FILM & TV SCRIPTS &
NEGOTIATION NIGHTMARE
Real language in action.
In this section, we look at short clips from films
or TV shows. This month: The Princess Bride.This 1987 American ilm combines comedy,
romance, adventure and fantasy. In the
ilm, an old man (Peter Falk) reads a book
to his grandson (Fred Savage), who’s sick
in bed. As the grandfather reads the book,
which is called The Princess Bride, the book’s
story becomes the movie. The ilm is about a
pirate called Westley (Cary Elwes) who is on
a mission to rescue his true love, Buttercup,
(Robin Wright) from an evil prince.This following scene takes place at the beginning of the ilm,
on Buttercup’s farm. Westley is her servant, but they soon fall
in love. We can hear the grandfather
reading the book to his grandson in
voiceover (v/o).GLOSSARY
a grandson n
the son of your son or daughter
on a mission exp
if someone is “on a mission” , they have
something important to do. This often
involves travelling to another country
evil adj
very bad (a person)
a grandfather n
the father of your father or mother
a voiceover n
a voice speaking during a ilm by
someone you can’t see on the screen
to order around phr vb
if you “order someone around”, you
tell them what to do
to groom vb
to clean a horse by brushing its hair
to polish vb
to clean something until it shines
(relects light)
a saddle n
the “seat” you place on a horse so
you can ride it
as you wish exp
whatever you want
amazed adj
if someone is “amazed”, they are
surprised and can’t believe what is
happening
to fetch vb
if you “fetch” something, you go and
get it from a place and bring it back
a pitcher n
a container for water/wine, etc.
tenderly adv
gently; lovingly
to blush vb
if someone “blushes”, their face
becomes red (often because they’re
embarrassed)
hold it! exp
stop!
keep your shirt on exp
calm down!(^1) Pre-listening
You’re going to listen to three separate dialogues between street vendors and
potential customers. The three items being purchased are: a hotdog, a handbag
and a DVD player. Think of some typical ways of haggling (negotiating) over the
price. What could you say to get a better deal?
(^2) Listening I
Listen to the three dialogues and compare your ideas from the Pre-listening task.
(^3) Listening II
Complete the sentences with the missing words. Then, listen again to check your
answers.
- Look, if you took the onions of, could you?
- All right, give me the sausage and keep the bread and
. - Oh, all right. Here you go. But don’t forget.
- If those were real diamond earrings, you wouldn’t
. - If I was easily ofended, I’d be.
- If they were your grandmother’s, why?
- No, but I wouldn’t want to get into trouble, if you
. - Throw in one of those DVDs and I’ll.
(^4) Language focus Conditional
structures
Look at this extract from the transcript of the recording Negotiation
Nightmare: “...if you took the onions of, could you drop the
price a bit?...” The speaker has used a conditional structure. Read through
the transcript of the dialogues and see how many conditional structures you
can identify. Which tenses are being used? Why?
(^5) Discussion
- When was the last time you haggled for something? How
did it go? - Do you ever try to negotiate on price? When? How?
- How good are you at dealing with sales people? What are
some of their tricks?
The script
To watch and read
along, here is the clip:
http://youtu.
be/J3AE8lzddOg
[starts at 0:30]ANSWERS PAGE ON
42FILM & TV SCRIPTS
GF: Grandfather [v/o]
B: Buttercup
W: Westley
G: GrandsonGF: Nothing gave Buttercup as
much pleasure as ordering
Westley around.
[Wesley is grooming the horses.]
B: Farm boy, polish my horse’s
saddle. I want to see my face
shining in it by morning.
W: As you wish.
GF: “As you wish” was all he ever
said to her.
[Another day, Westley is cutting wood.]
B: [She brings two buckets.] Farm
boy, ill these with water...
Please.
W: As you wish.
GF: That day, she was amazed to
discover that when he was
saying, “As you wish”, what
he meant was, “I love you.”
And even more amazing was
the day she realised she truly
loved him back.
[Another day, in the farmhouse.]
B: Farm boy... fetch me that
pitcher. [She points to a jug
hanging above her head.
Westley approaches and
stands in front of her.]
W: [Tenderly] As you wish...
[Buttercup blushes.]
[Cut to Buttercup and Westley kissing.]
G: [angry / impatient] Hold it,
hold it. What is this? Are you
trying to trick me? Where are
the sports? Is this a kissing
book?
GF: Wait, just wait.
G: Well, when does it get good?
GF: Keep your shirt on, and let
me read.Unusual negotiations with
street sellers.Negotiation
Nightmare
AUDIOLISTENING
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