A proof of concept short film
A Near Run Thing is a short, proof of concept film by Track Record Films. It's aim as a pitch vehicle is to raise the profile for a Theatrical Feature Film about the last days of the Napoleonic Wars seen through the eyes of fictional characters. The short film introduces our characters and tells their background story which forms the narrative of one of the proposed feature films. It is a direction, a guide to the look and feel of the screenplay. It does not not aim to be a polished or finished article, the aim is simply to generate interest within the film industry and promote our screenplays.
Plot Summary
England, 1814
The country is exhausted from war with France. Napoleon has been forced into abdication and soldiers have finally returned home from Spain.
Amongst them are cavalry Captains Lynch and Forbes, brothers in arms but not in society. Accompanied by his mentor, Lynch, Forbes pays a visit to the country home of his future wife and daughter of the wealthy businessman Henry Westwood.
Whilst dealing with his own demons, it becomes clear to Lynch that all is not what it seems.
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The following summer, with Napoleon returning to power, Lynch is in Belgium and part of the Allied Armies final stand. He is returned to his role as an exploring officer with one clear order; Find the French Army. Whilst doing so he finds vital information that he must take to Wellington, only to be obstructed by a vengeful enemy.
This chance meeting catapults him into events that form one of the narratives of the story for the proposed feature films.
The Characters
Captain Howard Lynch
The son of a printer from Surrey and a talented artist. Lynch's military career has taken him to Buenos Aires, Spain, Portugal and eventually France. Once an Aide de Camp for General Crauford and an Exploring Officer under Colquhoun Grant, Wellingtons head of intelligence, he is haunted by his experiences. He is a career soldier at an advancing age rather than an advancing career. He is weary. His commission is his identity, the Regiment is his home, loyalty and duty has been his life.
Elizabeth Westwood
Daughter of Henry Westwood, wealthy businessman and supplier of equipment to the Army, Elizabeth is an independent girl more at home driving horses and managing her fathers estate than playing the society girl. Now being forced into a marriage of convenience, she feels trapped.
Captain Quentin Forbes
Captain Forbes is the son of a Member of Parliament. and used to the life of privilege, entitlement and patronage. He assumes his place in society but conceals a secret from his colleagues. Mentored by Lynch as the junior Officer, he is blind to anything except his ambition.