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Seven & 8Mm
In these powerful screenplays, Andrew Kevin Walker provides two compelling stories of dark deeds and dark motives, in which the forces of good are pitted against the many forms of evil. Seven, which starred Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow, followed the trail of a serial killer, whose victims were murdered in accordance with the seven deadly sins. 8mm focuses on Tom Welles-portrayed by Nicolas Cage-an honest and hardworking private detective, who discovers an appalling 8mm "snuff" film in which a teenage girl was raped and killed. Hired to track down the masked murderers shown in the film, Welles reconstructs the dead girl's unhappy life; in the course of his investigation, he learns that all fantasies can be filmed to order, at a terrible price, and he becomes obsessed with avenging the girl's death. 30 Black-and-White Photographs
250 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
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41 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Kevin Walker
11 books17 followersScreenwriter of SE7EN + Tim Burton's SLEEPY HOLLOW.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 16, 2014
If you're like me, the first screenplay you'd read because you're curious: and, as it turns out — perhaps surprisingly — there are still elements that didn't make it into David Fincher's legendary film (particularly, details about other cops on the force) possibly because, one feels, they would have slowed down the pacing and tone of the finished film. (Still ... heresy of heresies, would they have helped, had they been included?)
The 8mm screenplay, however, is an altogether different matter: as Andrew Kevin Walker notes in the Introduction, the finished film takes such severe liberties from what he actually wrote that he hasn't bothered to see it. What you get is a shock, a very deep, worthy follow up to Seven that rattles you as much as any contemporary piece of fiction, film or novel, that you could come across from the late '90s American "indie" scene possibly could. Walker's knack for managing to dramatize a very long narrative arc from the overworld to the underworld and back again is as on-display here as it is in Seven, and one can't help but pine (remake?) — for a version of this screenplay that serves the source material as worthily (that's a word ... right?) as Fincher did in '95.
Check it out! Screenplays are easy to read, you dope. You've got no excuse.
The 8mm screenplay, however, is an altogether different matter: as Andrew Kevin Walker notes in the Introduction, the finished film takes such severe liberties from what he actually wrote that he hasn't bothered to see it. What you get is a shock, a very deep, worthy follow up to Seven that rattles you as much as any contemporary piece of fiction, film or novel, that you could come across from the late '90s American "indie" scene possibly could. Walker's knack for managing to dramatize a very long narrative arc from the overworld to the underworld and back again is as on-display here as it is in Seven, and one can't help but pine (remake?) — for a version of this screenplay that serves the source material as worthily (that's a word ... right?) as Fincher did in '95.
Check it out! Screenplays are easy to read, you dope. You've got no excuse.
December 20, 2023
At this point, everyone familiar with Se7en know what a treat to expect by reading its script. This version is as close as you can get to the shooting script, with all the evident differences (many of which were creative decisions during or after the shooting of the film) to the finished product, the movie.
8mm is supposedly the first finished draft, although the true first draft is offered on the screenwriter's (Andrew Kevin Walker) site for free. And on that first draft, there are a few extended scenes not present on the first draft, in this book. Mostly plot point, before the protagonist tracks down the perpetrators, that don't move the plot further and would require a few more set ups (shooting-wise).
If you can find a used copy of the book, for a reasonable price, it is worth buying it for Se7en and the short interview with the screenwriter. Although I was a bit disappointed by its binding. Many pages fell apart and I managed to find a good copy...
Both scripts, "Se7en" (the first rough draft), with its many differences to the final film, and "8mm" (the screenwriter's true first and final script before disowning the film) are offered on Andrew Kevin Walker's website for free. They offer very interesting insights into the development of both scripts and they're there for free.
8mm is supposedly the first finished draft, although the true first draft is offered on the screenwriter's (Andrew Kevin Walker) site for free. And on that first draft, there are a few extended scenes not present on the first draft, in this book. Mostly plot point, before the protagonist tracks down the perpetrators, that don't move the plot further and would require a few more set ups (shooting-wise).
If you can find a used copy of the book, for a reasonable price, it is worth buying it for Se7en and the short interview with the screenwriter. Although I was a bit disappointed by its binding. Many pages fell apart and I managed to find a good copy...
