Screenplay data
After a newborn baby is found dead in a convent, novice nun Sister Agnes is accused of murder, prompting the court to appoint cynical psychiatrist Dr. Martha Livingston to evaluate Agnes's sanity. Martha faces immediate resistance from Mother Miriam Ruth, the convent's superior, who fiercely protects Agnes and insists on her innocence, while Agnes herself claims no memory of the birth or the baby. Through persistent interviews and investigations, Martha uncovers Agnes's history of stigmata and a possible sexual assault, leading her to suspect Mother Miriam is hiding crucial information about Agnes's past and the circumstances of the birth. Under hypnosis, Agnes reveals a traumatic memory of being raped by an unknown man and giving birth in the convent barn, believing the baby to be a divine conception and then finding it dead, leading to a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and Agnes's eventual release of a dove from the bell tower, symbolizing her freedom and the unresolved mysteries of faith and trauma.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A court-appointed psychiatrist, Dr.
Open full beat sheetDr. Martha Livingston is listed as Court-appointed psychiatrist. A cynical, smoking psychiatrist tasked with evaluating Agnes's sanity. In the parsed data, Dr. Martha Livingston is connected to 51 scenes, 113 dialogue lines, 113 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
51 scenes / 113 dialogue linesSister Agnes is listed as Novice nun. A young, childlike nun accused of killing her newborn baby. In the parsed data, Sister Agnes is connected to 31 scenes, 61 dialogue lines, 61 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
31 scenes / 61 dialogue linesMother Miriam Ruth is listed as Superior of the convent. The head of the convent, protective of Agnes, former wife and mother. In the parsed data, Mother Miriam Ruth is connected to 28 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
28 scenes / 44 dialogue linesSister Marguerite is listed as Nun. A stern nun at the convent. In the parsed data, Sister Marguerite is connected to 8 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSister Anne is listed as Nun. A nun at the convent. In the parsed data, Sister Anne is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 18.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesFather Martineau is listed as Priest. An elderly priest associated with the convent. In the parsed data, Father Martineau is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSister Genevieve is listed as Novice nun. Another novice at the convent. In the parsed data, Sister Genevieve is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 35.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJustice Leveau is listed as Judge. Presiding judge over the case. In the parsed data, Justice Leveau is connected to 4 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
4 scenes / 5 dialogue linesEve is listed as Legal associate. Involved in the legal proceedings. In the parsed data, Eve is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
3 scenes / 3 dialogue linesLyon is listed as Legal associate. Involved in the legal proceedings. In the parsed data, Lyon is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLarry is listed as Associate. A man associated with Martha. In the parsed data, Larry is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 13.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMama is listed as Martha's mother. An elderly, senile woman in a nursing home. In the parsed data, Mama is connected to 1 scene, 4 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
1 scenes / 4 dialogue linesNuns are heard whispering at prayer.
Mother Miriam closes and locks the chapel gate.
Mother Miriam RuthNuns walk in the courtyard saying the rosary.
Nuns kneel in prayer.
Exterior shot of the convent at night.
Sister Marguerite locks up, then a scream is heard.
Sister MargueriteLights turn on in the convent.
Nuns discover Sister Agnes bleeding in her room.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister AgnesAn ambulance arrives at the convent.
Paramedics treat Sister Agnes.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister AgnesMother Superior finds bloodied sheets.
Mother Miriam RuthAerial shot of Montreal.
Martha arrives at the courthouse and sees the nuns.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha Livingston, Sister Marguerite, LarryMartha discusses the case with the Judge and legal associates.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Justice Leveau, Eve, LyonMartha listens to messages and looks at a newspaper.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha arrives at the convent.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Sister MargueriteMartha meets Mother Miriam.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha Livingston, Sister MargueriteSister Anne leads Martha to Agnes' room.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Sister AnneMartha approaches Agnes' room.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Sister AnneMartha interviews Agnes.
Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha LivingstonAn elderly nun watches Martha and Agnes.
Martha and Agnes talk in the courtyard.
Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha and Mother Miriam discuss Agnes' sanity.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha leaves the convent.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha stops the car.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha turns the car around.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha arrives at the presbytery.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha meets Father Martineau.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Father MartineauMartha and Father Martineau have tea.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Father MartineauMartha visits her mother.
Dr. Martha Livingston, MamaMartha interviews Sister Anne about the convent's operations and locates Agnes's former room.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Sister AnneMother Miriam shows Martha Agnes's former room and they discuss Agnes's innocence.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonFlashback to Mother Miriam confronting Agnes about her refusal to eat and the discovery of stigmata.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister AgnesMartha and Mother Miriam argue about the medical implications of Agnes's past behavior.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonThe sisters chant in the chapel.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister Agnes, Sister Marguerite, Sister Anne, Sister GenevieveLarry gives Martha an envelope of evidence.
