1996
Engineer John Henry Patterson is hired by a railroad executive to oversee the construction of a bridge in Tsavo, Africa. The project is soon terrorized by two man-eating lions that kill numerous workers, including Patterson's assistant Nigel Starling. After professional hunter Redbeard arrives to assist in the hunt, the team struggles to trap the elusive predators despite using Masai warriors and elaborate baiting strategies. Following the death of Redbeard and the successful completion of the bridge, Patterson finally tracks down and kills the last remaining lion to end the reign of terror.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Engineer Patterson is hired to build a bridge in Tsavo but must first confront man–eating lions terrorizing the railway workforce.
Open full beat sheetJohn Henry Patterson is listed as Lieutenant Colonel / Engineer. A brilliant, serious, and gifted engineer tasked with building a bridge in Tsavo. In the parsed data, John Henry Patterson is connected to 30 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
30 scenes / 13 dialogue linesSamuel is listed as Camp Liaison. An ageless, wise Masai man who is the camp liaison and narrator. In the parsed data, Samuel is connected to 16 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
16 scenes / 2 dialogue linesRedbeard is listed as Professional Hunter. A legendary, ageless, and capable hunter with a thick grey beard. In the parsed data, Redbeard is connected to 11 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
11 scenes / 9 dialogue linesNigel Starling is listed as Patterson's Assistant. A morally impeccable, slightly clumsy, and optimistic young man. In the parsed data, Nigel Starling is connected to 9 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
9 scenes / 3 dialogue linesAbdullah is listed as Worker Leader. A small, bright-eyed man who leads a group of coolies. In the parsed data, Abdullah is connected to 6 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
6 scenes / 5 dialogue linesDavid Hawthorne is listed as Doctor. A tough, cynical, heavy-drinking cockney doctor. In the parsed data, David Hawthorne is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesRobert Beaumont is listed as Railroad Executive. A handsome, charming, yet cold and manipulative man who hires Patterson. In the parsed data, Robert Beaumont is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesHelena Patterson is listed as Patterson's Wife. A woman of serene beauty who supports her husband's career. In the parsed data, Helena Patterson is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSingh is listed as Construction Assistant. An extremely powerful Indian man who works on the bridge. In the parsed data, Singh is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesPatterson arrives at an office to meet Beaumont.
John Henry Patterson, Robert BeaumontBeaumont hires Patterson to build a bridge in Tsavo.
John Henry Patterson, Robert BeaumontPatterson says goodbye to his wife Helena before leaving for Africa.
John Henry Patterson, Helena PattersonPatterson meets his assistant Nigel Starling on the train.
John Henry Patterson, Nigel StarlingPatterson and Starling arrive at the Tsavo camp and meet Samuel.
John Henry Patterson, Nigel Starling, SamuelPatterson meets Dr. Hawthorne and learns of a lion attack.
John Henry Patterson, Nigel Starling, Samuel, David HawthornePatterson and Starling hunt the lion.
John Henry Patterson, Nigel StarlingPatterson, Starling, and Singh discuss bridge construction.
John Henry Patterson, Nigel Starling, SinghSingh is dragged out of his tent by a lion.
SinghPatterson discovers the aftermath of Singh's death.
John Henry Patterson, Nigel Starling, AbdullahPatterson confronts Abdullah about the camp's health and the recent deaths, while Starling and Samuel arrive with news of a second death.
John Henry Patterson, Abdullah, Nigel Starling, SamuelPatterson, Starling, and Samuel share drinks and discuss their work and goals.
John Henry Patterson, Nigel Starling, SamuelPatterson receives a letter from his wife while the lions attack the workmen.
John Henry Patterson, SamuelPatterson and Samuel confront the two lions, resulting in Starling's death.
John Henry Patterson, Nigel Starling, SamuelBeaumont arrives by train and discovers the situation.
John Henry Patterson, Robert Beaumont, Samuel, AbdullahThe lions attack the railroad car trap, but the coolies fail to kill them.
John Henry Patterson, Robert Beaumont, AbdullahRedbeard arrives and takes charge of the situation.
John Henry Patterson, Redbeard, Abdullah, Samuel, David HawthornePatterson and the workers begin building a massive thorn fence to protect the camp.
John Henry Patterson, AbdullahPatterson, Redbeard, and Samuel walk to a Masai village.
John Henry Patterson, Samuel, RedbeardRedbeard negotiates with the Masai Chief for cattle and warriors.
John Henry Patterson, Samuel, RedbeardThe group prepares their weapons and discusses the upcoming hunt.
John Henry Patterson, Samuel, David Hawthorne, RedbeardThe hunt begins with Masai warriors driving the lions toward Patterson.
John Henry Patterson, Samuel, RedbeardRedbeard and Patterson prepare the Old Hospital as a trap.
John Henry Patterson, Samuel, David Hawthorne, RedbeardThe lions attack the New Hospital while Patterson and Redbeard wait at the Old Hospital.
John Henry Patterson, David Hawthorne, RedbeardPatterson and Redbeard discuss their failure at the bridge.
John Henry Patterson, RedbeardPatterson and Redbeard discover the lions' den filled with human bones.
John Henry Patterson, RedbeardBeaumont, Patterson, and Redbeard pose for photos with the dead lion.
Robert Beaumont, John Henry Patterson, RedbeardPatterson, Redbeard, and Samuel drink champagne and discuss their futures.
John Henry Patterson, Redbeard, SamuelHelena arrives at the station with her son.
Helena PattersonPatterson has a nightmare about Helena and his son being attacked by a lion.
John Henry Patterson, Helena PattersonPatterson and Samuel discover Redbeard's body.
John Henry Patterson, SamuelPatterson and Samuel hunt the remaining lion using a baboon as bait.
John Henry Patterson, SamuelI don't really. But understand something- even though it may take me two or three days to sort this out- when I'm gone, you'll still have to build the bridge. And I don't want the men to have lost respect for you.
-you do not call me a liar- you know nothing of their health- consider yourself fortunate I persuaded so many to stay- consider yourself fortunate I have decided to stay-
Change guns with me- mine's much more powerful. I'll be finishing the hospital tomorrow so I won't be with you- but if you'll use this... then I will.
Karim will have to show me where it happened. And of course, I'll need the donkey. With any luck, I'll sort it out tonight.
-far end of camp- man wandering alone at night. Hawthorne's examining the body now. There's even less of him than of Singh.
Look at me closely, Patterson: I am a monster. My only pleasure is tormenting people who work for me, such as yourself.
It would have been a beautiful bridge, John. I never noticed before, occupied with other business, I suppose...
-oh, sing a different song, Abdullah- there's nothing wrong with your men so stop telling me there is-
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