry. Suddenly, Tolstoy becomes lucid.
TOLSTOY
Sofya...my dear Sofya. So much
has (hic) fallen to her.
Everyone moves nearer the bed. Tolstoy looks at Valentin.
TOLSTOY
Who's going to look after her?
(beat)
Someone needs to look after her.
There is a long pause. Sasha looks at Valentin.
SASHA
Shall I call her?
TOLSTOY
This is it(hic). The end.
94.
He seems to smile.
SASHA
Do you want to see her, papa?
TOLSTOY
Sasha, Sasha..
It's(hic)nothing...Nothing.
He falls onto his pillow, asleep.
CHERTKOV
It's almost over.
Sasha looks at him, shakes her head.
SASHA
I can't do this anymore.
CHERTKOV
He wonīt know who she is anyway.
142 INT. ASTAPOVO. TRAIN CARRIAGE. NIGHT. 142
Everyone sleeps but Sofya. There is a knock on the door.
Sofya opens it. It is Sasha. A pause.
SOFYA
Has he asked for me?
SASHA
I want you to come. Take a coat.
It's cold.
143 EXT. ASTAPOVO. STATIONMASTER'S HOUSE. NIGHT. 143
Sofya and Sasha walk to the door. The reporter calls out
REPORTER
Countess...Countess...Do you have
any information? Countess...Is he
dying? Is he dead?
Sasha takes her mother's hand.
144 INT. ASTAPOVO. STATIONMASTER'S HOUSE. NIGHT. 144
She steps into the room. For a moment, she seems
overwhelmed at the sight of him. She looks at Valentin, who
nods at her as if to say go on. Sofya walks past Chertkov
without acknowledging him. Dushan lets go his hold of
Tolstoy's wrist and gets out of the chair, out of her way.
She approaches her sleeping, husband, the love of her life,
her cross, her everything.
95.
SOFYA
Lyovochka!
There is no response. She throws her arms around him.
SOFYA
Please forgive me, my darling!
SASHA
Mother...
SOFYA
I'm a fool.. I'm a selfish woman.
But I love you. Please believe
me. Please understand me. Please
forgive me for all my weakness
and badness. Please! Please! Love
me!
SASHA
Mother!
Sasha takes her hand, whispers.
SASHA
Control yourself.
SOFYA
Was I shouting?
SASHA
You have to control yourself.
Sofya looks around and sits back. Strangely, she does
control herself. She becomes very still. She takes her
husband's hand, begins quietly to speak to him.
SOFYA
You don't speak, but I hear you.
She carries on two sides of an impossible conversation.
SOFYA
"Do you love me, Lyovochka."
(beat)
"Never stopped, my little bird."
(beat)
"And you will never stop"
(beat)
"Never."
(beat)
"Nor ever leave me again."
(beat)
"Never, ever again.
(beat)
"Good...good... let's go home"
96.
She sits very still holding her husband's hand. Then, it
seems she feels the slightest of movements, the slightest
squeeze of her hand. She looks down to see Tolstoy open his
eyes. He looks at her for a moment, the hint of a smile,
then closes his eyes again.
Valentin sees it, glances at Sasha. Then, he begins to
fight for breath.
DUSHAN
First cessation.
A general sense of panic at the proximity of death. Tolstoy
fights for a last breath.
DUSHAN
Second cessation.
Sofya whispers quietly to her dying husband.
SOFYA
Please forgive me if I cry a
little now.
Tolstoy continues to struggle, then silence, silence.
Sasha starts to sob. Sofya reaches out to her daughter.
Sasha comes to her mother who holds her.
She feels someone next to her. She looks up. It's
Chertkov.
CHERTKOV
I am sorry, Sofya Andreyevna.
The most unlikely thing, she pats his hand.
SOFYA
It's alright. What happens from
now on... it will never really
matter. Not really. Everything's
finished.
Chertkov sits beside them. She turns to Dushan.
SOFYA
Dushan, could you tell them your
great friend is gone?
DUSHAN
Yes.
He nods, walk out into the dawn light to tell the world Leo
Tolstoy is dead.
97.
145 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY 145
A sizeable crowd has assembled, the usual reporters,
photographers, cinematographers, but students, too, and
soldiers, factory workers, housewives.
Dushan faces the crowd. Quiet. Quiet.
DUSHAN
At ten minutes after six in the
morning, a great soul passed from
our world. Leo Nikoleyevich
Tolstoy is dead.
As Dushan finishes his tribute, a single voice begins to
sing the old Russian hymn, Eternal Memory. Gradually, more
and more of the crowd picks it up. Valentin begins to sing.
His eyes run over the crowd of mourners. Then, something
stops the flow of his gaze. His eyes fill with tears.
VALENTIN
Masha...
Masha. She walks slowly toward him out of the crowd. He
goes to her, takes her in a long embrace.
VALENTIN
Masha...Masha...I'm so sorry he's
gone. Heīs gone.
MASHA
Yes. Yes. I know, but I came for
you, Valya. I came for you, too.
VALENTIN
I love you. I do. I love you.
MASHA
Then, hold me. Hold me. Hold me.
The song, the voices swell around them. They hold each
other like they will never let go.
146 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY. 146
A black draped funeral train waits in the station. Many
mourners are congregated on the platform. Chertkov comes
out of the little house, followed by Andrey, Valentin and
Dushan carrying Tolstoy's coffin to the train.
Sofya appears with Sasha, who escorts her through the
crowd. The Orthodox priest approaches .
98.
ORTHODOX PRIEST
As a daughter of the church, I'm
sure you wouldn't object to my
saying a few words at the
funeral.
Sofya stares at him for a long moment.
SOFYA
My husband needs no
justification. Besides, itīs been
enough talking as it is. Thank
you, father.
She climbs onto the train.
147 INT. ASTAPOVO. PRIVATE CARRIAGE. DAY. 147
Sofya settles into the comfort of the private car. She sits
next to Sasha. Andrey and Dushan are near her. There's a
noise from outside.
VOICE (O.S.)
Countess...Countess.
She looks out. Below the train window, Valentin and Masha
stand hand in hand. She gets up and opens the window.
148 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY. 148
VALENTIN
Excuse me, Countess. This may
not be the time, but-
Sofya smiles
SOFYA
Valentin... and who's this...
VALENTIN
Masha...this is Masha.
Sofya nods.
SOFYA
This is your girl. Good. Good.
Is there anything I can do for
you?
VALENTIN
No, no. Not at all. I just wanted
to say good bye.
SOFYA
Yes...Good bye, good bye. God
bless you.
99.
VALENTIN
God bless you, too.
149 INT. ASTAPOVO. PRIVATE TRAIN. DAY 149
Sofya sits back down with Sasha. They hold hands.
SOFYA
Well, I'm ready to go now.
(to Andrey)
Why arenīt we moving? Can't
someone make it move?
But at that moment, the train begins to move.
SOFYA
Oh!
150 EXT. ASTAPOVO. PLATFORM. DAY. 150
Sofya looks out the window, sees the people lined up along
the rail, mourn her loss. As she looks away, we see the
people reflected in the glass, some of them kneel, some of
them remove their hats.
Valentin watches the train pull away. He holds Masha to
him.
As the train moves slowly through the corridor of mourners,
some of them fall in and walk behind it. The camera travels
up and up as the train travels north taking Sofya and her
husband back to Yasnaya Polyana.
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