'Since the dawn of time, story tellers have enchanted audiences with their words. But there is an even rarer gift. There are those who, by reading out loud, can bring characters to life. Out of books and into our world.' Go to sleep now. Sshh. Go to sleep. Maybe this'll work, let me read to her. She's too young. No! Why don't you read to me? Once upon a time there was a dear little girl who was loved by everyone who met her. But especially by her grandmother who would've given her anything. Once she gave her a little hood, of red velvet. What was that? What? I don't know, nothing. Red velvet. That suited her so well that she refused to wear anything instead of it. So, she was called Little Red Riding Hood. 'Most Silvertongues, as they're known, prefer to keep their skills a secret. But some do not even know that this gift is theirs... until it is too late.' This is the right way. It's the next turning on the left. Sure? Cos I think we missed it. Who's the driver? Dad. Who's the navigator? Me. Have I ever got us lost before? No. No. Look, a Sasquatch. Hey! The turning! Left, left, left! The Alpine Antiquarian Bookshop should be at the end of the street and on the right hand side of the square. Good. By the way, how come every bookshop we go to is 1,000 years old? Why can't we go to one that sells hot chocolate and books that are actually new? What good would a bookbinder be in a new book store? I love old books. The marbled pag - End papers, The leather binding. This is my kind of place. Maybe you'll find it here, Mo. Find what? That book you're always looking for. I'm not looking for anything particular. You don't think I've noticed? You never leave a bookshop unless you've checked every corner and shelf. Don't we? No and you always come away disappointed. Sometimes your eyes are even a little red. It's because old books are dusty. Hey look, Harriet the Spy. I'm gonna go inside, you wanna come with me? The Secret Garden! Or I guess you could stay here. (BELL) Afternoon, I'm Mortimer Folchart. Ah! The famous book doctor. You're just in time. Look at this poor patient. Do you think we can save her? The prognosis is good. Excellent. Quite the collection you have. Yes. If you'd like to have a look around, be my guest. Thank you. (WHISPERING) Fine, intelligent eye. "What do you say to calling him Black Beauty?" "Do it once more urged Heidi" "Capricorn's men were looking for Dustfinger in the wrong place." "Treasure Island." "He hadn't left the village. He hadn't even tried." "Dustfinger was in Basta's house." "What is that coming over the wall? It's a beast of some kind." Dustfinger. (HISSES) He doesn't like to be tickled. And you should be more careful. His name's Gwin and I know he looks charming, but you know what they say about books and covers. Yeah, I do. I also know what they say about talking to strangers - But I'm not a stranger, Meggie. You won't remember me, we only met once and you were quite small. But I'm no stranger. Hello, Silvertongue. I was just having a talk with your daughter. Meggie, go wait for me in the van. It's all right, he's just an old friend. Dad! Do it now! Let's you and me go for a little walk. I've been looking for you. I've been one step behind you for years. Waiting for you to find what it is you have been searching for. Just tell me what you want. I want you to put right the wrong you did nine years ago. And I'm here to warn you, Capricorn knows where you're staying. His men are there now waiting for you and your daughter to come home. He wants you to read for him. He's out of luck. I don't read aloud anymore. If he finds you, you really think you'll have a choice? I could help you stay hidden. But I won't. Not unless you promise to send me home. I've been here too long. Send me home, Silvertongue. Read to me. I'm sorry, I can't help you. < It's too dangerous. It's uncontrollable. Well if you wont help me, I'll find someone who can. Just give me the book. What book? I don't have the book. You don't have a book? No. I searched everywhere. I don't have it. What's in the bag? Did you finally find one? It's funny, isn't it? Strange my turning up here right at that very moment. There are times in life when the stars just simply align. This is not one of those times! Dad! Meggie! What's happening? I told you to stay in the van. Run! Get in, get in! Come on. Start! Stop! I'm trying to help you. What are you doing? Leave it alone. I want to see the book! You're not to touch that book, understand? No, I don't understand at all. What is that book and why does the freaky man with the scars want it? Why did he call you Silvertongue? I can't tell you. You have to tell me! No, I have to protect you and your mother My mother? What has this got to do with my mother? Meggie, please, just... I'm scared, Mo. Meggie. I'm gonna take care of