[Fay Goodman]

ASSIGNMENT: 8

Subject line: (FAY GOODMAN) Likability/Empathy/Justification

I feel I have learnt a great deal about stopping to consider the depth of character of my hero. I asked myself the question, have I actually done justice to my hero’s character/personality? Had I managed to bring out all the qualities which hopefully will bring the audience on board throughout the story to care about him? Telling a complex true story does not always allow, I feel rightly or wrongly, a comfortable three-part approach in one act, but it does pick up a thread which flows throughout the story.

Local stable boy is in awe of the Anders as he grooms the horses. Anders replies modestly as he lovingly grooms his horse Fury.

Anders was hopeful of semi-retirement to spend more time with his horses, but WWII changes everything.

Wounded and captures he is imprisoned by Russian soldiers only to face further regular beatings.

Following the German invasion, Stalin releases Anders for his own purpose. However, he was not expecting this wounded man to stand up to him so stubbornly in an effort to protect his men and the innocent civilians. Anders is in constant conflict with Stalin.

Anders’s shows this same love and devotion towards his men (soldiers) and innocent refugees, his country as he fights to save them from the wrath of Stalin. His goal is to win the war to stop the suffering and death of so many innocent families and soldiers so hopefully they can return their homeland Poland. When the opportunity presents itself, Anders unbelievably persuades Stalin to open the boarders so that the Polish refugee can leave.

Stalin agrees to release Anders Soldiers, but he did not want to release the civilian refugees, Anders insists so they can go with the army. This causes many problems for Anders such as having to sub-divide rations with his army. The soldiers already have too little to sustain them. The allies are not helping Anders as they do everything to appease Stalin.

Stalin believes Anders will do his bidding, but Anders has other ideas as he does not want his men to be used as cannon fodder.

Once Ander’s army is in Persia training, he is mystified at one of his regiments excelling in all areas. What is their secret? This curious change of behaviour is questioned by Anders. He visits the barracks. As the soldiers stand fearful of what may happen when Anders sees a bear cub, to everyone’s surprise, instead of saying ‘the bear must go’, he recommends larger quarters for the new furry recruit!

Anders faces an unbelievable dilemma when his army of skeletons reach Monti Casino. 200,000 men from the allied forces have already died in just 5 months trying to take this strategic spot. With top German crack snipers in place, no one can reach the top of Monti Casino – until Anders arrives.

[Fay Goodman]

ASSIGNMENT: FAY GOODMAN – Create a 3-Act structure ANDERS AND THE SOLDIER BEAR

WHAT HAVE I LEARNT FROM THIS ASSIGNMENT:

I have learnt this is a good exercise to revisit the script with a positive mindset to make sure the story maintains a sense of continuity in what is a very complex true story. I will revisit the script again to ensure the transitions between dates going forward in time then back work well. I feel this story being so complex would possibly benefit from a 4-act structure. Hopefully I can learn more about this as the course develops.

MISSION, VILLAIN AND ACTION

1 OPENING

PERSIA 1941

Shepherd boy, rescues bear cub from hunters who have killed his mother. Cub escapes and runs into the fast-flowing river. Chased by the hunters Shepherd boy rescues bear – but the hunters are still in pursuit.

EASTERN POLAND – HARVEST FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 1939

Ania is reading her book totally not interested in the festivities. Her parents are exasperated at their stubborn self-absorbed daughter who is long past her ‘being married with kids’ date at 21.

POLAND

The General is at home grooming his stallion. His Olympic achievements are raised by the stable boy in awe of his hero.

CAFE IN LWOW – Piotr is in the Polish army and arranges to meet long-term family friends. What starts out as a happy reunion turns into horror as a wireless presenter states the country is at war with Germany.

2 INCITING INCIDENT

Stalin is feeling smug with his plan for world domination as the pact with Hitler’s Germany has been signed.

POLAND – ANIA’S HOME – FEB 1940

Anna is still self-absorbed, not pulling her weight leaving everything to her younger sister Emilia. But as Russian trucks find their way into their village the shock of what is about to happen next totally changes the lives of Anna, her family and all the villagers.

3 FIRST TURNING POINT AT END OF ACT 1 – MID POINT

Soldiers Piotr, Jan and driver/interpreter Karim are transporting medical supplies to Tehran but need to stop for a rest and stretch their legs. Piotr unexpectedly finds the shepherd boy clutching a wriggling sack! Discovering the fate of the bear cub Piotr barters with the boy who reluctantly agrees to hand him over. With makeshift bottle and teat Piotr becomes a surrogate mother to the bewilderment of his comrades.

