FADE IN:

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD -- NIGHT

A fine gilded carriage rocks, and CLACKS down a foggy road.

                      SADE(VOICE OVER)

... You must prepare your heart, and your mind, for the most impure tale that has ever been told since our world began ...

EXT. GATED GRAVEYARD ENTRANCE -- NIGHT

SUBTITLE:  " FRANCE 1840"

The carriage arrives at the iron gates, where an OLD MAN holds them open and allows the carriage to pass inside.

INT. CARRIAGE -- CONTINUOUS

40 year-old gaunt DR. RAMON, rides with DR. SPURZHEIM, 50, who has a stiff collar and fondles a gold-knobbed cane.

DOCTOR RAMON

I was a medical student then.  I saw him in the halls often undressed, walking along in his sad, tired way.  Unfriendly little man.

Spurzheim strokes his long moustache.  Ramon looks distant.

DOCTOR RAMON

He never impressed me as anything but a brooding penniless aristocrat.

DOCTOR SPURZHEIM

This will prove conclusively the absolute truth of which we speak.

DOCTOR RAMON

Yes, it will be so clear.  Sad that my theories of human behavior are only now being recognized.

Spurzheim shoots a disapproving eye at Ramon, which he doesn't note.

EXT. GRAVESITE -- LATER

Two LABORERS hoist a coffin out of the ground and load it on the carriage while the doctors in their long capes supervise and hold handkerchiefs to their pale faces.

INT. LABORATORY -- DAY

Bright lights shine off many polished human skulls of various shapes lining the shelves, all meticulously tagged or labeled.

There are charts on the wall with the brain compartmentalized into Feeling, Sensation, Emotion, Thinking, Memory, Pleasure, Pain, etc.  Different-sized brains float in jars as candles heat flasks full of cloudy liquid.  Caged animals make frantic, nasty NOISES.  Operating tables glisten.

The doctors measure some skull sizes with gleaming instruments.  Then, they examine an unlabeled skull with a magnifying glass.  They hold it up to their ears, and tap it with several instruments.

DOCTOR SPURZHEIM

Such a brilliant idea, Doctor Ramon.  It's obvious, this skull is that of an otherwise great human being.

DOCTOR RAMON

But how else could it be, I ask you?  It is similar in all ways to that of Napoleon, and Voltaire.

He points to two places on the smooth white skull surface.

MATCH DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD -- DAY

Close-up of a smooth shiny stone embedded in the dirt.

SUBTITLE: "87 YEARS BEFORE,  FRANCE, 1740"

HORSE's HOOFS and CARRIAGE WHEELS THUNDER.  The coach's wheel rolls over the smooth round stone, grinding it into the dusty road and causing a violent jerking motion.

INT. THE CARRIAGE -- CONTINUOUS

The bejeweled, goateed but meek-looking clergyman ABBE DE SADE, 30, has papers and charts spread out on the seats when the coach's shaking causes everything to fall and blow around.

ABBE DE SADE

Driver!  You idiot!  I'm engaged in crucial work!  Fool.

The Abbe looks outside.  The coach is approaching a fortified hilltop chateau with a central square tower overlooking miles of farmlands in every direction.

Reveal a FEMALE sitting opposite him in the coach, massaging his feet between her legs.  The Abbe makes a lewd tongue gesture and she pulls down one side of dress to expose a breast.  She pushes herself further down on his feet while he extends his legs further out between hers and gazes up at the chateau.

ABBE DE SADE

(musing)

Ah, my dear brother, what more trouble have you wrought now?

EXT. CHATEAU LA COSTE -- CONTINUOUS 

Full screen shot of the Sade family coat of arms--a sun with golden rays bearing aloft a crowned and well-endowed male falcon with spread wings of sable, mounted on a stone wall.

Sounds of the ROLLING CARRIAGE and HORSE's HOOFS approach.  Reveal that the family coat of arms is hanging above the portcullis, and a drawbridge spanning the moat leading into the chateau.

INT. THE CARRIAGE -- CONTINUOUS

The Abbe gathers his papers and charts, one from 1177 A.D. starting with a descendant of Charlemagne LOUIS DE SADE at the head of his family's line; another from 1355 A.D. of HUGUES DE SADE, and his wife LAURA DE SADE from which sprouts yet another branch of the family tree headed by PETRARCH. 

The woman rides away with the coach.

INT. CHATEAU LA COSTE -- LATER

Tall 25 year-old COUNT DE SADE with pointy goatee and mustache in red military uniform, greets the small Abbe with a sweeping manner, and they embrace.

