1995
In the aftermath of the Gulf War, American soldiers John Epps, Wes Hammond, and Mark Jaeger discover a map to Saddam Hussein's hidden gold, sparking their greed-fueled quest. The trio embarks on a perilous journey through the Iraqi desert, facing landmines, ambushes, and the harsh environment, all while their camaraderie frays under the pressure of their illicit mission. After locating and securing the gold from a hidden cave, their escape is complicated by an encounter with Iraqi soldiers, a standoff with Wes, and a series of escalating conflicts. Epps and Jaeger are captured by mounted Arabs, reunited with Wes, and then escape, leading to a chase and a final confrontation where Epps outwits Wes. The two remaining soldiers hijack a car but are caught in an American airstrike, leading to Jaeger's eventual court-martial and imprisonment, while Epps' fate remains unknown.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Three Kings follows three soldiers who divert from their duties to hunt for buried Iraqi gold, facing internal conflicts and external threats.
Open full beat sheetMark Jaeger is listed as PFC. A soldier with a B-movie hero swagger who is obsessed with finding treasure. In the parsed data, Mark Jaeger is connected to 35 scenes, 276 dialogue lines, 276 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
35 scenes / 276 dialogue linesJohn Epps is listed as Second Lieutenant. A pragmatic and ambitious soldier who leads the group. In the parsed data, John Epps is connected to 32 scenes, 341 dialogue lines, 345 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
32 scenes / 341 dialogue linesWes Hammond is listed as PFC. A soldier who is initially cautious and knowledgeable about the region, but becomes increasingly unstable. In the parsed data, Wes Hammond is connected to 27 scenes, 185 dialogue lines, 185 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
27 scenes / 185 dialogue linesWoods is listed as Intel soldier. A soldier working in the intelligence room. In the parsed data, Woods is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 5.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesPresident Bush is listed as President of the United States. The President of the United States, seen in video addresses.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJaeger, Epps, and Wes are in a Humvee in the desert. Jaeger pretends to shoot at phantom troops, annoying Wes and Epps.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe three soldiers walk through a bazaar. Jaeger buys a puzzle box.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerJaeger tries to open the puzzle box while Wes questions him about the war.
Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe soldiers are in the Humvee again. Jaeger opens the puzzle box to find a map.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerJaeger asks Woods for maps and photos of Iraq.
Mark Jaeger, WoodsJaeger studies his maps and photos, becoming obsessed.
Mark JaegerThe soldiers discuss using the map to find treasure in Iraq.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe soldiers drive the Humvee into the desert.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe soldiers ride in the Humvee, listening to music.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps, Jaeger, and Wes drive through the desert in a Humvee, discussing their search for treasure and their fear of the war.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe Humvee jumps over a sand dune.
Wes HammondEpps continues driving recklessly while Wes gets sick.
John Epps, Wes HammondThe Humvee hits another dune.
Wes HammondThe group discusses what they will do with the treasure.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe group discovers a damaged fuel tank and argues.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe group treks through the desert; Jaeger steps on a land mine.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps, Wes, and Jaeger search for mines in the desert while discussing the map and their mission.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe group observes an Iraqi camp from a distance.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe group climbs a mesa and navigates a treacherous pass.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe group finds a crevice and prepares to descend.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger dig in the cave while Wes guards the top.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger pry open a rock wall in a cave, find a box of gold, and deal with a mongoose.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe group is ambushed by an Iraqi soldier while sleeping; Wes kills the soldier.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe group treks back; Epps and Wes have a standoff.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerThe group finds a destroyed camp; Epps falls into a sinkhole.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger argue about signaling a helicopter; Jaeger threatens Epps to keep the gold hidden.
John Epps, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger discuss their situation and continue walking.
John Epps, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger spot a shack and approach it, leading to a firefight.
John Epps, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger kill the occupants of the shack after realizing they are Iraqi.
John Epps, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger wake up and decide to leave the shack.
John Epps, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger are surrounded by mounted Arabs.
John Epps, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger are taken to a camp where they encounter Wes.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps, Jaeger, and Wes escape the camp, leading to a chase.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps rescues Jaeger from his fallen horse while under fire from Wes and his men.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger are cornered by Wes. Epps tricks Wes with a booby-trapped pack.
John Epps, Wes Hammond, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger wait for a car to hijack to escape.
John Epps, Mark JaegerEpps and Jaeger hijack a car but are caught in an American air strike.
John Epps, Mark JaegerJaeger is sentenced for his crimes and speculates on Epps' survival.
Mark JaegerWhen my Shi'ite friends saw that they had shot an American they were very apologetic. Turns out we've been kicking ass in this little war. They figure we've finally gotten Saddam off their backs. They brought me to their camp, cleaned me up, fed me... I'm their new best buddy. America number one, Joe. But there's something the Shi'ites can't figure out: They can't figure out why my two buddies, two fellow Americans, left me out in the desert. They can't seem to figure out what those same two guys were doing in an Iraqi outpost. It's almost as if they were Iraqi spies, or something. And I've got to tell you they hate anything that's got to do with the Iraqis. See how I mean?
Yeah, well, I've been thinking about that. See, there was an explosion and everything, but I never really aaw Epps get killed. And nobody ever found the gold. I guess they both could have been burned to slag. I guess. But there were a lot of bodies out on that road. A smart man could have found some identification to use. A smart man could have made his way up to Syria or Turkey. A smart man could have gotten himself right out of the Middle East. A smart man with enough gold. Way I figure, right about now old Epps is sitting in a bar in Sydney, or Melboure, or maybe Brisbane telling stories to one of the prettiest Aussies you ever saw.
Hey, you know what? Can I be honest with you? Right now I'm not all that interested in how you're messed up 'cause you didn't get the bicycle you wanted for your thirteenth birthday. What I'm interested in is how I can keep from getting dead. And listening to sob stories from some about how the system wasn't good to him because he had to work like everybody else instead of being born a Kennedy doesn't do a damn thing to help keep me alive. So do me a favor; either shut up, or...just shut up.
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