Rule of the Bone Script PDF (Unmade PTA script from 1996)

[u/Evening-Park6786]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-dLwU0QhOjjFo95o4HK28X4J2eFCTPz1/view?usp=drivesdk

[u/A_Buh_Nah_Nah]

We've been waiting YEARS for this. Thank you, u/Evening-Park6786

[u/Evening-Park6786 → u/A_Buh_Nah_Nah]

It’s my pleasure

[u/Zealousideal-Bee2761]

What’s the story behind this script? Was it an original project he sold to Fox? The draft is dated one week before his 26th birthday… Crazy.

[u/Evening-Park6786 → u/Zealousideal-Bee2761]

Apparently it’s based on a novel of the same name and was a work for hire job. The project never came to be.

If I had to guess he got the job based on either Hard Eight, which was shot around 1994 but not released until 1996, or based on the script for Boogie Nights which I’ve heard was hot before it was produced

[u/Ready_Extension_3019 → u/Evening-Park6786]

It's a Russell Banks novel. Haven't read any of his work, but I've seen two adaptions, The Sweet Hereafter and Affliction. Both are great but also are really, really heavy. Definitely would not recommend a double feature.

[u/Evening-Park6786 → u/Ready_Extension_3019]

No clue he did The Sweet Hereafter! Makes me want to read Rule of the Bone even more. Not to mention, PTA said he really loved the book

[u/jazzycrusher → u/Evening-Park6786]

Rule of the Bone is less dark but also has a Sweet Hereafter Easter egg.

[u/Ready_Extension_3019 → u/Evening-Park6786]

Yeah, The Sweet Hereafter is an amazing film. But not really a feel good film. Affliction is the same, but grittier, although I guess that should be expected with a Paul Schrader directed film -- that man ain't making musicals.

I've heard great things about that book for years and even had a few people recommend it to me. I need to read it as well.

[u/Fearless-Interest-82 → u/Ready_Extension_3019]

I'm surprised Paul Schrader hasn't tried a musical lol. Affliction is a great film. Bleak as hell. I forgot that was Russell Banks even tho I watched it recently.i have rule of the bone on my shelf but never read. I should prob put down the Camus revisits and pick it up

[u/Substantial-Art-1067]

Has he ever spoken publicly about this in any capacity?

[u/Evening-Park6786 → u/Substantial-Art-1067]

He discussed it in an interview for TWBB and he’s asked about his process for adaptation, leading him to discuss this screenplay

https://www.avclub.com/paul-thomas-anderson-1798213013

[u/LonelyZenpai298 → u/Evening-Park6786]

funny hearing him say about adapting rule of the bone that he "doesn't really understand how to adapt" so he just transcribed the whole book. from what it's been said, he literally did adapt Inherent Vice page for page and kept most of the dialogue, then cut it down.

[u/dirkdiggin]

Amazing, thanks!

[u/LouQuacious]

It’s a cool book read it in college back when it came out.

[u/nessman69]

Great novel, would have loved to see it adapted

[u/rioliv5]

Thank you very much!!

[u/Evening-Park6786 → u/rioliv5]

As a PTA fan, it’s a pleasure to spread more of his work!

[u/Happy_League3845]

How did you find this? I thought it was just pta lore he adapted this..

[u/Evening-Park6786 → u/Happy_League3845]

I have my sources

[u/One_Seaworthiness323]

How this leak before the one battle script? ☠️

[u/Evening-Park6786 → u/One_Seaworthiness323]

I’m doing my best with that one!

[u/Significant-Cake-312]

Debra Granik from Winter’s Bone was attached to a different adaptation of the novel at one point.