COUNT DE SADE

Always the greatest of pleasures to welcome my favorite brother.  Come.

The Abbe de Sade with hands folded, follows his rakish brother up a grand staircase, shaking his head.

ABBE DE SADE

I cannot understand. To a convent?  It is a crime to abandon the child after birth.   

COUNT DE SADE

She tries to punish me for trivial infidelities.  She is the criminal.

The Count makes a hand-signal to a SERVANT, who bows.

At the head of stairs, the Count opens a heavy door leading into a library with a balcony looking over the entire estate.

IN THE LIBRARY

The servant brings a carafe of red liquor on a tray and serves them each a glass.  He stands by.

COUNT DE SADE

Donatien will not lack for mothering.  It will be nothing to rub out that negligent woman's memory.

ABBE DE SADE

I remind you of the obvious -- Mlle de Longeville is not of the mothering persuasion.

The Count gulps down the liquor and massages the empty glass.

COUNT DE SADE

I will raise him.  My own devotion will not waver.

The servant pours him more and they go out onto the balcony.  Below are fountains, gardens, stables, an intricate maze of flowering bushes.

ABBE DE SADE

But you cannot raise him properly.

COUNT DE SADE

When I am on diplomatic missions he will live with his mother's family in the Bourbon Palace . 

The Count drinks half of his glass, and coughs unhealthily.

COUNT DE SADE

The royal governess has kindly agreed to raise Prince Louis-Henri and Donatien under her supervision.

The Abbe makes a Wait-And-See look by an upward brow movement. 

There are loud heavy STOMPINGS of someone approaching the room.  The door is thrown open and short plump MADAME MARIE DE SADE sans wig, with an open letter in her hand, storms toward her husband.  She slaps the glass out of his hand.

MADAME MARIE DE SADE

Don't ever humiliate me in the King's Court again!  Writing that your whores will care for my child in the summers.

COUNT DE SADE

During the summers, Donatien will be with me.  And whoever.

He turns his back on her.  She calmly pours a glass of liguor, and spits in it before she empties it down his collar, causing him to cringe.  Then, she kicks him in the rear end.

MADAME MARIE DE SADE

Donatien will stay at my family's palace!  With my family! 

She shoves the servant out of her way upon leaving.

The Abbe stands beside his brother, who remains impassively staring out over his vast property.

EXT. CHATEAU LA COSTE -- NIGHT

Carriage after carriage of finely dressed nobles arrive for a ball, men wearing wigs, powdered, or with consecutive rows of ring curls, ruffled neck and cuffs, buckle shoes and lower leg stockings.  Military officers wear capes, tri-cornered hats or flat halfmoon hats with insignia and badge emblazoned, button ribbed coats, or topcoats.  Women wear sheens of silk, bustles, powdered wigs and tresses, waving fans.

INT. BALLROOM -- NIGHT 

The Main Ballroom is filled with nobles, gaiety, and dancing to Baroque music.  The Abbe and Count amble among the guests. 

Seated is MADAME DE MONTREUIL age 30 with long neck and pleasant buxom figure, pregnant, and provocative laugh and eyes.  Her husband has long muttonchop sideburns in the gentlemanly style of the day, stiff winged collar and lacey jeweled ascot.

The Abbe spies the Montreuil 's who acknowledge him, and he taps the Count's arm, to follow him there for introductions.

ABBE DE SADE

Madame de Montreuil, Monsieur, allow me introduce you to my brother. 

The Count kisses the Madame's hand.

COUNT DE SADE

Congratulations are in order on your state, Madame de Montreuil. 

She bows her head a touch, as an expression of thanks.

MME. DE MONTREUIL

Congratulations are due to you, as well, Count, on your magnificent master stroke of diplomacy.

MONSIEUR MONTREUIL

Yes, bravo, Count, convincing Clement Augustus to abdicate his claims and avoid certain conflict.

The Count bows to them, appearing almost sarcastic to the Abbe.

COUNT DE SADE

For France, Madame de Montreuil.  Monsieur.  Please, enjoy my home. 

They all smile politely.  He kisses her hand, and moves on.

COUNT DE SADE

Who are they, I have never seen them? 

ABBE DE SADE

Part of the new nobility.  He buys and sells the right to collect taxes. 

They pass the alluring MLLE DE CHAROLAIS whom the Count snubs. 

ABBE DE SADE(looking back)

And, what of the Mlle de Charolais?

COUNT DE SADE

(nastily)

And what of your catamites, brother?  Yes, the Mlle is not one to accept rivals, either.  She called my manhood insignificant.  Hah. 