you. I always have and I always will. At least tell me where we're going? We're going to Italy. You have a great aunt there, it's very important that we get there. OK? Please, Meggie. No more questions. (DOORBELL) So she's friendly, this great aunt of mine? You'll like her. Please stop ringing that damn bell! ..After a while. She's kind of an acquired taste. Right. What? Elinor. Well for the love of Thomas Hardy. I'm so glad you've finally made your way back here, Mortimer. My poor books are in a terrible state of disrepair. I'll take care of it. Don't play with your food child, you're not a toddler. Look at her, she's as thin as a soap bubble. She so reminds me of her mother. Not just when she opens her mouth, if she ever does. Speaking of Resa- We haven't heard from her. Oh well, no matter. I grew up without a mother, it didn't do me any damage whatsoever. My mother suddenly dashed off on safari one day and never came back. It's what the women in our family seem to do. They go off on adventures. Not me, I prefer to stay where I am. Your mother, well she wanted the real thing. My mum wanted me. Then one day she was gone without explanation. Is that what you call an adventure? No, that's what I call abandonment. Well done, Elinor. You know it's the truth. Mum did not abandon us. No, she didn't. Then what really happened to her? Look at me, I'm not a child any more, I'm all grown up. Almost. Enough to know the most important thing that's ever happened to me. I realise why I'm not in regular school. And why we're always travelling round from place to place. All these years you've been looking for Mum. And that book, but I just don't understand how those two things - Meggie. You have to tell me something. I write about her sometimes. You do? Yeah, I make up stories about - You make up stories. Meggie, you know I don't want you doing that. But I have to. I feel like the words bring her back to me. Yes. The written word. It's a powerful thing. You have to be careful with it. Do you think we'll ever see her again? I hope we do, Meggie. I hope we do. (LOUD BANG) Step away from that case! Three steps back! What are you doing in here? This place is not for children, I made that clear. I'm sorry, I was just looking for a book to read. Is that a nose print? Do have any idea how valuable this manuscript is? Yes, I know. Oh, you know, do you? It's Persian, isn't it? I can tell from the illuminations. The pinks and the blues and the gold-patterned background. Maybe from the late 12th century or so. Goodness me! What a little know it all. It's beautiful. Yes, it is, isn't it? I just adore everything Persian. You've been to Persia then? Yes, 100 times. Along with St Petersburg, Paris, Middle Earth, distant planets and Shangri-La. And I never had to leave this room. Books are adventure! They contain murder and mayhem and passion. They love anyone who opens them. If I promise not to touch anything, could I maybe just sit and read in here for a while? That was the window seat where she used to curl up and read. She? Your mother. Your father used to read to her here. This was hers. If I find so much as a bookmark out of place I shall lock this room up and you'll never see it again. That I can promise you. (WHISPERING) "Then Dorian Gray half opened the door." "As he did so..." (THUNDER) (WHISPERING) "Trapped inside..." "Desire of revenge..." (GLASS SMASHES) (THUNDER) I tried to warn you. I gave you every opportunity to help me but you refused. All you had to do was read me back. You could have kept the book. But you had to run. So I turned to Capricorn. What? He's promised to help me. What have you done? (GLASS SMASHING) Meggie! (WHISPERING) There are men outside! They are trying to break into the house! Meggie! Mo, look out! Mortimer, my books! Hello, Silvertongue. Basta? Did you miss me? You illiterate cretins! These are masterpieces you're destroying. You ignorant half-wit. Stop! I swear I'll kill every last one of you! You know I can do it, it will only take a few words. We wont have to worry about your words if we cut out your tongue. You remember my calling card, don't you? One, two, three. If that doesn't work, there's always your daughter. Get off me! No one gets hurt. Yes. The fire! The fire! Isn't that what we agreed? Isn't that what we agreed? We agreed, we agreed, we agreed. Evil spirits I repel thee! Evil spirits I repel thee! Dad! Get them in the van. You're not taking them too. Capricorn's orders. After all, we are going to require a little leverage. To make Daddy read. Meggie! Don't drag my daughter into this. She's just a child. What's this? My only hope of finding my wife! My only hope of going home. What is it, Mo? Tell me what's going on. Has your father ever read you a bedtime story, Meggie? You might want to ask him why that is. I'll take that. No! My