2004
Victor Van Dort, a shy young man, is arranged to marry Victoria Everglot to save both their families from ruin. During the wedding rehearsal, Victor fumbles his vows and flees into the forest, where he accidentally places the wedding ring on the skeletal finger of a deceased bride named Emily, inadvertently marrying her. Emily, the Corpse Bride, takes Victor to the Land of the Dead, where he learns of her tragic past: she was murdered by her fiancé, Barkis Bittern, who stole her jewels. Victor eventually returns to the Land of the Living with Emily, hoping to reunite with Victoria, but his parents and Victoria's parents, believing him to be missing, arrange for Victoria to marry the wealthy newcomer, Barkis Bittern.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Victor, a timid young man, accidentally marries a long-deceased bride while rehearsing wedding vows and is whisked to the Land of the Dead.
Open full beat sheetVictor Van Dort is listed as Protagonist. A handsome 19-year-old with a gentle, slightly dreaming quality. In the parsed data, Victor Van Dort is connected to 23 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
23 scenes / 15 dialogue linesEmily is listed as Deuteragonist. A deceased bride in a tattered wedding gown. In the parsed data, Emily is connected to 19 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
19 scenes / 11 dialogue linesVictoria Everglot is listed as Protagonist. A pretty, sweet young girl, daughter of the Everglots. In the parsed data, Victoria Everglot is connected to 14 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
14 scenes / 7 dialogue linesMaudeline Everglot is listed as Victoria's Mother. An imperious Victorian matron with extremely high hair. In the parsed data, Maudeline Everglot is connected to 10 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 30.
10 scenes / 1 dialogue linesFinis Everglot is listed as Victoria's Father. A round, importantly-frowning man. In the parsed data, Finis Everglot is connected to 10 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.
10 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWilliam Van Dort is listed as Victor's Father. A slouch-shouldered gentleman with a drooping mustache. In the parsed data, William Van Dort is connected to 9 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
9 scenes / 4 dialogue linesHildegarde is listed as Supporting. Victoria's elderly maid. In the parsed data, Hildegarde is connected to 8 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMaggot is listed as Supporting. A maggot living in Emily's eye socket. In the parsed data, Maggot is connected to 8 scenes, first appearing around scene 10.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesNell Van Dort is listed as Victor's Mother. A plump, pushy Victorian matron. In the parsed data, Nell Van Dort is connected to 8 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBlack Widow is listed as Supporting. A spider living on Emily's veil. In the parsed data, Black Widow is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 10.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesElder Gutknecht is listed as Supporting. An ancient, gnarled skeleton scholar. In the parsed data, Elder Gutknecht is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesBarkis Bittern is listed as Antagonist. The Everglot's lawyer. In the parsed data, Barkis Bittern is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMayhew is listed as Supporting. The Van Dort carriage driver. In the parsed data, Mayhew is connected to 5 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
5 scenes / 4 dialogue linesBonejangles is listed as Supporting. Front-man for The Skeletons. In the parsed data, Bonejangles is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 12.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesPastor Galswells is listed as Supporting. A stern, forbidding clergyman. In the parsed data, Pastor Galswells is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesVictor finishes a sketch of a butterfly and releases it out the window.
Victor Van DortThe town prepares for the wedding rehearsal as the Van Dorts depart for the Everglot mansion.
Victor Van Dort, William Van Dort, Nell Van DortVictor's parents coach him on how to behave with Victoria.
Victor Van Dort, William Van Dort, Nell Van Dort, MayhewThe Everglots discuss the Van Dorts with disdain.
Finis Everglot, Maudeline EverglotVictoria is prepared for the rehearsal by her maid and expresses her anxiety.
Victoria Everglot, Finis Everglot, Maudeline Everglot, HildegardeThe Van Dorts arrive and meet the Everglots.
Victor Van Dort, William Van Dort, Nell Van Dort, Finis Everglot, Maudeline EverglotVictor and Victoria meet for the first time while he plays the piano.
Victor Van Dort, Victoria Everglot, Pastor GalswellsThe wedding rehearsal goes disastrously wrong.
Victor Van Dort, Victoria Everglot, William Van Dort, Nell Van Dort, Finis Everglot, Maudeline EverglotVictor practices his vows in the woods and accidentally marries the Corpse Bride.
Victor Van Dort, EmilyVictor is taken to the Land of the Dead.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Bonejangles, Maggot, Black WidowVictor is brought to a pub in the Land of the Dead.