The Abbe wiggles his specs at the Count in admonishment.

ABBE DE SADE

I'll hear your confession, Count.

The Count and Abbe resume greeting guests.  The Abbe looks back at Mlle de Charolais who has an indignant expression. 

ABBE DE SADE

I pray that snub doesn't cost you with the King.  She is connected to Richelieu, who is arranging for her with Louis.

COUNT DE SADE

If that were so, then I am a mere step.

INT. A BEDROOM -- LATER

The ABBE DE SADE, and handsome COUNT DE SADE march into the large chamber where the infant DONATIEN DE SADE, the future Marquis dressed in his baby's fine silk, is suckling in the arms of a WET NURSE.  The male servant attends to the Abbe and Count with goblets of wine, and a tray of food.  They hover over the infant Marquis who feeds contentedly.

The cleric massages the nurse's other breast, while she looks shocked and insulted, but resigned.

ABBE DE SADE

A-ahhhh ...  Fine, fine child.

COUNT DE SADE

Yes, quite calm.

He pulls the infant's chin away from the breast with a smile.

COUNT DE SADE

Donatien, may I present your uncle, Abbe de Sade.  The most unforgiving man of God!

The Count and Abbe laugh.

ABBE DE SADE

To the future Marquis de Sade.  May he learn his lessons well!

INT. HALLWAY -- LATER 

The Count turns a corner into the hall, and Mlle de Charolais is behind shadows.

MLLE DE CHAROLAIS

Jean...

COUNT DE SADE

Mlle, you need not lie in wait.

Her big dress SCRAPES as she slides along the wall toward him.

MLLE DE CHAROLAIS

You've been avoiding me, Jean.  All night.

COUNT DE SADE

I am not sport, Mlle, on your way up the social scale of the Royal court.

MLLE DE CHAROLAIS

It's Richelieu , he forces me.  Please, Jean...

She puts her hand on his chest coquettishly.  The Count yanks it off him.

He walks off.  Mlle looks furious.

MLLE DE CHAROLAIS

You, you, and your whole family, be cursed with the emnity of the world!

INT. BEDROOM -- NIGHT

The Count and Abbe are studying the family's geneological charts at the table, when a FEMALE SERVANT with a crucifix dangling on her chest, bends forward to place down a tray.

As he tastes the wine, the Abbe squeezes her buttock and genitals, and she jerks away from him with a terrified GASP.

ABBE DE SADE

I said chilled wine, not this! 

The Abbe whips down the goblet and the servant CRIES, causing the infant to WAIL.  The servant bows and hurries out. 

The Abbe strides over impatiently to the infant and looks back at the Count.

ABBE DE SADE

May I, brother?

COUNT DE SADE(turning away)

By all means.

The Abbe picks up the child by one leg upside down, pulls down his pants and exposes tiny Donatien's soiled buttocks.

OFF CAMERA he pokes his finger somewhere and wiggles it as the child SQUEALS. 

ABBE DE SADE

We have to cure him of this nasty instinct he has of showing distress at the least suffering of a servant.

He smells his finger, and goes stomping across the room.

ABBE DE SADE

It's bad enough we have to make these commoners accept their lot.  We don't have to acknowledge their misery.

He continues to smell his finger. 

INT./EXT. LAVISH BEDROOM -- DAY 

SUBTITLE: FIVE YEARS LATER.  THE BOURBON PALACE , PARIS 

The view is a sea of Paris rooftops from a big window.  Barefoot LABORERS work precariously on the steep roofs with crude tools, making repairs.

Reveal this view being down the sight of a musket barrel, with a wide-eyed and fanciful COUNT DE CHAROLAIS at the trigger. 

COUNT DE CHAROLAIS

This is one of my favorite sports.  Look, I will hit that body there.

He FIRES, and the bullet STRIKES the roof next to a terrified WORKER.  The worker slides partway down the roof SCREAMING, and manages to grab a chimney support while others attempt to rescue him.

COUNT DE CHAROLAIS

Hah--Hah!  Ho-ho-ho!  Hah-hah-hah!

The Count hops about the room joyously.  The rapt presence of six-year old Donatien watching is revealed while he does so.  Donatien cuddles a white kitty in his arms as the ten-year old PRINCE LOUIS-HENRI sneers at him.  The Count twirls his gun, reveling in the dose of peril he just administered. 

COUNT DE CHAROLAIS

Will they make it?  Will they all die?  Will some die?  Ha-hah!  Hah-hah-hah!  Only God knows! 

A finely dressed SERVANT stands blindly at attention with a pistol and another loaded musket at the ready for the Count.

The Count brings Donatien to the window and puts the pistol in his hand, helping the child sight some scrambling workers.

INT. PALACE CORRIDOR -- DAY 

Donatien is by himself, playing with the fine white kitty, smiling, and is watched suspiciously by the older Prince.

INT. COURTROOM -- AFTERNOON 

An old wizened JUDGE listens to a POLICEMAN while the Count de Sade stands in a Defendant's Box.

POLICEMAN

At 11:00 PM, the Count de Sade, after two turns around the bench, sat down.  He greeted me, and suggested... illegal acts...

JUDGE

Enough stammering.  Tell me what he said.

POLICEMAN

He said ... he could put his rod to me, even though another had just shaken it.  That, he could take me to dine, and to bed with him, and--

JUDGE

Enough.  What have you to say, Sieur de Sade? 

COUNT DE SADE

Absurd, Sire.  I am a close friend of the Duchess de La Roche-Guyon.

JUDGE

The court is ready to render its judgment.  Count Jean-Baptiste de Sade, Lord of La Coste, you shall sign a formal 'Promise To Behave'.

He slams the gavel.

POLICEMAN

But, Sire, this will be his fourth solemn 'Promise To Behave' this year. The Count is incorrigible. 

JUDGE

Silence.  In the name of the King I have ruled. 

The judge descends the bench, approaching the Count from the side. 

JUDGE

In the future, any 'philosophical love' you engage in to escape the monotony of your regular erotic activities, watch for such flies. 

The Judge proceeds to exit, then turns back to the Count. 

JUDGE(CONT.)

And, for a man like you, Count de Sade, so proud, and well-known for his fine mistresses...

The judge shakes his head at the apparent contradiction.

EXT. TUILERIES GARDENS -- DAY

NOBLES are seen strolling and riding on manicured trails, playing croquet, and practicing archery.  KING LOUIS IV laughs with his close entourage including Mlle de Charolais, CARDINAL RICHELIEU, Mme de Rousillon.  All have distinctive sausage-shaped noses, brows low over the face, and large lower jaws characteristic of the Bourbon dynasty.  SERVANTS stand ready with trays of drinks and food. 

INT. PALACE HALLWAY-- DAY 

Prince Louis-Henri places a plate of food down for the cat, which it happily licks up.  The prince grins as the cat starts twitching, and wrenching in agony.  He takes the plate away.

INT. PALACE HALLWAY -- LATER

Donatien sits stonefaced on a fine embroidered couch, with the stiff, twisted cat in his arms.

INT. PALACE HALLWAY -- DAY 

Donatien and the prince are playing armies, when Donatien explodes a pretend-bomb next to Louis-Henri, and shoves his playmate into the wall for emphasis. 

PRINCE LOUIS-HENRI

How dare you, you impudent little Marquis!  For that, surrender your army and kneel before your master! 

SADE

Never!  It is my army.  I killed your army!

PRINCE LOUIS-HENRI

You can not kill my army.  Yours belongs to me, surrender.

SADE

No.  Surrender your army.  I won. 

PRINCE LOUIS-HENRI

I am your master, I am a prince!  Everything belongs to me by virtue of my rank! 

The prince tries to knock over Donatien's army pieces but he is pummeled into senselessness by a posessed younger Marquis. 

SADE

Never, never.    No one is my master.  You poisoned my kitty.  Killer!

MME DE ROUSILLON rushes onto the scene in time to save the prince.  Two impeccably-dressed servants pull Donatien away.

EXT. SAUMANE CASTLE -- DAY

A gloomy castle with bastions, and openings for canons crowns a rocky mountaintop.  The Abbe's carriage ascends to the castle by a steep stony trail next a rushing stream, with the Abbe and morose 6 year-old Donatien inside. 

 On the way, they stop at a gravesite.  A village sits in the valley below.  Crickets TRILL and gnats swarm.

ABBE DE SADE

This is the grave of your great ancestor, Laura.  The place where the poet Petrarch sought and was afforded refuge by her.  They had a family.

Donatien studies the barren patch of land. 

ABBE DE SADE(CONT)

Not a trace remains.

INT. SAUMANE CASTLE -- LATER 

The Abbe and Donatien are greeted by a manservant GASPAR, and enter a soaring foyer.  Donatien walks down a side corridor during the following conversation between the Abbe and his servant. 

GASPAR

You have brought the young charge.

ABBE DE SADE

Yes.  We shall provide invaluable religious and academic instruction to my nephew. 

