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INTRODUCTION
Gandalf the Grey, a good wizard, has been looking for many years for a very powerful magic ring, the ring of power. He wants to stop the ring falling into the hands of the evil Sauron, Lord of Mordor. Gandalf discovered that the ring was held by a friendly hobbit, a curious race of small creatures with hairy feet, who are also called Halflings. Now the ring has been given to a young hobbit called Frodo, who has begun a long journey towards Mordor, the only place where the ring can be destroyed. The evil Lord Sauron wants to find the ring in order to gain power over the whole world. Sauron has sent 9 black riders to the place where the hobbits live, The Shire, in order to find the ring.
Gandalf is now going to visit another powerful wizard, Saruman, to ask for his help. Saruman commands an army of fierce creatures called Orcs. Saruman also owns a magical crystal ball called a palantir, a seeing-stone which allows him to see what is happening in other places a long way away.
Gandalf is riding on his horse towards Isengard, the home of Saruman, who is now looking into the crystal ball, the palantir . . .
Saruman (voice over) Smoke rises once more from the mountain of doom...the shadow takes shape in the darkness of Mordor; the hour grows late...and Gandalf the Grey rides to Isengard seeking my counsel...
Narrator The strange tower of Orthanc... a solid pillar of black stone...rises up in the center of Isengard. Gandalf arrives at the foot of the Orthanc Stairs.
We see: SARUMAN, THE WHITE WIZARD as he sweeps down the great stairs.
Saruman For that is why you have come, is it not, my old friend?
Narrator Gandalf moves quickly towards him, grimy and weary from his long ride.
Gandalf Saruman!
Narrator We see the ISENGARD GARDENS -- DAYTIME Gandalf and Saruman walk slowly between the beautiful trees. Saruman's clean, white robe contrasts with Gandalf's dusty grey robes.
Saruman Are you sure of this?
Gandalf Beyond any doubt.
Saruman So the ring of power has been found?
Gandalf All these long years it was in the Shire, under my very nose.
Saruman And yet you did not have the wit to see it! Your love of the Halfling's leaf has clearly slowed your mind.
Gandalf We still have time...time enough to counter Sauron...if we act quickly.
Saruman Time? What time do you think we have?
Narrator We see Saruman and Gandalf are seated in a small room to the side of the enormous central chamber.
Saruman Sauron has regained much of his former strength. He cannot yet take physical form...but his spirit has lost none of its potency. Concealed within his fortress, the lord of Mordor sees all. His gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth, and flesh. You know of what I speak, Gandalf...a great Eye, lidless, wreathed in flame.
Gandalf (softly) The eye of Sauron.
Saruman He is gathering all evil to him. Very soon he will have summoned an army great enough to launch an assault upon Middle earth.
Gandalf You know this? How?
Saruman I have seen it.
Narrator Gandalf and Saruman stride toward a stone plinth on which a sphere like shape is draped with a cloth...
Gandalf A palantir is a dangerous tool, Saruman.
Narrator Saruman lifts the cloth to reveal the Palantir.
Saruman Why? Why should we fear to use it?
Gandalf They are not all accounted for, the lost seeing-stones...we do not know who else may be watching.
Narrator Gandalf throws the cloth back over the Palantir,
but as the cloth falls we see an image of: A FIERY EYE!
Saruman sits upon his throne.
Saruman The hour is later than you think. Sauron's forces are already moving...the Nine have left Minas Morgul.
Gandalf (shocked) The nine!
Saruman They crossed the river Isen in Midsummer's eve, disguised as riders in black.
Gandalf (alarmed) They have reached the Shire?
Narrator Saruman shrugs...
Saruman They will find the ring...and kill the one who carries it.
Narrator Gandalf backs away and turns to run to the door...horrified as the doors suddenly slam shut.
Saruman You did not seriously think a Hobbit could contend with the will of Sauron? There are none who can.
Narrator Gandalf slowly turns to Saruman...a look of dawning horror.
Saruman Against the power of Mordor, there can be no victory. We must join with him, Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend.
Gandalf (deadly) Tell me, friend, when did Saruman the wise abandon reason for madness?
Narrator At that moment: Gandalf is suddenly blasted across the room! He slams against the wall...pinned there by some unseen force. With sudden effort, Gandalf wrenches himself off the wall and swings his staff on Saruman...blasting him off his feet! Gandalf and Saruman battle, powerful blasts throwing them across the room!
Narrator Saruman Screams, His eyes BLAZING! Gandalf's staff is suddenly wrenched from his grasp...it flies across the chamber into Saruman's hand! Gandalf is flung to the floor.
Saruman I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly, but you have elected the way of pain.
Narrator Gandalf is breathing hard on the floor, his eyes look into the madness of Saruman... Commanding two staffs, Saruman sends Gandalf into a sickening spin. Gandalf tumbles towards the top of the chamber...as if falling in reverse.
We see it is NIGHT time. Saruman stands over the Palantir, his hands cupping the massive eye.
Saruman (whisper) The power of Isengard is at your command, Sauron, Lord of the Earth.
Narrator BLACK SPEECH FILLS THE ROOM...ADMIST THE HARSH, GUTTURAL WORDS THE VOICE OF Saruman EMERGES. He is talking to the army of Orcs.
Saruman Build me an army worthy of Mordor.
Narrator We see. ISENGARD -- NIGHT : Gandalf...lying unconscious on a cold black floor. He wakes to the sound of ripping and tearing...rising onto his knees...lifting his head... Gandalf stands. We see him stranded on the high summit. He is marooned on the tiny, flat peak of the tower, surrounded on all sides by a sheer 200 metre DROP. Another whispering wail rends the air. Gandalf crosses quickly to the edge and peers down:
One of the beautiful trees is being ripped from the ground by the ORCS. Gandalf looks on in Horror as ORCS hack into the trunk with axes. SARUMAN stands in Rain looking out into the dark night...
We see: MORE AND MORE TREES are pulled down and killed...as Gandalf looks on in helpless despair.
Narrator We see ORTHANC SUMMIT -- NIGHT SARUMAN stands over Gandalf, gloating...
Saruman Get up! So much for the power of the Ring or embrace your own destruction!
Narrator With the power of his staff, Saruman raises Gandalf from the ground, then sends him crashing to the floor.
Gandalf There is only one Lord of the Ring. Only one who can bend it to his will...and he does not share power.
Narrator SUDDENLY! GANDALF lurches to his feet and Throws himself off the Tower! Saruman watches Gandalf fly away from Isengard...on the Back of a GIANT EAGLE.