Victor Van Dort, EmilyVictor is in the Land of the Dead pub, feeling overwhelmed by the macabre surroundings and the skeletons playing music. He tries to act tough with a sword, but is clearly terrified. Bonejangles and the band perform a song about Emily's tragic death, and the Corpse Bride kisses Victor.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Elder Gutknecht, Bonejangles, Maggot, Black WidowMayhew sits in the carriage outside the Everglot mansion in the dark.
MayhewVictoria is sewing a quilt and expresses concern about Victor's absence to Hildegarde.
Victoria Everglot, HildegardeThe Van Dorts and Everglots discuss Victor's disappearance. Barkis arrives with the Town Crier, who announces Victor was seen with a mystery woman. The parents panic about the wedding.
William Van Dort, Nell Van Dort, Finis Everglot, Maudeline Everglot, Barkis Bittern, Victoria EverglotVictor and Emily discuss their situation. Victor realizes he is still alive. Emily reveals she has been watching him. They decide to visit Victor's parents.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, MaggotWilliam tries to convince Nell that they can substitute a broom for Victor to satisfy the Everglots.
William Van Dort, Nell Van DortVictor and Emily ask Elder Gutknecht for help to visit the living world. He performs a spell to send them there.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Elder GutknechtVictor and Emily arrive in the living world as phantoms. Victor leaves Emily to go prepare his parents.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Maggot, Black WidowVictor approaches the Everglot mansion and overhears Finis and Maudeline plotting against him. He tries to climb a trellis but fails because he is a phantom.
Victor Van Dort, Finis Everglot, Maudeline EverglotVictor climbs to Victoria's balcony, enters, and tries to explain his situation while the Corpse Bride follows him.
Victor Van Dort, Victoria Everglot, EmilyVictor and the Corpse Bride return to the Elder's study and argue about their marriage.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Elder GutknechtThe Corpse Bride sings about her heartbreak while Victor watches from the shadows.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Maggot, Black WidowVictoria tries to convince her mother and maid that Victor is married to a corpse.
Victoria Everglot, Maudeline Everglot, HildegardeVictoria seeks help from Pastor Galswells, who betrays her to her parents.
Victoria Everglot, Finis Everglot, Maudeline Everglot, Pastor Galswells, HildegardeNell and William search for Victor while Mayhew drives.
William Van Dort, Nell Van Dort, MayhewVictor apologizes to the Corpse Bride and they play piano together.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Maggot, Black WidowThe dead prepare for a party and Mayhew arrives.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Bonejangles, MayhewVictor learns about Barkis Bittern's connection to Emily while Mayhew helps the dead.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, MayhewFinis and Maudeline force Victoria to marry Barkis.
Victoria Everglot, Finis Everglot, Maudeline EverglotBarkis prepares for the wedding while Finis demands perfection.
Finis Everglot, Barkis Bittern, HildegardeElder Gutknecht reveals to Emily that her marriage to Victor is not binding.
Emily, Elder GutknechtEmily convinces the dead to move the party to the land of the living.
Victor Van Dort, Emily, Elder Gutknecht, Bonejangles, Maggot, Black WidowVictoria prepares for her wedding to Barkis.
Victoria Everglot, HildegardeVictoria and Barkis are married.
Victoria Everglot, Finis Everglot, Barkis Bittern, Pastor Galswells, HildegardeThe wedding dinner is interrupted by the arrival of the dead.
Victoria Everglot, Emily, Maudeline Everglot, Barkis Bittern, BonejanglesThe dead celebrate in the village square.
Victor Van Dort, Victoria Everglot, Emily, William Van Dort, Nell Van Dort, Barkis BitternEmily leaves the village.
EmilyEmily transforms into butterflies.
EmilyVictor and Victoria get married.
Victor Van Dort, Victoria EverglotWith this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.
Very good indeed. I've always thought people worried too much about the ceremony and not enough about the celebration.
I love you, Victor, but you're not mine. My dreams were taken from me. Now I've stolen them from someone else.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry I lied to you about wanting to see my parents. Truth is, I'm happier not to see them.
That's enough, Victoria. The wedding has been planned for months.
You! You were the highwayman who strangled me. You took my ring!
Victor! Oh, it is such joy to see you. What's happened to you!
Please, I beg of you! Tell me, can the living marry the dead?
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