Screenplay data
In 1937 Mississippi, Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, and Pete Hogwallop escape a chain gang, with Everett convincing them to seek a supposed treasure he buried before the valley is flooded by a new dam. Their journey is fraught with misadventures, including a betrayal by Pete's cousin, a chaotic encounter with bank robber George Nelson, a recording session as the 'Soggy Bottom Boys' that unexpectedly makes them local celebrities, and a robbery by the treacherous Big Dan Teague. After Pete is recaptured and Everett and Delmar believe he was turned into a toad by sirens, they eventually reunite with Pete and Tommy Johnson, a blues guitarist who claims to have sold his soul to the devil, and infiltrate a Ku Klux Klan rally to rescue Tommy. The Soggy Bottom Boys perform at a political rally for Governor Pappy O'Daniel, who, unaware of their identities, pardons them, allowing Everett to reconcile with his estranged wife, Penny, but their newfound freedom is short-lived as the relentless Sheriff Cooley captures them and prepares to hang them.
Save the Cat beat sheet
O Brother, Where Art Thou follows three escaped convicts on a journey of self-discovery and redemption through Depression-era Mississippi.
Open full beat sheetUlysses Everett McGill is listed as Protagonist / Convict. A smooth-talking, vain convict with a pencil mustache and a penchant for pomade. In the parsed data, Ulysses Everett McGill is connected to 24 scenes, 30 dialogue lines, 30 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
24 scenes / 30 dialogue linesDelmar O'Donnell is listed as Convict. A simple-minded, optimistic convict who is easily led. In the parsed data, Delmar O'Donnell is connected to 22 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
22 scenes / 2 dialogue linesPete Hogwallop is listed as Convict. A hot-tempered, bald convict who is cousin to Wash Hogwallop. In the parsed data, Pete Hogwallop is connected to 18 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
18 scenes / 4 dialogue linesPenny McGill is listed as Everett's wife. Everett's estranged wife who intends to remarry. In the parsed data, Penny McGill is connected to 5 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
5 scenes / 11 dialogue linesTommy Johnson is listed as Musician. A blues guitarist who claims to have sold his soul to the devil. In the parsed data, Tommy Johnson is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 26.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGeorge Nelson is listed as Bank robber. A volatile, mentally unstable bank robber who hates cows. In the parsed data, George Nelson is connected to 4 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
4 scenes / 4 dialogue linesCooley is listed as Lawman. A relentless, sadistic sheriff with mirrored sunglasses and a bloodhound. In the parsed data, Cooley is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 25.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBig Dan Teague is listed as Bible salesman. A one-eyed, treacherous con man who poses as a Bible salesman. In the parsed data, Big Dan Teague is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMenelaus 'Pappy' O'Daniel is listed as Governor. The incumbent governor of Mississippi, running for re-election. In the parsed data, Menelaus 'Pappy' O'Daniel is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 23.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHomer Stokes is listed as Political candidate. The reform candidate running against Pappy O'Daniel. In the parsed data, Homer Stokes is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 21.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWash Hogwallop is listed as Farmer. Pete's cousin who betrays the convicts for a bounty. In the parsed data, Wash Hogwallop is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 4.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesThree convicts escape from a chain-gang ditch-digging detail.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete HogwallopThe convicts attempt to board a moving train but fail.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete HogwallopThe convicts argue about leadership and meet a blind prophet on a handcar.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete HogwallopThe convicts visit Pete's cousin Wash, who betrays them to the police.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, Wash Hogwallop, CooleyGeorge Nelson introduces himself to the convicts while fleeing police, then engages in a shootout with police and cows.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, George NelsonGeorge Nelson robs a bank in Itta Bena while the convicts wait.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, George NelsonGeorge Nelson has a mood swing, gives his money and car to the convicts, and walks away.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, George NelsonMr. Lunn and Mr. French discuss the success of the Soggy Bottom Boys' record.
The convicts encounter three women washing clothes who sing and lure them in.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete HogwallopEverett and Delmar wake up to find Pete gone and a toad in his clothes.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'DonnellEverett and Delmar meet Big Dan Teague.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Big Dan TeagueBig Dan Teague robs Everett and Delmar.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Big Dan TeaguePete is being interrogated by the sheriff and his men.
Pete Hogwallop, CooleyEverett and Delmar see Pete on a chain gang.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete HogwallopEverett and Delmar confront Penny at a political rally.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Penny McGillEverett confronts Penny and her fiancee Waldrip, leading to a fight and his expulsion from the store.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Penny McGill, CooleyEverett and Delmar watch a movie and are surprised by the arrival of the chain gang, including Pete.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete HogwallopPappy O'Daniel and his staff discuss the threat posed by Homer Stokes.
Menelaus 'Pappy' O'DanielEverett breaks Pete out of the chain gang barracks.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete HogwallopThe three convicts discuss the lack of treasure and their future.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete HogwallopThe convicts infiltrate a Klan rally to rescue Tommy Johnson.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, Tommy Johnson, Homer Stokes, Big Dan TeaguePappy O'Daniel and his staff arrive at the town hall, while the convicts plan to sneak in.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, Tommy Johnson, Menelaus 'Pappy' O'Daniel, Homer StokesThe Soggy Bottom Boys perform at the banquet, are pardoned by Pappy, and Everett tries to reconcile with Penny.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, Tommy Johnson, Menelaus 'Pappy' O'Daniel, Homer StokesEverett and Penny argue about their marriage, and George Nelson is led away by police.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, George Nelson, Penny McGillThe convicts are captured by Sheriff Cooley and saved by a flood.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, Tommy Johnson, CooleyThe valley is flooded by the dam project; Everett, Delmar, Pete, and Tommy survive the deluge and regroup on a coffin.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Delmar O'Donnell, Pete Hogwallop, Tommy JohnsonEverett and Penny walk with their daughters; Everett attempts to give Penny a ring, but she realizes it is the wrong one.
Ulysses Everett McGill, Penny McGillYessir, the South is gonna change. Everything's gonna be put on electricity and run on a payin' basis. Out with the old spiritual mumbo-jumbo, the superstitions and the backward ways. We're gonna see a brave new world where they run everyone a wire and hook us all up to a grid. Yessir, a veritable age of reason - like the one they had in France - and not a moment too soon...
Don't believe I've seen you boys around here before! Allow me t'innerduce myself: name of Daniel Teague.
Why then I say, by the par vested in me, these boys is hereby pardoned!
That ain't the tune you were singin' back there at the gallows!
I'M GEORGE NELSON AND I'M HERE TO SACK THE CITY A ITTA BENA!
Wait a minute! Who elected you leader a this outfit?
Any a you boys know your way around a Walther PPK?
I'M GEORGE NELSON AND I'M FEELIN' TEN FEET TALL!
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