Donatien spots a dark doorway in a recessed portico, and goes toward it.  It is locked and bolted shut, with encrusted dust and cobwebs.

GASPAR

How did you find the Count de Sade?

ABBE DE SADE

What to say, what to say?  His life is tortured by so many excesses.  Problems at the Court, problems at home.  Agh, what to say. 

The female seen earlier in the carriage, now pregnant, and her teenage DAUGHTER, appear together and bow.  The Abbe hand-motions for them not to bow, but to follow him into a nearby room instead. 

ABBE DE SADE(to Gaspar)

I will take my supper in bed.

The Abbe closes the large door and giggles are heard inside. 

INT. SAUMANE LIBRARY -- NIGHT 

SERIES OF SHOTS 

A) Donatien reads on the library floor while the Abbe works at his desk. 

B) The teenage servant interrupts, bringing some papers and dangling her cleavage before the Abbe, then his uncle leaves. 

B) He sees the "Memoirs Of The Life Of Francesco Petrarchus" by the Abbe de Sade, on the desk.  He looks in the drawers. 

C) Donatien finds a single old key in the desk and takes it. 

INT. SAUMANE CASTLE HALLWAY-- NIGHT 

Walking in the hall Donatien hears the servant mother and teenage daughter yelling in pleasure from the Abbe's bedroom.  He listens.

MOTHER

You devil!  You priest!  You Father! 

DAUGHTER

You have me--please take me, our father!  You are so bad! 

They HUFF in exhausted pleasure, and GROAN with satisfaction.

ABBE DE SADE

Yes, yes, my children, yes! 

INT. CORRIDOR -- NIGHT 

SERIES OF SHOTS 

A) Holding a candle, Donatien approaches the mysterious locked door with the cobwebs, and he puts the key in it.  It unlocks. 

B) Donatien descends steep narrow stairs into a great cellar.  There are tiny cells, yokes, chains and manacles strewn about. 

C) Echoes of SCREAMING, GASPING, GROANING, WHIPPING, bones CRACKING.

INT. SAUMANE LIBRARY -- DAY 

SERIES OF SHOTS 

A) Donatien studying Latin and Greek authors with the Abbe. 

SADE

I prefer Virgil, over Homer's tale, Father. 

The Abbe looks amused at his adorable, innocent nephew. 

B) The Abbe SLAMS down some papers, furious at Donatien. 

C) The Abbe whips Donatien's buttocks. 

ABBE DE SADE

How many times, before you learn the irregular form of the word 'daughter', filia, filia-bus!

INT. HALLWAY -- DAY 

Puzzled Donatien observes much COMMOTION, with people entering and exiting the servants' quarters.  Piercing SCREAMS of pain echo through the halls, and he wanders by the source, a cold dirty room where the servant mother is being held down on the bed by men and women with her legs open, and he studies from afar the bloody torment, and agony on the mother's face. 

This is followed by enormous relief, LAUGHTER and celebration, as an infant is born.

INT. SAUMANE LIBRARY -- DAY 

The library door is open a crack and Donatien listens to the Abbe and his father the Count de Sade talking, while he watches the Abbe take a book from a hidden cranny in the wall and give it his brother, who opens it. 

COUNT DE SADE

Ah, yes, "History Of The Flagellants: The Good And Bad Uses".

ABBE DE SADE

I question whether there any bad uses of flagellation.

COUNT DE SADE

The question is not whether there are good or bad uses, but whether it is best to discipline oneself on the back, or on the buttocks.  Personally, the most pleasurable suffering arouses from the arse.

They laugh heartily.

COUNT DE SADE

Do not show this to Donatien, yet. 

ABBE DE SADE

No, no, of course not.  Tell me, is he not short for his age?

COUNT DE SADE

I don't think.  He must get a commission in the army, I intend for him to have a great impact. 

INT. SAUMANE LIBRARY -- NIGHT 

Donatien steals into the library with a candle, and goes to the hidden cranny, out of which he pulls, "The History of the Flagellants", and a second illustrated volume, "The Bordello, Or Everyman Debauched".  He eagerly reads them. 

INT. SAUMANE CASTLE -- MORNING 

Donatien is following Gaspar when he hears the LOUD VOICES of the two servant women.  The Abbe appears around a corner with the mother chasing behind him, and her daughter carrying the recently born infant. 

MOTHER

About the prostitute in the village, that Marie!  All the world will know about the libertine priest of Saumane! 

The Abbe makes a mocking hand gesture of dismissal at her, then he opens a letter given to him by Gaspar.  An ecstatic expression comes to his face.