books. Hurry up. Come on. Burgers the way they're meant to be. (UPBEAT MUSIC) Uh... You can never have too much coinage with Burger King's new Change Range, starting from just $1 ` and the new Bacon Cheeseburger for just $3. Burgers the way they're meant to be. 1 Meggie. Where are we? They're here. They're coming! How lovely(!) After you. Out. Out! Move. Move! (TICKING NOISE) It's ticking. (DOGS BARK/GROWL) Flying monkeys. What is this place? I don't know. Welcome to our humble abode. Enjoy your stay. I will not share this filthy hovel with all those creatures! What are we doing here, Mortimer? (GROWLING) Where do those monsters come from? Books. They came out of books. What are you talking about? Mortimer, be quick, be clear or I swear I'll disinherit you. Came out of books? What do you mean? Come here. Meggie... ..this is the story you have been waiting to hear. Elinor, you were away at a book fair and we were house-sitting for you. Me, Meggie, your mum. That night we were in the library. So I opened a copy of the book we just bought. Inkheart. Inkheart? It's a good read. Full of adventure and magic. A creature called The Shadow, terrifying. I read several chapters aloud and nothing happened. They appeared out of nowhere. From the medieval world of the book. At first it was Capricorn. A thuggish bandit working for an evil Duke. Basta, his knife wielding sidekick. And then Dustfinger, a travelling fire juggler with magical powers. My voice brought them out. Your voice brought them out of the book? And her mother went in. That's how it works. Dustfinger saved us from Capricorn that night. It was only then that I realised. Resa, your mum, she was gone. They'd come out of the book and she went into it. Resa! That, Meggie, was the last time that I read to you. On the night we lost your mother. She went into the book. Oh. Oh, for goodness sake, Mortimer. You allowed me to think the worst of Resa! Why didn't you tell us? Would you have believed me? You want to read Mum back out of the book. That's why you've been searching for Inkheart all these years. If she's alive, you mean. You say she's trapped there but how do you know? Who's to say she even got there and if she did how could she survive for nine years? If the monsters are anything like those or worse. How do you know where she is? Or if she's alive even? How do you know? It is just like the illustration in the book. Kind of scary. Its hideous, the man's got no taste whatsoever. Will you stop pushing me?! Meggie, just pretend that you're in a book. Children always escape in books. No they don't. Remember the Little Match Girl? They found her in an alley frozen to death. Ah! Come in. We saved you the good seats. Capricorn. I told you to stop that! Please. You got old. You got a castle. Indeed I did. And a haircut. A lovely castle in a secluded part of the country far from prying eyes. Oh yes, I've adjusted rather well to your world. Don't you think? This must be your daughter. So much life to live. You however are a noisy old bag. You make a racket without opening your mouth. You barbaric piece of pulp fiction! Your malice is masked by your stupidity. I don't know how things are in that third rate novel of yours but where I come from one does not go around ravaging libraries. My life's work destroyed by a bunch of un-read solipsistic thugs! I have no patience for old women with big mouths. You know my reader, Darius? Why don't we show our guests what I've been up against? Read that. Bu-bu-but you said I wouldn't have to read once he g-g-got here. Well I l-lied, didn't I? When I said that. (LAUGHTER) Read the book. R-R-Rapunzel had s-s-splendid l-long hair. It was as fine as spun g-gold. And when she heard... < (SCREAM) < Help! < Help! (LAUGHTER) You see? Look at the writing on her face. She's only been half read out of the book. Take her to the dungeon. No! Give her a haircut. (LAUGHTER) I'm not going to read out loud if that's what you're intending. Not with them in the room. Bring the girl up, please. Take your ha- Here's how this is going to work. You'll do exactly what I tell you to do or I'll kill the old lady and lock your daughter up in the dungeon. Is that clear? Great. Let's get things started, shall we? This is a great book. Filled with riches. Reading out treasure? For now. Someone has to pay for repairs here and locals have been bled dry. I'm warning you. I have no control over what comes and goes. I have no idea what is going to happen. Well this should be fun then. Let's give it a whirl. "Kasim gazed upon the treasures within the cave. Mounds of gold and silver were heaped from floor to ceiling. Piles of silks and sacks of jewels. Kasim gathered all the treasure he could carry. Only to find the door of the cave sealed shut. And by the will of Allah, he'd forgotten the pass word. He cries out, "Open Barley!" But the door did not budge. Kasim named every grain of wheat he could think of. "Open Buckwheat." "Open Millet." But still, the door would not open. Then came the sound of approaching hooves." (TROTTING) Sand. "Kasim ran to hide but tripped sending coins spilling in every direction. Then came the muffled call of, "Open Sesame!" And the cave opened! To reveal the most unpleasant collection of bandits. (LAUGHTER) You see? That's how it's done. (SCREAMING) Look! What did I tell you? Put that boy in the stable and feed him to the ticking crocodile. But if he came out, who went in? Phew. Help. (COUGHS) Help. It's my turn now. It's my turn now. Just like you promised. Your turn? Oh! You mean this? It is an incredibly rare book, this. We've been tracking them down for years - I can't send you back, I don't know how to do that. Send us back? Why would we ever want to go back? When your world is so accommodating. With your telephones, guns and what's that sticky stuff called? Duct tape. Yes, duct tape. I love duct tape. Besides what was I in Inkheart? The Adderhead's henchman. Living in the woods with all those filthy beasts. But look at me now. I've got a castle. I'll never go back. None of us ever will. To make sure of that I'm going to do what I always do when someone digs up a copy of this tedious book. You promised I'd be sent home. I know, I lied when I said that. I'm a liar. I lie all the time. Lie, lie, lie. After all these years, you think he'd have figured it out by now. No! Get it out. Must you do that every single time? It's pathetic, honestly. Now go and get your burns tended to or I'll have to cancel juggle night, you know how much I look forward to juggle night. Lock them up. 1 Darius. Don't forget to feed the c-c-crocodile, will ya? (LAUGHS) Oh, for the love of Theseus! No, no, no. He d-didn't mean it, he's - he's just hungry. It is n-n-n-not his fault. He's a minotaur. He can barely walk thanks to D-D-Darius's r-r-reading. A lot of things are down to this jack ass. We came out with half the book tattooed across our face. If you think that's bad, have a look at the state of my nose. Disgusting. Ye- All right! So you can imagine how pleased we are that you're here. Delighted, cos now we got someone who can really read. I hurt myself. Again. I don't understand. In Inkheart, my hands, they never burn. But here, fire has no sense of humour. (You're trying to escape again?) Resa, give up. We're not going anywhere. For a moment, I held Inkheart in my hands. But it's ashes now. And I shall never go home. But you, you still have hope. When Darius read you out of Inkworld he left your voice behind in that book but if you could talk, would you tell me your story? Would you? Na, you wouldn't. It's cos of how I'm written, isn't it? You think me weak and deceitful. That's not all I am. Not all of me. It's just a dream. It's just a dream. It's just a dream. Are you all right? What's your name? Mine name is Farid. Are you one of the Forty Thieves? Stop talking to me! It's bad luck to speak in a dream. You stupid girl! You talk in a dream, never find your way back. Stupid? You're the one who thinks you're in a dream. I was just trying to be nice. Go back to you're muttering and see if I care. It's just a dream. Just a dream. Come home. Please. Come home. (CRASHING) Good morning. Thank you. How can I ever repay you? Resa, even if I could find a key, where would you go? This is your family? This is your husband? Your daughter? You went in the book when I came out. You went in the book when I came out. And then Darius read you out again. Gwin. I'm going to get you out of these chains and then you're going home. (SNORES) I'll meet you in the stables. I've never been that in control before. I know I can get Resa out of the book. Maybe send Capricorn back in. We just have to find another copy. It only took you nine years to find the last one(!) I bet the author has a copy. If he's alive, I bet he'd have one. Someone must know where he lives. Great(!) Now we're going to have to try and escape! Either that or get fed to the ticking crocodile next door. Someone has to stop him. Before you say anything let me say, I'm here to save your necks. After putting them on the chopping block in the first place? Listen. You want your wife back as much as I want to go home to my family. If you think there's another copy out there, fine. Let's find it together. And how do you intend that we escape? Page 14. The mighty storm? Get in the castle! Let's go! "From the far north they heard a low wail of the wind, and Uncle Henry and Dorothy could see where the long grass bowed in waves before the coming storm. "There's a cyclone coming, Em..." G-G-Good doggies. "Suddenly Uncle Henry stood up. He ran toward the sheds where the cows and horses were kept. Aunt Em