Screenplay data
Former Confederate soldier Ethan Edwards returns to his brother's ranch in 1868, only for his family to be massacred by Comanche chief Scar, who abducts his nieces, Lucy and Debbie. Ethan, with his adopted nephew Martin, embarks on a years-long search, discovering Lucy dead and eventually locating Debbie, now assimilated into Comanche culture and Scar's wife. During a final cavalry assault, Martin kills Scar, and Ethan, after initially intending to kill Debbie, ultimately spares her life and brings her back to the Jorgensen ranch. Ethan, a lone figure, watches Debbie reunite with Martin and the family before turning and walking away, forever a wanderer.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Ethan Edwards returns to his family ranch only to find it destroyed and his niece Debbie kidnapped by Comanches.
Open full beat sheetMartin Pauley is listed as Protagonist. Under 20, quarter Cherokee, lithe and coordinated, loyal companion to Ethan. In the parsed data, Martin Pauley is connected to 53 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 38 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
53 scenes / 37 dialogue linesEthan Edwards is listed as Protagonist. A hard, weathered man in his forties, former Confederate soldier, driven by a relentless search for his niece. In the parsed data, Ethan Edwards is connected to 50 scenes, 72 dialogue lines, 73 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
50 scenes / 72 dialogue linesSam Clayton is listed as Ranger Captain/Minister. A big man with frosty blue eyes, authoritative, carries a .44. In the parsed data, Sam Clayton is connected to 17 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
17 scenes / 42 dialogue linesLaurie Jorgensen is listed as Martin's love interest. Blonde, reaching maturity, daughter of the Edwards' neighbors. In the parsed data, Laurie Jorgensen is connected to 13 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
13 scenes / 6 dialogue linesDebbie Edwards is listed as Captive. 11 years old at the start, later a young woman raised by Comanches. In the parsed data, Debbie Edwards is connected to 12 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
12 scenes / 6 dialogue linesMose Harper is listed as Scout. An old, eccentric scout, capable of tireless endurance. In the parsed data, Mose Harper is connected to 11 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
11 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMartha Edwards is listed as Aaron's wife. A still-lovely woman, deeply connected to Ethan. In the parsed data, Martha Edwards is connected to 9 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
9 scenes / 5 dialogue linesAaron Edwards is listed as Ethan's brother. A lean, weathered, and tired man, gentler than Ethan. In the parsed data, Aaron Edwards is connected to 9 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
9 scenes / 4 dialogue linesScar is listed as Antagonist. Comanche war chief, arrogant, implacable, responsible for the Edwards massacre. In the parsed data, Scar is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 44.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLook is listed as Martin's Comanche wife. A young Comanche woman, pigeon-toed, shy. In the parsed data, Look is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesEthan Edwards rides toward the Edwards ranch.
Ethan EdwardsEthan arrives at the ranch and is greeted by his family.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Debbie Edwards, Aaron Edwards, Martha EdwardsThe family eats dinner; Ethan gives Debbie a medal.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Debbie Edwards, Aaron Edwards, Martha EdwardsCaptain Clayton and a posse arrive to investigate rustlers.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Aaron Edwards, Martha Edwards, Sam Clayton, Mose HarperThe posse departs.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Debbie Edwards, Sam ClaytonThe posse prepares to leave; Debbie says goodbye to Martin; Ethan shares a final, silent moment with Martha.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Debbie Edwards, Aaron Edwards, Martha Edwards, Sam ClaytonThe posse tracks the raiders; Ethan corrects Martin on his address; Brad discovers evidence of a massacre.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam Clayton, Mose HarperAaron prepares for the attack; the family hides Debbie; the Comanche attack begins.
Debbie Edwards, Aaron Edwards, Martha Edwards, ScarEthan and Mose arrive at the burning ranch; Ethan knocks Martin unconscious to protect him.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Mose HarperThe funeral for the Edwards family; Ethan and Martin depart to continue the search.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam Clayton, Laurie Jorgensen, Mose HarperThe search party finds a dead Comanche at a cairn; Ethan scalps the body to deny it entry to the spirit land.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam Clayton, Mose HarperThe men camp for the night; Ethan broods over a miniature of Martha.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyThe searchers spot the Comanche camp and argue over strategy.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam Clayton, Mose HarperThe searchers engage the Comanches in a running battle at the river.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam Clayton, Mose HarperAfter the battle, the group splits up; Ethan continues alone with Martin and Brad.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam ClaytonThe trio tracks the Comanches through the desert.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan leaves the group briefly to investigate a side trail.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyBrad claims to have seen Lucy; Ethan reveals she is dead.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan and Martin hear the sounds of the Comanche camp and realize Brad has been killed.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan and Martin discuss their progress and the search for Debbie.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan and Martin return to the Jorgensen house a year and a half later.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Aaron Edwards, Martha Edwards, Laurie JorgensenLaurie visits Martin while he bathes to mend his clothes.
Martin Pauley, Laurie JorgensenEthan discusses the search and receives a letter about Debbie.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Aaron Edwards, Martha Edwards, Laurie JorgensenEthan tells Martin he is leaving and that Martin should stay.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyMartin decides to follow Ethan after learning about the lead.