The General reaches his men only to be captured by the Russians. Imprisoned, tortured and mocked in Lublianka, Moscow his men are suffering in Siberian concentration camps

SECOND TURNING POINT AT END OF ACT 2

VILLAGE WEST POLAND – GENERAL ANDERS – RELEASED 4 August 1941

As Hitler does a U-turn on his Russian ally, Stalin summons Anders to use him and his soldiers as cannon fodder against the Germans. Stalin reluctantly agrees to release the refugees as well as the capture Polish soldiers, but he harbours a dreadful secret.

4 CRISIS – getting all the Polish soldiers and refugees out of Russia before Stalin changes his mind – which he does. Stalin’s horrendous secret has been revealed shocking the world – he authorised the massacre of 40,000 Polish Officers. Being found out but continuing his denial, he closes the borders to the Polish refugee exodus in April 1943 after Poland broke diplomatic relations with Soviet Union. Those who escape have a perilous journey as do those who remain desperate to find a way out.

5 CLIMAX – Taking Monte Casino, Italy – May 1944

With over 200,000 soldiers from allied forces having been killed trying to take Monte Casino, General Anders has an impossible task. With a stroke of genius General Anders plans a superb but bizarre mission which is the turning point to taking the monastery, at Monte Casino.

6 RESOLUTION – General Anders and his army won the battle but lost the war.

50 years on in Edinburgh Castle Gardens, Scotland at an important celebration in memory of Wojtek, a 7-year-old girl carefully places a small teddy bear at the base of the statue with many other children.

[Fay Goodman]

FAY GOODMAN

VILLIAN TRACK: ANDERS AND THE SOLDIER BEAR

What I learned doing this assignment is…?

I enjoyed pulling out the main characteristics of Stalin to offset against our hero General Anders. I want to improve the build-up and fighting scenes at the monastery in Monti Casino. This exercise has helped me to realise I had not challenged and connected the villain and hero enough to create the real tension through dialogue and action.

Whilst Stalin is many miles away at this particular section of the story and script, his actions dictate what our hero has to do. Fortunately, our hero is good at pre-empting Stalin’s moves which saves many lives and frustrates the hell out of our villain, Stalin!

VILLAIN: STALIN

HERO: GENERAL ANDERS (Polish commander)

VILLIAN:​ Stalin has world domination in his sights as WWII takes hold. His pact with Hitler will deceive the enemy until Hitler does a sneaky U-turn to invade Russia! Stalin is outwitted and enraged. As he has to take the full force of the German army, his plans have to change – fast!

PLAN: He intends to release imprisoned Anders and his skeleton troops to a certain death as cannon fodder against the Germans on the eastern front. But he is faced with the frustration of the allies not opening up the western front to support him.

ATTACK: Unbeknown to Stalin his plan to use Anders and his army will backfire as over xxxxx Russian soldier will perish at the hands of the Germans.

HERO: Anders in a stroke of genius knows his men will be sent to their death. Having trained in Moscow he is fully aware of the Russian mindset. Using a cleaver strategy, he secretly plans a safe exit from Russia for all the civilian refugees and his soldiers.

MEETING: Following a meeting with Churchill however, he reluctantly agrees to work with the allies to open up the western front through Italy. A plan Stalin, surprisingly, was demanding!

SURPRISE: But before Anders can make his mark, Germany, well aware Italy is vulnerable, send in a crack division to defend Monte Casino – the weak link to open up a corridor for the allies.

DECEPTION: Likened to a game of chess, Anders has to be one step ahead of Stalin. Stalin pretends he does not know what has happened to 20,00 0 Polish Generals and Ranking Officers. Stalin dismisses it as ‘they must be around somewhere’. But the devastating and horrific truth of this Villain catapults Anders into trying to get as many Polish people, out of Russia quickly and safely.

HOSTAGES: Stalin is furious and closes all boarders to trap the remaining unsuspecting Polish refugees. His cruel plan causes heartache and desperation amongst many refugees and their children. Anders is angry by Stalin’s deceptive action but has to protect those who have already escaped Stalin’s clutches.

HERO: Anders builds up his army and ensures the civilians and the unusual real soldier bear Wojtek is safe and thriving. Next stop the monastery at Monti Casino, Italy.

SIEGE:​ Anders is well aware various allied campaigns have totally failed to take this strategic position in Italy with over 200,000 already dead. But Anders is not to be defeated and comes up with an ingenious plan to avoid the German crack shooters and take the monastery with a most unbelievable and dangerous night-time operation.

ATTACK:​ Wojtek the bear plays his part well. He saves the day carrying heavy artillery as shooting and unarmed combat ensues.

HERO: In a bittersweet moment Anders and his soldiers are the only army to successful take back the monastery at Monti Casino and open the western front. This is a crucial turning point in WWII towards winning the war. Ironically, opening up the western front was just what Stalin wanted!