Dr. Martha Livingston, LarryAgnes swings on a tree swing.
Sister AgnesThe sisters perform devotions.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister Marguerite, Sister Anne, Sister GenevieveAgnes confesses to Father Martineau.
Sister Agnes, Father MartineauMartha reviews police photos.
Dr. Martha LivingstonAgnes milks a cow.
Sister AgnesMartha argues with legal associates and the judge about the pace of the case.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Justice Leveau, Eve, LyonMartha and Agnes visit Sister Paul's grave.
Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha and Agnes climb the bell tower.
Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha LivingstonAgnes and Martha discuss Agnes's mother and the concept of pregnancy.
Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha and Mother Miriam argue about the convent's influence on Agnes.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha and Mother Miriam examine the convent's day book.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonFlashback to Mother Miriam questioning Agnes about missing sheets.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister Agnes, Sister Marguerite, Sister GenevieveFlashback to the night Sister Paul died, with Agnes present.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister Agnes, Father MartineauMartha and the Monsignor discuss the investigation into Agnes.
Dr. Martha LivingstonThe convent bell rings.
Mother Miriam rings the bell.
Mother Miriam RuthAgnes works in the farmyard.
Sister AgnesMartha questions Agnes about her past and her mother.
Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha LivingstonAn elderly nun warns Martha about the convent's secrets.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha discovers Mother Miriam's connection to Agnes.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha and Mother Miriam continue their argument.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha consults Larry about the case.
Dr. Martha Livingston, LarryMartha receives a clue about a waste paper basket.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMass is held at the convent.
Sister Agnes, Father MartineauMartha and Mother Miriam argue about hypnotizing Agnes.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonNuns in the courtyard.
Martha and Mother Miriam bond over cigarettes.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha begins the hypnosis of Agnes.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha arrives at the land registry to research the convent.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha consults an official about convent ground plans.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha discovers a hidden stairway in the crypt.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha explores the tunnel.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha emerges into the barn.
Dr. Martha LivingstonEstablishing shots of the city and nuns moving through streets.
Sister Anne and Mother Miriam ride in a lift.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister AnneThe sisters walk down a corridor.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Sister AnneMother Miriam confronts Martha and removes her from the case.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonNuns ice skate on a frozen pond.
Sister Genevieve is consecrated.
Sister GenevieveMartha pleads with Justice Leveau for more time.
Dr. Martha Livingston, Justice LeveauMontage of Sister Genevieve's consecration.
Sister GenevieveMartha arrives at the convent.
Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha confronts Mother Miriam about the night of the birth.
Mother Miriam Ruth, Dr. Martha LivingstonMartha questions Agnes about the night Sister Paul died.
Sister Agnes, Dr. Martha LivingstonMummy wasn't very happy when she died ... and, I think she went to hell because every time I see her she looks like she just stepped out of a hot shower, and I... I'm never sure if it's her, or the Lady who tells me things! They fight over me all the time. The Lady... I saw when I was ten. I was lying on the grass, looking at the sun, and the sun became a cloud, and the cloud became, a Lady. And she told me she would talk to me. And then... her feet began to bleed and I saw there... there were holes in her hands and in her side. And I tried to catch the blood as it fell from the sky, but I couldn't see any more because my eyes hurt because there were big black spots in front of them. And she tells me things like, like... right now she's crying Marie! Marie! ... but I don't know what that means.
I promise you Doctor, even if I had the inclination, how could I possibly catch her? She would have to be a very slow and patient nun. Ah no... they're a very special and rare people those Sisters. Only a few of them left in this modern world, consecrated to the praise of God.
In her case it isn't. She's had very little schooling. Her mother kept her home almost all the time and when her mother died Agnes came here, to us. She's never been out there Doctor. She's never seen a movie or a television show. She's never even read a book.
In view of the situation as it now stands, and the testimony given here this morning, it seems quite clear that the defendant was in no manner responsible for her actions.
Smoking is an obsession with me. Maybe one day I'll become obsessed with something else, then I'll stop smoking... Do you have any more questions?
Well... what do you think? Is she totally bananas or merely slightly off centre... or maybe she's perfectly sane and just a very good liar.
Exactly. I want you do deal with Agnes as speedily and as easily as possible. She won't hold up under any sort of cross examination.
Doctor Livingston I presume? I'm Mother Miriam Ruth. You needn't call Mother if you don't wish. Most people find it uncomfortable.
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