Martin Pauley, Laurie JorgensenEthan and Martin confront Futterman about the dress.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan sets up a trap for potential attackers.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan and Martin prepare a dummy to bait Futterman and his men into attacking the camp.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyFutterman and his men attack the camp, but are killed by Ethan.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan returns to the camp and retrieves his money from Futterman's body.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyCharlie MacCorry delivers a letter from Martin to the Jorgensens.
Laurie JorgensenThe family reads Martin's letter, which reveals he has a Comanche wife.
Laurie JorgensenMartin inadvertently buys a Comanche wife named Look.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, LookLook tries to sleep with Martin, who rejects her.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, LookLook has left a sign for the men to follow.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan slaughters a buffalo herd to deny food to the Comanches.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan and Martin find Look dead in a tepee.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, LookEthan and Martin discover Debbie's doll in the possession of the deceased Look. They resolve to find the cavalry column.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, LookEthan and Martin intercept a cavalry column and speak with an officer about white captives.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan and Martin confront the General about his attack on the Comanche camp.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam ClaytonEthan and Martin inspect the captives and the dead, finding the girls are now fully assimilated into Comanche culture.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyLaurie reads a letter from Martin while the Jorgensens and Charlie spend the evening together.
Laurie JorgensenEthan and Martin meet Mose Harper and Emilio Figueroa to track Scar.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Mose HarperEthan and Martin confront Scar at his tepee.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, ScarEthan and Martin enter Scar's tepee to confront him and see Debbie.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Scar, Debbie EdwardsEthan and Martin encounter Debbie at the creek; a skirmish ensues.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Debbie Edwards, ScarMartin tends to Ethan's wound; Ethan reveals his will.
Ethan Edwards, Martin PauleyA party is held at the Jorgensen home; Ethan and Martin arrive.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam Clayton, Laurie JorgensenMartin and Charlie engage in a brutal fight that transitions from boxing to wrestling, ending with Martin counting coup on Charlie.
Martin Pauley, Sam Clayton, Ethan Edwards, Laurie JorgensenWedding guests depart; Clayton confronts Ethan and Martin about Futterman's death.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Aaron Edwards, Martha Edwards, Sam Clayton, Laurie JorgensenA cavalry lieutenant arrives with news of Scar and Mose Harper.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Aaron Edwards, Martha Edwards, Sam Clayton, Mose HarperLaurie pleads with Martin not to go after Debbie.
Martin Pauley, Laurie JorgensenThe Rangers prepare to attack the Comanche camp; Ethan reveals the truth about Martin's mother's scalp.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Sam ClaytonMartin finds Debbie, but is confronted by Scar.
Martin Pauley, Debbie Edwards, ScarEthan pursues Debbie with the intent to kill her.
Ethan Edwards, Martin Pauley, Debbie EdwardsEthan corners Debbie in the open country, prepares to shoot her, but ultimately spares her and comforts her.
Ethan Edwards, Debbie Edwards, Martin PauleyRangers engage in a final skirmish with Comanches as cavalry arrives.
Sam ClaytonClayton receives first aid while being berated by Colonel Greenhill; Ethan, Martin, and Debbie arrive.
Sam Clayton, Ethan Edwards, Debbie Edwards, Martin PauleyEthan, Martin, and Debbie return home; Laurie reunites with Martin.
Mose Harper, Laurie Jorgensen, Ethan Edwards, Debbie Edwards, Martin PauleyNow Lars!... It so happens we be Texicans... We took a reachin' hold, way far out, past where any man has right or reason to hold on... Or if we didn't, our folks did... So we can't leave off without makin' them out to be fools, wastin' their lives 'n wasted in the way they died... A Texican's nothin' but a human man out on a limb... This year an' next and maybe for a hundred more. But I don't think it'll be forever. Someday this country will be a fine good place to be... Maybe it needs our bones in the ground before that time can come...
Captain... Nope, wouldn't say that... Likely you had your reasons for killin' Futterman... Probably needed killin'... I'm speaking as a ranger now, not as a reverend... Fact that all three was shot in the back is the only thing that's raised some question -- that and a missin' gold piece known to have been on him just prior to his demise.
That's what scares me -- him findin' her. Laurie, I've seen his eyes when he so much as hears the word 'Comanche' ...I've seen him take his knife an' ...never mind... But he's a man can go crazy wild... It might come on him when it was the worst thing could be... What I counted on, I hoped to be there to stop him, if such thing come.
...an' then it snowed and we lost the trail... No need to tell ya all the places we went... Fort Richardson, Fort Wingate an' Cobb... the Anadarko Agency... Trouble is we don't even know which band that war party belonged to...
I'm a woman, Martie... We wash and mend your dirty clothes all our lives... When you're little we even wash you... How a man can ever make out to get bashful in front of a woman I'll never know...
No... our turnin' back don't change anything... not in the long run. If she's alive, she's safe... for a while... They'll keep her to raise as one of their own, 'til she's of an age to...
So we knew Debbie had been in the village... What Look was doing there -- whether she'd come to warn them, or maybe to find Debbie for me... there's no way of knowing...
Sonny, yonder's a passel of murderers, complete with Texican scalps an' white girl captive... You want to protect us, you just get out of our way... Now skedaddle!
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.