The Production GuideScript To Screen: Force Of Life
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideThere were at least two different drafts of the script for Force Of Life. The first was dated 15th May 1974; a new version was written dated 21st May 1974 (with "Force Of Life" marked as "working title"). There were blue page amendments on the 24th May, shortly before filming started on 28th May.
The original script opened with Zoref and his wife. In this version we don't see Koenig or any familiar characters until after the titles; perhaps this is why the 24th May script opens with Koenig and Bergman looking at the blue light (rather than red as described here). We do see Zoref and Eva being woken up, and the scene when he walks into the Nuclear Generator Area. The 24th May script also introduces the Alphans being frozen in place, and Zoref calling in panic.
"FORCE OF LIFE"
HOOK
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE SKY. SFX. 1
Moon seen in relation to the dark empty space sky. As
we HOLD, a small distant area of the space sky appears
to glow.
2 INT. MARRIED QUARTERS. 2
The bedroom is dimly lit. CAMERA PANS around establishing
the layout and HOLDS ON the bed. A young woman is asleep,
one arm sprawled across the double bed, one side of which
shows sign of having been recently vacated. A faint swish
is heard and two dividing doors open to reveal a dark,
intense-looking man standing in the doorway. Behind him
we can see the sitting room, part of the married quarters.
The man is ANTON ZOREF, the woman in the bed is EVA, his
wife. ZOREF holds out a belt with a commlock attached to it.
ZOREF moves into the room and looks at the sleeping figure
of his wife. He puts the belt around his waist. He turns
away and reacts to something outside the window.
3 EXT. SPACE SKY. SFX. 3
ZOREF'S P.O.V.
A small glowing red ball moves across the space sky.
Strange sound effects OVER.
4 INT. MARRIED QUARTERS.
ZOREF goes to the bed and shakes his wife.
ZOREF
(softly)
Eva...
EVA stirs and wakes.
ZOREF
I want to show you something...
EVA
(sleepily)
Can't it wait?
ZOREF
No...
CONTINUED:
2
4 CONTD.
EVA climbs out of the bed and follows ZOREF to the
window.
Look ...!
ZOREF
5 EXT. SPACE SKY. SFX. 5
EVA'S P.O.V.
The empty space sky.
6 INT. MARRIED QUARTERS. 6
EVA looks at ZOREF quizzically.
ZOREF
I saw something out there ...
EVA looks at him doubtfully.
EVA
I think you'd better have
some coffee
ZOREF looks at his commlock screen and sees the time.
ZOREF
I'd better get on duty.
He kisses EVA lightly and goes out.