After completing the sequences of the pilgrims’ route through religious and philosophical experiences, I had to return to their starting point in the script: the beginning of the Third Crusade to freed Jerusalem from Saladin. Following the Diet in Mainz, Frederick Barbarossa takes the land and the England’s and France’s kings the maritime routes towards Jerusalem.
The Crusade is also Baudolino’s opportunity to start the far East pilgrim towards the Universal Religion realm. But how? Empty handed? In the book, there are ample discussions about the Holy Grail and whether it will be presented as a gift to Frederick from Prester Johannes or the other way around. In the script, initially, I kept the Holy Grail just a mere dialogue topic.
But a new thought pops up in my mind: visual actions are better than talking heads. Thus, I must create scenes about the Christian cross, the symbol of the Third Crusade, and the Holy Grail, one of the most sought after Christian relic. Let’s see how.
Baudolino cannot join Frederick at the Diet. His mother died and he has to go home to see his father; with his wife gone, he’d want to go too. But Baudolino encourages him to wait until he comes back from the Realm with the golden, studded with precious stones Holy Grail. As usual, his father laughs at this new fantasy: how could the poor Jesus have had such a precious cup? He had for sure something like this, says his father showing the wooden bowl he keeps sipping wine from. CUT.
At the Mainz Diet, high profile clerics, knights, European princes and kings lookup at Frederick raising his sword. Richard I of England and Philip II of France kings do the same, then the three of them extend and cross the swords in a sign of allegiance to the Crusade. CUT.
Galiaudo, Baudolino’s father dies, in the blissful vision of Rosina, his beloved cow. He drops the bowl. Baudolino cries by his father’s bed. CUT
Frederick grabs the sword by the blade and rises it again. A close-up on the handle and the blade connotes the Christian cross and the symbol of the Third Crusade. CUT
Baudolino picks up the wooden bowl, looks at it then slowly rises it as in a sign of devotion. His face is lit by a strange light. DISSOLVE.
The Third Crusade’s flag cross symbol flutters in the wind. Barbarossa army advances on land. CUT.
The Third Crusade’s flag at the top of the ship’s mast flutters in the wind. Richard the Lionheart looks at the flotilla sailing towards Jerusalem.
That’s it, I hope it’ll work, see the scenes in the script. (work in progress)