The Graduate
Screenplay by Calder Willingham
Buck Henry
Produced by Lawrence Turman
Directed by Mike Nichols
Cast List:
Dustin Hoffman Ben Braddock
Anne Bancroft Mrs. Robinson
Katharine Ross Elaine Robinson
William Daniels Mr. Braddock
Elizabeth Wilson Mrs. Braddock
Murray Hamilton Mr. Robinson
Brian Avery Carl Smith
Walter Brooke Mr. Maguire
EXT. AMPHITHEATRE – DAY – SHOT – HELICOPTER'S POV
Moving through clouds. The clouds separate and, far below, we can see a giant outdoor amphitheater. There is no SOUND but the WIND. As we move closer to the amphitheater, we can hear SNATCHES OF WORDS and PHRASES as though from a public address system.
EXT. AMPHITHEATRE – PODIUM – DAY – SHOT OF BEN
In cap and gown, standing in front of a microphone. The WIND is BLOWING. He has to hold on to the papers from which he is reading.
EXT. AMPHITHEATRE – SHOT OF AUDIENCE – DAY
Thousands of expressionless STUDENTS are sitting there.
EXT. AMPHITHEATRE – SHOT OF PODIUM – DAY
BEN
... and today it is right that we should ask ourselves the one most important question: What is the purpose of these years, the purpose for all this demanding work, the purpose for the sacrifices made those who love us? Were there NOT a purpose, then all of these past years of struggle, of fierce competition and of uncompromising ambition would be meaningless. But, of course, there is a purpose and I must tell it to you. I ask you to remember this purpose always and I pledge that I shall endeavor to carry it with me forever.
SHOT – AMPHITHEATRE AUDIENCE – DAY
Staring at him impassively.
INTERCUT BETWEEN SHOTS
... of impassive students, seated, watching; of Ben standing alone on the huge amphitheater stage; of CLOSEUPS of Ben speaking; of loudspeakers; of wind-blown papers on the podium.
EXT. PODIUM OF AMPHITHEATRE – DAY
BEN
(continuing)
The purpose, my fellow graduates – the purpose is –
He stops, trying to think of the word.
CLOSEUP – BEN
He begins to sweat.
SHOT – AMPHITHEATRE AUDIENCE
Watching.
SHOT – PODIUM OF AMPHITHEATRE
Ben's hands searching through the pages of his speech. The pages begin to blow away in the wind.
SHOT – AMPHITHEATRE AUDIENCE – DAY
Staring.
SHOT – PODIUM OF AMPHITHEATRE – DAY
BEN
... there is a reason, my friends, and the reason is –
CLOSEUP – BEN
He is in a panic. He looks up from his papers at the audience.
SHOT – AMPHITHEATRE – DAY
The audience is gone.
SHOT – PODIUM OF AMPHITHEATRE – DAY
BEN
... the reason is – the purpose is –
SOUND of the WIND becoming the ROAR of an AIRCRAFT coming at us through the air.
SHOT – AMPHITHEATRE – DAY
Huge and empty. SOUND of AIRCRAFT.
CAPTAIN'S VOICE
Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin our descent into Los Angeles –
SOUND of a SONIC BOOM.
CUT TO:
INT. PLANE – CLOSEUP – BEN – NIGHT
His eyes open suddenly.
CAPTAIN'S VOICE
The sound you have just heard is the landing gear locking into place. The Los Angeles weather is clear and the temperature is a pleasant 72. We do not expect any traffic delay and will make our four hour and eighteen minute flight plan smack on the nose. We enjoyed having you on board and look forward to seeing you again in the near future.
SHOT
PULL BACK SLOWLY from a CLOSEUP of a television screen with snow on it to reveal a long row of television sets along the ceiling of the aircraft. There is snow on all of them.
REVERSE ANGLE
PULL BACK from the CLOSEUP of Ben to reveal a row of passengers staring straight ahead, their headsets on. Ben turns and looks out the window.
EXT. LOS ANGELES – FROM THE AIR – NIGHT
Los Angeles, at night, its lights stretching endlessly in every direction.
SOUND – MUZAK and the STEWARDESS' LANDING SPEECH.
START OF MAIN TITLES
UNDER TITLES:
STEWARDESS' VOICE
Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your seat belts in preparation for the landing and observe the no smoking sign. After we land, you will notice an increase in the sound level as the thrust of the engines is reversed to help reduce forward speed.
