THE S A I N T
by Jonathan Hensleigh
Director: Phillip Noyce
February 8, 1995
New York City
The only difference between the
saint and the sinner is that every
saint has a past and every sinner
has a future.
- O. Wilde -
FADE IN:
The majestic city and bay, as seen from the elevation of the surrounding Shan Ho hills as we SUPER –
HONG KONG – 1965
PANNING away from the city, we come before the bleak facade of the SAINT IGNATIUS ORPHANAGE.
BOY’S VOICE (o.s.)
Simon Magus was a magician and sorcerer in uhhm… Sumatra.
INT. HONG KONG – SAINT IGNATIUS ORPHANAGE – DAY
Twenty boys, aged 7 to 12, sit at spartan desks, bibles raised. FATHER O’NEAL walks amongst them. A career Jesuit with razor eyes and thin lips. An awful man.
FATHER 0′NEAL
(sternly)
Sumeria. And what happened to him Francis?
FRANCIS, 12, is the eldest and largest boy.
FRANCIS
Jesus’ disciples came and performed miracles. When Simon Magus saw the miracles he offered disciple Peter gold for the powers of God.
FATHER 0′NEAL
What did disciple Peter say to that? Michael Quinn?
Father O’Neal stands before the youngest, littlest boy, who, unlike the others, exhibits no fear in his huge, intelligent eyes. Father O’Neal hates this boy.
The boy, MICHAEL QUINN, doesn’t respond. Father O’Neal snatches his bible, revealing a SECOND BOOK hidden behind it.
It’s a dime store pulp adventure with a gaudy cover entitled “THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.”
FATHER 0′NEAL
Answer the question Michael.
The little boy stares up at him.
–
One of the best movies that I watched in the cinema in the 90′s!