Silence of the Lambs - Deleted Intro Scene

Storyboarded sequence of the live-action move, Silence of the Lambs. This was original introduction scene that was scripted, but later thrown out in the production stages.

Transcript

1. Dialog Action Notes A woman's face BACKS INTO SHOT, her head resting against grimy wallpaper. She is tense, sweaty, wide-eyed with concentration.
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3. Dialog Action Notes A revolver, clutched in her right hand,hovers by her ear. She raises a speedloader, in her left hand, locks it into her cylinder, twists and reloads.
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7. Dialog Action Notes A guest room door, with a small, wired pack attached to its knob.
8. Dialog Action Notes Suddenly, wish a sharp CRACK!, the knob explodes, and the door bursts open.
9. Dialog Action Notes She runs around a corner, through a cloud of smoke. She shoulders aside the shattered door and rushes inside, gun at the ready in both hands...
10. Dialog Clarice: Freeze! FBI! Action Notes
11. Dialog Action Notes She first sees, a female hostage sitting on the edge of a bed.
12. Dialog Action Notes Then, SWIVELLING... she sees a startled MALE SUSPECT, white, mid-20's, standing by a window with a rifle in his hands.
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14. Dialog Action Notes The suspects hands are taped to his gun, away from the trigger; he couldn't use it even if he tried.
15. Dialog Action Notes Suddenly we hear a metallic CLICK, which registers with unnatural amplification.
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18. Dialog Action Notes The hostage pulls a revolver out from behind her back, still in SLOW MOTION, raising it in her untied hands. She fires repeatedly, flames leaping from the muzzle; the SOUND is an echoing roar in these close quarters,
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21. Dialog Action Notes Clarice has come up on one knee, beside an armchair, and is already firing back herself, two quick SHOTS, which send the hostage pitching over the bed.
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24. Dialog Action Notes Clarice rushes to her, clamping one knee down on her gun hand, still keeping her covered in case of movement.
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26. Dialog Action Notes Then we hear the shrill blast of a WHISTLE from somewhere, off screen, as normal ACTION and SOUND are restored. Clarice relaxes, lowering her gun.
27. Dialog Brigham: Okay, people, good exercise... Action Notes
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29. Dialog Ardelia: Damn, Clarice, how'd you make me? Action Notes Clarice nods amiably to the "Suspect", then gives her "Hostage" a hand up.