Scripts
The White Ribbon poster

1913

The White Ribbon script

In a small German village on the eve of World War I, a series of inexplicable and violent accidents begins to plague the community. The local schoolteacher observes these disturbing events, which include the doctor being injured by a tripwire and the baron's son being abducted and tortured. As suspicion falls upon the village children, the strict and repressive atmosphere imposed by the pastor and other authority figures creates a breeding ground for cruelty and resentment. The mystery remains unsolved as the community descends into chaos and the onset of war, leaving the true perpetrators of the atrocities hidden in the shadows.

Writer
Michael Haneke
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt1149362
Script date
1913-1914
3Scenes
17Characters
76Pages
2Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

The White Ribbon Save the Cat analysis

In a rural village, a midwife’s announcement stirs family tensions and foreshadows deeper conflicts.

Open full beat sheet
12

Key characters

Baron

Baron is listed as Landowner. The master of the manorial estate. In the parsed data, Baron is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.

1 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Martin

Martin is listed as Schoolboy. A tall gangly boy of around 12, son of the pastor. In the parsed data, Martin is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.

1 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Midwife

Midwife is listed as Village Midwife. A single woman around 40 who serves as the doctor's housekeeper. In the parsed data, Midwife is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.

1 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Xenia

Xenia is listed as Doctor's daughter. The 12-year-old daughter of the doctor. In the parsed data, Xenia is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.

1 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Beatrix

Beatrix is listed as Baron's wife. A beautiful, nervous woman in her late thirties. In the parsed data, Beatrix is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 3.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Georg

Georg is listed as Schoolboy. A strong boy of around 13. In the parsed data, Georg is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 2.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Hans

Hans is listed as Midwife's son. The 8-year-old mongoloid son of the midwife. In the parsed data, Hans is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 1.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Narrator

Narrator is listed as Village Schoolteacher. The film's protagonist and narrator who observes the strange events in the village. In the parsed data, Narrator is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 2.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Pastor

Pastor is listed as Village Pastor. A mid-forties man, strict head of the local rectory. In the parsed data, Pastor is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 3.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Steward

Steward is listed as Estate Overseer. A heavy-set rustic man in his mid-fifties. In the parsed data, Steward is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 1.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Tutor

Tutor is listed as Tutor. A young man infatuated with the Baroness. In the parsed data, Tutor is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 3.

1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Anna

Anna is listed as Pastor's wife. A woman in her late forties.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Doctor

Doctor is listed as Village Doctor. A gaunt, intellectual man around 60, widower, with two children.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Eva

Eva is listed as Nanny. A red-haired, 18-year-old nanny hired by the Baron.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Marie

Marie is listed as Schoolgirl. A delicate, pretty girl of around 13, daughter of the pastor.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Rudolph

Rudolph is listed as Doctor's son. The four-year-old son of the doctor.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Sigi

Sigi is listed as Baron's son. The 9-year-old son of the landowner.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. INT/EXT. INT/NIGHT - NIGHT

    The midwife announces the birth of a boy to the steward's family, causing a quarrel among the children.

    Midwife, Hans, Xenia, Steward
  2. 2. INT/EXT. EXT/DAWN - DAWN

    Franz reveals to his father the truth about his mother's death.

    Narrator, Martin, Georg
  3. 3. INT/EXT. EXT/DAY - DAY

    Harvest festival takes place at the manor.

    Baron, Beatrix, Pastor, Tutor

Dialogue examples

Enjoy your meal!! Eat and drink as much as you wish. You deserve it.

Baron / Scene 3

They sent her there knowing it was dangerous.

Martin / Scene 2

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