INT. AIRPORT – MOVING SIDEWALK – NIGHT
Ben and the other passengers on the automatic sidewalk.
MAN'S VOICE
Your attention, please! American Airlines Flight Number 4, 21 Club service, non-stop to New York is now leaving from Gate Number 40. All aboard, please.
INT. BEN'S ROOM – NIGHT – CLOSEUP – BEN
His eyes are open and he is trying to remember something. There are the SOUNDS of many people TALKING and LAUGHING in other rooms. A RADIO nearby PLAYS MUSIC. After a while, there is the SOUND of a DOOR OPENING. The SOUNDS of the people TALKING are lower. MRS. TERHUNE'S voice can be heard among them.
MRS. TERHUNE'S VOICE
... associate editor of the college newspaper in his junior year – managing editor in his senior year –
The SOUND of the DOOR CLOSING. Mrs. Terhune's VOICE and the VOICES of the other guests FADE DOWN. Mrs. Terhune's VOICE can be HEARD with varying clarity through the remainder of the sequence.
After a few moments, there is the SOUND of a LIGHT SWITCH being SNAPPED and light, as though from an overhead fixture, falls across BEN's face. He does not move.
After a few moments, there is the SOUND of the RADIO being SNAPPED OFF.
MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE
What's the matter?
Ben's mouth opens a little bit and closes again.
MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE
The guests are all downstairs, Ben. They're all waiting to see you.
BEN
Look, Dad – could you explain to them that I have to be alone for a while?
MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE
These are all our good friends, Ben. Most of them have known you since – well – practically since you were born.
Ben has not moved. Now the bed on which he is lying moves as though someone has sat down upon it next to him.
MR. BRADDOCK'S VOICE
What is it, Ben?
The CAMERA BEGINS TO PULL BACK SLOWLY.
BEN
I'm just –
MR. BRADDOCK
– worried?
BEN
Well –
MR. BRADDOCK
About what?
BEN
I guess – about my future.
MR. BRADDOCK
What about it?
BEN
I don't know. I want it to be –
MR. BRADDOCK
To be what?
BEN
(quietly)
Different.
As Ben says this, the door to the bedroom opens and MRS. BRADDOCK looks in.
MRS. BRADDOCK
Is anything wrong?
MR. BRADDOCK
No! No – we're just on our way downstairs!
Mr. Braddock gets off the bed and goes to a chair and picks up Ben's jacket which is lying across it.
MRS. BRADDOCK
The Carlsons' are here.
MR. BRADDOCK
(to Mrs. Braddock)
They are?
(to Ben)
Come on.
Mr. Braddock puts the jacket on Ben.
MRS. BRADDOCK
They came all the way from Tarzana.
MR. BRADDOCK
It's a wonderful thing to have so many devoted friends.
They move out of the door, Mr. Braddock steering Ben.
INT. HALLS AND STAIRWAY – NIGHT
PHIL and MIMI CARLSON are coming up the stairs as the Braddocks are moving down.
MR. CARLSON
Hey – there's our award winning scholar.
MRS. CARLSON
We're all very proud of you, Ben.
BEN
Thank you, Mrs. Carlson.
MR. CARLSON
Is that the new car out there? The little red Wop job?
MR. BRADDOCK
That's Ben's graduation present.
MR. CARLSON
(putting his arm across Ben's shoulder)
Won't have much trouble picking them up in that, will you?
BEN
Sir?
MR. CARLSON
The girls. The chicks. The – the teeny boppers.
MRS. CARLSON
I think Ben has gotten beyond the teeny bopper stage – haven't you, Ben?
Mrs. Carlson gives Ben a broad wink. Ben tries to smile and return the wink politely.
BEN
Yes, ma'am.
They reach the hall at the bottom of the stairs.
BEN
Excuse me – I think I'd just like to check something on the car for a minute –
Ben moves to the front door and opens it. MR. LOOMIS steps into the house and grabs Ben's hand.
MR. LOOMIS
Here's the track star himself. How are you, track star?
BEN
Just fine, Mr. Loomis.
Mr. Loomis closes the door and pushes Ben back down the hall.
MR. LOOMIS
I want to get a drink and then I want to hear all about that thing you won. That Hopperman award.
BEN
Helpingham.
MR. LOOMIS
Helpingham! Right! Now you wait right here.
Mr. Loomis turns and goes into the dining room. Ben moves back to the stairway as THREE LADIES come out of the living room. One lady takes Ben's right hand, another lady his left, the third fingers the front of his jacket.
LADY #1
Ben – we're all so proud of you.
LADY #2
Proud, proud, proud, proud, proud.
LADY #3
What are you going to do now?
BEN
I was going to go upstairs for a minute –
LADY #3
No – I meant with your future.
LADY #2
With your life.
BEN
Well – that's a little hard to say –
MR. MCQUIRE appears behind Ben.
MR. MCQUIRE
Ben!
BEN
(to the ladies)
Excuse me.
(he turns around)
Mr. McQuire
MR. MCQUIRE
(overwhelmed with pride)
Ben.
BEN
Mr. McQuire.
Mr. McQuire takes Ben's arm and steers him down the hall toward the back of the house and out through the back door.
EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA – NIGHT
The pool is eerily lit. There are FOUR PEOPLE standing and TALKING, drinks in their hands, at the back of the yard.
MR. MCQUIRE
Ben – I just want to say one word to you – just one word –
BEN
Yes, sir.
MR. MCQUIRE
Are you listening?
BEN
Yes I am.
MR. MCQUIRE
(gravely)
Plastics.
They look at each other for a moment.
BEN
Exactly how do you mean?
MR. MCQUIRE
There is a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?
BEN
Yes, I will.
MR. MCQUIRE
Okay. Enough said. That's a deal.
Mr. McQuire turns and walks back into the house. The people at the other end of the yard look toward Ben.
WOMAN #1
Here he is now. Here's Ben.
BEN
Excuse me just a minute –
Ben goes into the house through the back door.
EXT. BRADDOCK BACKYARD AND POOL AREA – NIGHT
We can see through the windows of the house, Ben making his way through people trying to stop him and speak to him as he goes through rooms, up the stairs and to his room.
SOUND of a door SLAMMING.
INT. / EXT. BEN'S ROOM – NIGHT
Ben stands with his back against the door. The SOUNDS of the PARTY downstairs and, as Ben walks across the room to a window, the SOUND of the WIND.
SHOT – LONG SHOT (LOCATION)
Over Ben to pool area and people below. SOUND of the door OPENING. Ben turns. MRS. ROBINSON enters the room.
MRS. ROBINSON
Oh. I guess this isn't the bathroom, is it?
BEN
It's down the hall.
They stand for a moment, looking at each other.
MRS. ROBINSON
How are you, Benjamin?
BEN
Fine, thank you. The bathroom is down at the end of the hall.
Mrs. Robinson moves into the room and sits on the edge of the bed.
BEN
Look, Mrs. Robinson, I don't mean to be rude but –
Mrs. Robinson takes a cigarette from her purse and lights it.
MRS. ROBINSON
Is there an ashtray in here?
BEN
No.
MRS. ROBINSON
Oh – I forgot. The track star doesn't smoke.
She blows out the match and puts it down carefully on the bedspread. Ben picks up a wastebasket, walks over to the bed, picks up the match and puts it in the wastebasket.
MRS. ROBINSON
Is it a girl?
BEN
Is what a girl?
MRS. ROBINSON
Whatever it is you're upset about.
BEN
Oh – no. I'm just sort of disturbed about things.
MRS. ROBINSON
In general.
BEN
That's right.
There is a long pause.
MRS. ROBINSON
Benjamin, I want to ask you something.
BEN
What?
MRS. ROBINSON
Will you take me home?
BEN
What?
MRS. ROBINSON
My husband took the car. Will you drive me home?
Ben reaches into his pocket and hands Mrs. Robinson a set of car keys.
BEN
Here – you take it.
Mrs. Robinson looks at him.
BEN
Do you know how to work a foreign shift?
Mrs. Robinson shakes her head.
BEN
You don't?
MRS. ROBINSON
No.
(there is a pause)
BEN
Let's go.
She throws the keys to him. He catches them.
CUT TO:
EXT. BRADDOCK HOUSE – NIGHT
SHOOTING THROUGH THE OPEN FRONT DOOR. Mr. Braddock is talking to the Terhunes at the door. Ben and Mrs. Robinson come down the hall.
