Mulan (2020 film)/Transcript

[The film opens with the Disney logo before the scene cuts to black and fades up to the mountains of China in the morning as the sun rises.]

Mulan: (narrating) There have been many tales of the great warrior, Mulan. But, ancestors, this is my story. Long ago, an evil army called the Huns, led by Shan Yu, tried to conquer all of China, but were easily defeated by the Chinese Army of the Emperor, including my father, Hua Zhou. Zhou met a lovely woman named Li, my mother, and they've been married until I was born. That's me. I'm the young shoot, all green, unaware of the blade. If you had such a daughter, her chi, the boundless energy of life itself, speaking through me every motion, could you tell me that only a son could wield chi? That a daughter would risk shame, dishonor, exile? Ancestors, I couldn't.

[The scene shows young Mulan who places the chickens to their home at the house.]

Zhou: That's the last one. This way.

[A chicken squawks and escapes as young Mulan chases it.]

Zhou: Mulan! Forget the chicken! It will come back!

[Young Mulan continues to chase the chicken as she jumps over the dragon statue.]

Zhou: Careful!

[Young Mulan still chases the chicken as the scene goes to Hua Li who has a conversation with Grandma Hua as they hear it and a woman screams.]

Grandma Hua: Tell me your daughter is not the cause of this.

[The scene goes back to young Mulan who still chases the chicken again as a woman gasps and a baby cries.]

Li: Mulan! Take control of yourself!

Young Mulan: (giggling)

[Young Mulan climbs to the roof and makes the chicken fly back to the chicken home.]

Zhou: Mulan, listen to me very carefully, young lady!

[Young Mulan slips the tile and carefully sticks the landing.]

Zhou: No!

[Young Mulan lands on the ground, spins the staff and places her two fingers on her heart as Zhou feels impressed.]

Villagers: (grumbling)

[The scene goes to Mulan's bedroom at night.]

Young Mulan: Cri-Kee, what would happen if I'd fall off the roof? It was like I was the bird.

Cri-Kee: (chirps)

Young Mulan: Don't move, Khan. (whispers) There's a flea crawling inside your fur.

Khan: (whinnies softly)

Young Mulan: (to Cri-Kee) He said this isn't one of my tricks and he knows he doesn't have any fleas at all. (to Khan) Don't worry, if you hold very still, I'll just slice it to bits.

[The scene goes to Li and Zhou at the dining room.]

Li: It is because I'm trying to protect Mulan that I say this.

Zhou: Mulan is young. She's still learning how to control herself.

Li: You make excuses for her. You forget, Mulan is a daughter, not a son. A daughter brings honor through marriage to us all.

Zhou: Any man would be fortunate to marry our perfect daughter, intentionally.

Li: (scoffs) I ask you, what man will want to marry a woman who flits around rooftops and chases chickens? Mulan will be trained to become a bride. The matchmaker will find a good husband for her. It is Mulan I worry about. They'll call her a witch. It's time you talked to her.

[Mulan puts her sleeping clothes on and Zhou opens the door and walks onto her bed as Mulan walks over to him.]

Zhou: Mulan, do you know why the dragon was named Mushu? He was one of the guardians of China, the spirit of our family.

Young Mulan: But why would Mushu do such an awful thing?

Zhou: (chuckles) Apparently, it had something to do with your first ancestor. I think he'll be awakened very soon. Your chi is strong, Mulan. But chi is for warriors, not daughters. Soon, you'll be a young woman, and it is time for you to hide your gift away. To... To silence its voice. I say this to protect you. That is my oath. Your oath is to bring honor to your family.

Young Mulan: (sniffles)

Zhou: Do you think you can do that?

Young Mulan: Yes, Baba. I'll do it.

Zhou: Good girl.

[The scene fades up to a Xuan paper as the black ink brushes the mountains and the Great Wall while the credit comes up: "Disney presents" and then the title comes up: "Mulan". The scene fades up to the Great Wall of China and then the text comes up "The Great Wall of China". A guard walks as the falcon hits the guard's head while his helmet falls off. A guard sees the falcon land on the flagpole and the falcon screeches. The grappling hooks impale the wall as the guards see the Huns climb on the wall.]

Guard: Huns? It can't be. Set the beacon! Take out the leader! We're under attack!

[The door opens as two Hun warriors emerge as the guard gasps and dodges the Hun warrior's sword. The guard climbs up quickly as the Hun warrior chops down the ladder. The ladder crumbles while the guard holds onto the top and climbs up. He takes the torch and sees Shan Yu.]

Guard: (gasps) Shan Yu!

[Hayabusa lands on Shan Yu's shoulder and shrieks. The guard breathes heavily and lights the beacon after he throws the torch into it. The guards shout and light the beacon.]

Guard: Now all of China knows you're here.

[Shan Yu takes the flag and burns it while Hayabusa flies.]

Shan Yu: Perfect.

[The scene cuts to the Imperial City as the text comes up: "Imperial City" then the scene goes to the throne in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The emperor sits on the throne chair as the door opens and General Li and two guards enter the throne as they bow to the emperor.]

General Li: Your Majesty, the Huns have crossed the Northern Border. All trade has been disrupted. If we allow this to continue, it could be the end of our kingdom.

Chi Fu: Impossible. No one can get through the Great Wall.

General Li: Shan Yu is leading them. (The emperor looks concerned) We'll set up defenses around your palace immediately.

Emperor: No. Send your troops to protect my people.

Chi Fu: Yes, Your Majesty?

Emperor: Deliver conscription notices throughout all the provinces. Call up reserves and as many new recruits as possible.

General Li: Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I believe my troops can stop him.

Emperor: I won't take any chances, General. A single grain of rice can tip the scale. One man may be the difference between victory and defeat. (to Chi Fu) Here's my decree, Chi Fu. We will build a mighty army. Every family will supply one man. We'll protect the people of China, and crush Shan Yu and the Huns. Deploy the Chinese army. The dynasty will not be threatened.

Chi Fu: (bows to the Emperor) As you wish, Your Majesty.

[The scene fades up to Mulan's bedroom in the morning as Mulan picks one grain of rice with chopsticks. She brushes virtues on her arm.]

Mulan: Quite and demure. Graceful. Polite. Delicate. Refined. Poised. Punctual.

[The scene goes to a rooster where it crows then the scene goes back to Mulan who runs out of her room.]

Mulan: Ai-yah! Little brother! (blows air on her arm) Where are you? (sees Little Brother as he wakes up) Oh, there you are. (picks him up) Who's the smartest canine in China? (puts him down) Come on, smart man. Can you help me with my chores today?

[Mulan puts a bamboo stick on Little Brother's collar and ties a bone to a stick. Little Brother sees a bone and chases it as he drags a sack of feed. Mulan opens the door as Little Brother runs out of the door as the chickens peck the grain. The scene goes to Fa Zhou who prays the ancestors.]