Tapestry fairy tale being woven in fast-motion, with elements of the story (Despereaux in high action in each) being embroidered into it with a needle, and the following words being woven into it on flat scrolls that unroll:
V.O.
FOR WANT OF A NEEDLE, THE SOUP WAS LOST…
(Image of needle, spool of red thread)
V.O.
FOR WANT OF THE SOUP, THE QUEEN WAS LOST…
(Rat falls in soup, queen screams)
V.O.
FOR WANT OF THE QUEEN, THE LIGHT WAS LOST…
(Kingdom turning gray)
V.O.
FOR WANT OF THE LIGHT, THE BATTLE WAS LOST…
(Rats gathering around Despereaux)
V.O.
FOR WANT OF THE BATTLE, THE KINGDOM WAS LOST…
(King strumming lute and weeping)
V.O.
AND ALL FOR THE SAKE OF A SINGLE NEEDLE…
Cut to scene from the movie:
E.C.U.
Despereaux’s eye, a needle raised gleaming in the light reflected in his tiny black eye.
HOVIS
EVERY KNIGHT NEEDS A SWORD.
Despereaux takes it, slowly…it glows like a bulb.
HOVIS
GO GET YOUR PRINCESS.
Shots of the flashing sword and action scenes building to the sword needle sewing out
TITLE
“THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX”
WRITERS: ROBYN PERRY & WAYNE COE