Both scripts, "Se7en" (the first rough draft), with its many differences to the final film, and "8mm" (the screenwriter's true first and final script before disowning the film) are offered on Andrew Kevin Walker's website for free. They offer very interesting insights into the development of both scripts and they're there for free.
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October 12, 2022Se7en is a standout in its genre, 8mm less so. Why?
On paper, 8mm works as a film. It's tight, has a begining, middle, and end, has twists and turns and a good act 1, 2, and 3. But why is Welles doing any of this? Mills and Somerset are cops; they're doing this because it's their jobs. But Welles is a PI who was hired for a case. And he goes headfirst into this case because...?
On the surface, Welles dives headfirst into the case because it's horrifying. He's working the case the same way you, the audience, is watching it, is invested. But that's not a good enough reason for him to do. It makes a tad...unbelivable, a tad unreliable, a tad crazy. He's not the everyman, he's a guy with a lot of issues he never works through because he's working something worse.
On paper, 8mm works as a film. It's tight, has a begining, middle, and end, has twists and turns and a good act 1, 2, and 3. But why is Welles doing any of this? Mills and Somerset are cops; they're doing this because it's their jobs. But Welles is a PI who was hired for a case. And he goes headfirst into this case because...?
On the surface, Welles dives headfirst into the case because it's horrifying. He's working the case the same way you, the audience, is watching it, is invested. But that's not a good enough reason for him to do. It makes a tad...unbelivable, a tad unreliable, a tad crazy. He's not the everyman, he's a guy with a lot of issues he never works through because he's working something worse.
August 12, 2018
“Seven” is my favourite film of all-time and, as excellent as this screenplay is, reading it highlights how intelligent director David Fincher was at tightening the narrative and jettisoning any unnecessary flourish to ensure that every little moment had purpose. Also, I’m sure that Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt also played a role in making some of the dialogue more realistic and punchy. At the end of the day, though, it’s Andrew Kevin Walker’s story that packs the punch. “8mm” is also fascinating in its own way and an appropriate sister-piece, however, it’s a world a little more removed than its predecessor and therefore doesn’t carry the same emotional resonance.
June 18, 2025
For my money, Se7en is one of the finest three scripts of my lifetime alongside Back to the Future and Scream.
Meanwhile, 8MM utilises a more conventional three-act structure to take you on an atmospheric and unsettling trip into the dark side of humanity. It's Walker's love letter to Schrader.
It's not Se7en, but, then, what is?
Meanwhile, 8MM utilises a more conventional three-act structure to take you on an atmospheric and unsettling trip into the dark side of humanity. It's Walker's love letter to Schrader.
It's not Se7en, but, then, what is?
January 4, 2011
Thoroughly enjoyed this. There are a few differences between the script and the film "Se7en," the ending in particular, and a couple minor clues that might have spoiled the surprise along the way.
"8mm" probably has a ton of differences, but to be honest I don't remember the movie all that well. I saw it in the theater in 1999 and then never saw it again.
The interview with screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker at the beginning of the book sheds some light on the reason for these differences (falling out with the director). However (and Walker freely admits this), his first draft of the "8mm" script is not perfect, either, and could have used more work.
Very interesting to see what his original intentions were, though. I wish we'd see another original screenplay/film from Walker instead of him just doing uncredited rewrite assignments in Hollywood.
"8mm" probably has a ton of differences, but to be honest I don't remember the movie all that well. I saw it in the theater in 1999 and then never saw it again.
The interview with screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker at the beginning of the book sheds some light on the reason for these differences (falling out with the director). However (and Walker freely admits this), his first draft of the "8mm" script is not perfect, either, and could have used more work.
Very interesting to see what his original intentions were, though. I wish we'd see another original screenplay/film from Walker instead of him just doing uncredited rewrite assignments in Hollywood.
February 28, 2007
IT WAS W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.L!!!! Impressive!
August 29, 2011
I only read Seven.
June 6, 2015
Two great scripts by one of the best screenwriters in the biz. It's worth it just to see the version of 8MM that COULD'VE gotten made.
October 7, 2015
Lucky enough to have read these two great screenplays pre-filming! What a thrill ride for all.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews