By Bruce Joel Rubin Jacob's Ladder (Applause Screenplay) (annotated edition) [Paperback]

by Bruce Joel Rubin

From the hit movie directed by Adrian Lyne, this is the original script with over 100 photos. From Rubin's The script presented here is not my initial screenplay but the final draft completed just before shooting. While close to the original, some significant scenes have been changed or cut. You will find them in the final chapter.

Genres: Horror, Film, Media Tie In

Unknown Binding

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[James Caterino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading screenplays. The format lends itself to a certain kind of kinetic visual and emotional experience. When read in original spec form in the 8 by 11 format, a well structured screenplay will read like the movie is playing out right before your eyes in real time, i.e. 120 pages will take 2 hours to read.

The only drawback to this book is Bruce Joel Rubin's masterful screenplay is presented in the final shooting script form. Other than that, everything about this book is a treasure for novelists, screenwriters, movie fans, or anyone who appreciates a great story masterfully executed by an expert wordsmith.

Jacob's Ladder is written by Bruce Joel Rubin, the Oscar winning screenwriter of Ghost. It covers some of the same thematic territory but has a darker tone that was fully fleshed out by director Adrian Lyne in the brooding 1990 film.

One of the great things about this book is the extra material. There is a long autobiographical section that is deeply insightful, revealing, and ultimately inspiring. The author talks about all of his writing experiences up to that time, including the story behind his original screenplay for the underrated 1983 film Brainstorm. It was a movie ahead of its time that was marred by the tragic drowning death of star Natalie Wood.

Overall, this is a terrific book for movie fans and writers to own, both for the outstanding screenplay and the revealing extra material.

[Ira Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I return to Halloween and this time of year, I reflect on films that scared me back in the day. Then I came across this book in one of my boxes for the office. The screenplay is an awesome piece of work that shed light on the film that I didn't pickup on while watching

[Jonathan Harnisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the best script ever. And the film directed w/ sheer precision. So much dimension and depth. Flawless.

[AustinT · Rating 3 out of 5]

2015

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been deeply infatuated with Adrian Lyne's JACOB'S LADDER since I first saw it a few years back. It's a rare bird I often rewatch. While researching Bruce Joel Rubin's biography recently, I found out he had a published script version of the film. Snatched it up right away. My copy's kind of beaten up, some of the pages are falling out & the spine glue's been decimated but it's still a stunning paperback to have on your shelf, whether or not you're into screenwriting or have even seen the film. They've included black and white film stills, deleted scenes, and an enlightening short essay at the back of the book by Rubin about his experience writing JACOB'S LADDER. Holy shit, did the guy ever have garbage luck trying to get this (and most of his other scripts) made into films. And this is the guy that wrote GHOST ($500 million + at the box office). Crazy to think. It's insightful & kind of humbling to know that even greatness sometimes has doors slammed in its face.

Really happy I was able to find this. Highly recommend.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional movie – the screenplay is even better

I like to keep film scripts of my favorite movies. Sometimes you can see where the movie takes the script word for word at other times you can see where they deviate and choose which would have been better. The scene descriptions are worth it alone.

The script is interspersed with pictures from the movie. I have to confess that this was the first time I saw a movie with Elizabeth Peña and I was intrigued.

Just like getting those little extras on DVD like “the making of”, we get a little extra at the end of the book “Jacob’s Chronicle” which is pretty much the story from concept to finish.

The only problem I guess is that I am not quite over Vietnam myself so I get a little antsy at times.

[Ming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is still one of the best screenplays ever written, even though looking at its raw form, so many things could've gone wrong if the right director hadn't been on board. Thankfully, Lyne was perfect for it. The essay on Rubin's career is also great, and resonates more if you've ever tried to get your foot in the door. I revisit this every few years, and highly recommend fellow screenwriters do so too.

[Willywa · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

[Catherine Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The only thing that burns in hell is the part of you that won't let go of your life: your memories, your attachments. They burn 'em all away.
~ Jacob's Ladder, Bruce Joel Rubin

[Skum Back · Rating 3 out of 5]

good but wouldve been cooler as a normal book. the personal stuff was inspiring though

[Mermarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up for a piddly $.50 at a yard sale last Summer, because I have always..always found the film itself to be one of the greatest in Horror. It's the sort that, even with all of the information and details--you'll still never quite grasp its entirety. In my opinion, it requires personal interpretation, and that's more haunting & impressionable to me because those wounds are always open; there's no finality or resolution, despite the fact that the protagonist seemed to find a peaceful ending. I didn't!

The bonus material and images proved to be equally soul-through-the-ceiling unnerving as the film's deleted scenes were.