BEN
Dad – Mrs. Robinson needs a ride home. I'll be right back.
Mr. Braddock pats Ben on the shoulder. Mrs. Robinson is walking ahead through the front door.
MRS. ROBINSON
(as she passes the camera)
Wonderful party.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROBINSON HOUSE – NIGHT
The car comes to a stop in the Robinson driveway. They sit for a moment.
MRS. ROBINSON
Thank you.
BEN
Right.
She doesn't move. Ben gets out and goes around to her side and opens the door.
MRS. ROBINSON
Will you come in, please?
BEN
What?
MRS. ROBINSON
I want you to come in till I get the lights on.
BEN
What for?
MRS. ROBINSON
Because I don't feel safe until I get the lights on.
They move to the door. She takes out her key and opens the door.
INT. ROBINSON HALL AND SUNROOM – NIGHT
MRS. ROBINSON
Would you mind walking ahead of me to the sun porch. I feel funny about coming into a dark house.
BEN
But it's light in there now.
MRS. ROBINSON
Please.
Ben turns and walks down the hall. They enter sunroom.
MRS. ROBINSON
What do you drink? Bourbon?
BEN
Look – I drove you home. I was glad to do it. But I have some things on my mind. Can you understand that?
She nods.
BEN
All right then.
MRS. ROBINSON
What do you drink?
He looks at her.
MRS. ROBINSON
Benjamin – I'm sorry to be this way, but I don't want to be alone in this house.
BEN
Why not?
MRS. ROBINSON
Please wait till my husband gets home.
BEN
When is he coming back?
MRS. ROBINSON
I don't know.
She pours herself a drink.
MRS. ROBINSON
Drink?
BEN
No.
She hands him a drink. There is a pause.
BEN
Are you always this much afraid of being alone?
MRS. ROBINSON
Yes.
BEN
Well, why can't you just lock the doors and go to bed?
MRS. ROBINSON
I'm very neurotic.
She turns on the phonograph. SOUND of PHONOGRAPH.
MRS. ROBINSON
May I ask you a question?
Ben looks at her.
MRS. ROBINSON
What do you think of me?
BEN
What do you mean?
MRS. ROBINSON
You've known me nearly all of your life. You must have formed some opinion.
BEN
Well – I've always thought that you were a very – nice – person.
MRS. ROBINSON
Did you know I was an alcoholic?
BEN
What?
MRS. ROBINSON
Did you know that?
BEN
Look – I think I should be going -
MRS. ROBINSON
Sit down, Benjamin.
BEN
Mrs. Robinson – if you don't mind my saying so – this conversation is getting a little strange. Now I'm sure that Mr. Robinson will be here any minute and –
MRS. ROBINSON
No.
BEN
What?
MRS. ROBINSON
My husband will be back quite late.
They look at each other. Ben is half standing.
MRS. ROBINSON
He should be gone for several hours.
She takes a step toward him. He puts his hand up and retreats around the other side of the chair.
BEN
Oh my God.
MRS. ROBINSON
Pardon?
BEN
Oh no, Mrs. Robinson, oh no.
MRS. ROBINSON
What's wrong?
BEN
Mrs. Robinson, you didn't – I mean you didn't expect –
MRS. ROBINSON
What?
BEN
I mean – you didn't really think that I would do something like that.
MRS. ROBINSON
Like what?
BEN
What do you think?
MRS. ROBINSON
Well I don't know.
BEN
For God's sake, Mrs. Robinson, here we are, you've got me into your house. You give me a drink. You put on music, now you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won't be home for hours.
MRS. ROBINSON
So?
BEN
Mrs. Robinson – you are trying to seduce me.
There is a pause. She looks at him.
BEN
(weaker)
Aren't you?
MRS. ROBINSON
Why no. I hadn't thought of it. I feel rather flattered that you –
BEN
Mrs. Robinson, will you forgive me for what I just said?
MRS. ROBINSON
It's all right.
BEN
It's not all right, it's the worst thing I've ever said to anyone.
MRS. ROBINSON
Sit down.
BEN
Please forgive me. Because I like you. I don't think of you that way. But I'm mixed up.
MRS. ROBINSON
All right. Now finish your drink.
