This is the theme music of a naval battle movie script i am writing. Holst – The Planets (Mars) God of war.
Title: Battleship Bismarck
Genre: Historical Drama / War
Tagline: “The sea has its legends, and Bismarck was its titan.”
Opening Scene
(May 18, 1941 – Kiel, Germany)
The scene opens with the mighty battleship Bismarck being prepared for her maiden voyage. Crew members hustle aboard, their faces a mix of pride and determination. Admiral Günther Lütjens stands on the bridge, gazing out as dock workers cheer.
ADMIRAL LÜTJENS (stoic): “Today, the Reich unveils its vengeance upon the seas.”
Bismarck sails under the cover of night, joined by the cruiser Prinz Eugen.
Act 1: The Hunt Begins
(May 21, 1941 – Bergen, Norway)
After refueling, the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen enter the North Atlantic. British intelligence intercepts reports of their movement.
Cut to Admiral John Tovey in a British naval command room:
TOVEY (firm): “We cannot let this monster run free. All ships are to intercept—no exceptions.”
HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales are dispatched to intercept Bismarck, setting the stage for confrontation.
Act 2: The Battle of Denmark Strait
(May 24, 1941)
Bismarck encounters Hood and Prince of Wales. The battle is ferocious, with fire raining down on all sides. The crew aboard the Bismarck cheers as a direct hit detonates Hood’s magazine, splitting her in two.
CAPTAIN ERNST LINDENMANN (shocked but resolute): “One battle, one victory. But the war is far from over.”
Prince of Wales escapes under heavy damage. Admiral Lütjens orders Bismarck to head toward France for repairs. However, a critical fuel tank has been damaged during the fight.
Act 3: The Chase
British ships and planes relentlessly pursue Bismarck. Scenes of the crew working tirelessly to keep the ship afloat are intercut with British forces coordinating attacks.
ADMIRAL LÜTJENS (to the crew): “We may not return, but we will be remembered. Stand your ground!”
A dramatic airstrike by British Swordfish torpedo bombers cripples Bismarck’s rudder. With her steering compromised, she is forced to circle in the Atlantic.
Act 4: The Final Battle
(May 27, 1941)
The Royal Navy surrounds Bismarck. HMS King George V and HMS Rodney unleash their firepower. Bismarck’s crew fights valiantly, but the onslaught is overwhelming.
CAPTAIN LINDENMANN (to the crew): “Scuttle the ship. She will not fall intact into enemy hands.”
The Bismarck sinks into the depths. Survivors cling to debris, watching as British ships approach. Admiral Lütjens is seen saluting as the water engulfs him.
Closing Scene
(Flashforward – 1989)
The wreck of the Bismarck is discovered on the ocean floor. A deep-sea submersible explores the remains.
DR. ROBERT BALLARD (voiceover): “Bismarck’s legacy is a reminder of the human cost of war—a story of courage, hubris, and tragedy.”
The camera pans across the wreckage, fading into archival footage of the battleship in her prime. The screen fades to black with the words:
“Dedicated to the men on both sides who fought and died in the Atlantic War.”
END CREDITS roll over somber orchestral music.
