Mulan (2023 Remake)/Transcript

[The film opens with the Disney logo before the scene cuts to a calligraphy as the credits come up: "Disney presents" and "in association with Tencent Pictures". The ink brushes to a young Fa Zhou who fights the Hun leader.]

Mulan: (narrating) Long ago, in ancient China, my father, Fa Zhou, served in the emperor's Chinese army as he fought the leader of the Hun named Shan Yu and vanquished him to the farthest forest along with his army. Afterwards, Fa Zhou had been congratulated by the Emperor. He met a woman named Li, who asked her to be his wife. She agreed as they were married to each other. She gave birth to me. During my childhood, I dreamt of becoming a warrior as my parents looked on proud of me. My father gave me the wooden sword as a birthday gift when I was 7 while my mother wanted me to bring honor to the family. And my name is Fa Mulan.

[The title fades up to "Mulan" as the title fades out and the scene fades to the Great Wall. The texts come up: "Great Wall, Beijing, China" and "10 Years Later". 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) Yes, 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.]