The Production GuideScript To Screen: The Exiles
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
The final shooting script for The Exiles by Donald James is dated 8th January 1976. The story had originally been written for the year one cast and format, so Maya had only a small role. At this stage, Koenig's second-in-command was still called Simon Hays. It was further changed with pink pages added on 2nd February.
Right is the script cover, with doodles by Martin Landau (thanks to Julie). Below is a page from the original script, with annotations by Landau which reflect how his character would react.
9
25 INT. TRAVEL TUNNEL - SFX.
The travel tube races towards CAMERA. It comes to
an abrupt stop.
26 INT. BOARDING TUBE/AIRLOCK.
The travel tube doors open and KOENIG and MAYA step
out, into the airlock.
Why Maya?
When we have expert astronauts?
THEIR P.O.V.
The doors of the Eagle open.
They move quickly into the Eagle. The doors close
behind them.
27 INT. COMMAND CENTRE.
ON SIMON
SIMON
Launch Eagle Four. BLAST OFF
28 EXT. LAUNCH PAD - SFX. 28
Eagle Four blasts off.
DISSOLVE through to:
29 INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION - MAIN UNIT/SFX.
KOENIG is watching the missiles on the pilot's screen.
Two of the missile float ahead of the others.
The first two Eagles sent up, can be seen
reconnoitering the missiles.
As KOENIG starts back to the Passenger Module.
KOENIG
(to PILOT)
Bring us in close to that
first pair.
presses button
Tony - we'll take it from here.
All other Eagles return to base.
30 INT. COMMAND CENTRE.
ON SIMON
SIMON
Eagle Flights one and two
return to base.
Copyright Martin Willey