dropped her work and came to the door. One glance told her of the danger close at hand. "Quick, Dorothy!" she screamed. "Run for the cellar!" A strange thing then happened. The house whirled around two or three times and rose slowly through the air. Dorothy felt as if she were going up in a balloon." That should do it. Let's get out of here. Must've run off! Help me! Come on. Come on, get up. You were right. (MOUTHING) (MOUTHING) Don't move. Watch out! (MOUTHING) (MOUTHING) The prisoners! They're escaping! Run! Get in! Run! Run! Get in! Get in! Get the keys, hurry up! Wait. Wait. Wait! Come on, Gwin! Come on. OK, go! Come on! Watch out! 1 Still think you're dreaming? What else could it be? We're flying! Or is it the night flying past us? He lives in Alassio. Which way is that? South. South? Can't you be more precise? Beats a camel, huh? < Farid? Hooligan! Farid, some clothes for you. You'll freeze to death otherwise. Apparently this is the place, the man in the fish monger says he lives in an apartment over the square. Great. I'm not coming. What do you mean? You have to come otherwise he won't believe me. I don't know, you can be pretty persuasive. You talked me out of a book. I don't understand, the book is right here within our grasp - You're afraid. You've never actually read Inkheart, have you? What's there to read? I've lived it. Except for the end, I've got no interest in that. Why not? Do you know the end of your story, Meggie? No. And I suspect you wouldn't want to, it would be like turning to the last page of a mystery. Where's the fun in that? Well I think I know the end of my story. Mm? I'm going home. Why? I'm sorry, it's just all too real for me. I prefer a story that has the good sense to stay on the page where it belongs. I have to get back to my poor desecrated books. I want to mend them, put them in water. I'll do that - Here's some money for you. I don't - You see, I've already bought my ticket. Goodbye. Good luck. Elinor - Let her go. Don't catch a cold. Bye then! This must be it. That's it. (DOORBELL) Signor Fenoglio. Yes? Sir, my name's Mortimer Folchart. I'm Meggie, I want to be a writer too. You do? Yes, yes, give me something to write with but be quick about it, I've got a cake in the oven. Don't stand there taxidermied. If you want an autograph, give me a pen. We don't. You don't want one? No. What in the name of Chaucer's beard are you doing ringing my bell? Well...um. Dustfinger's in the piazza, we just escaped from Capricorn's village and you're not even gonna believe what Basta tried to do! What? (INTRIGUING FOLK MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) 1 Come home. Please, come home. Good story, I'll give you that. Silvertongues, it's a wonderful concept, I wish I'd thought of it. It's too absurd to take seriously. I know my characters are so believable that they seem to leap off the page but it's simply not possib- Exactly as I imagined him. (WHIMPERS) This must be what it's like to give birth. Where are you going? He doesn't want to meet you. Of course he does, I'm practically his father. What was that at the end? It's called Dragon's breath. You can teach to me? I'm sure this must be very exciting for you to meet your character. But the whole purpose that we came here was to find a way... ..to get him back in the book. Your father's just given me an idea for a character. A master thief who steals things the way a blue jay swipes shiny objects off windowsills. I am not stealing your characters. Snatch them out of my book and now you're keeping them from me. That is pure thievery. I'm just trying to get by wife back. Dustfinger? I tried to stop him. So wonderful to meet you. Oh, no, no, no. Scars are perfect. As hideous as I imagined. I told you, he's afraid. What of? Not me, I hope. No... He's afraid of what happens at the end of the book. What do you mean? Because he dies? Oh no. Oh I see. I'm sorry. He dies in the end? I had to make the story exciting, that's my job. They can't all have happy endings! Life doesn't always after all. How does it happen? You're killed by one of Capricorn's men. While trying to save Gwin. It's a very touching death scene, I cried when I wrote it. You think I care what you wrote? You don't control my fate otherwise I wouldn't be here. I'm not just some character in your book. And you. You're not my God. Now listen, old man. Do you have a copy of the book or don't you? Because I would like to go home now please. (GULPS) The problem is it's been out of print for decades. The original print run was quite small. Then there was the fire in the warehouse. Eventually the publishers went out of business. (This is going to take forever.) Stop it! This is no time to act foolishly. Stop it! You are as a sour as goat's urine! Thanks(!) And I don't want to know how you know that. Look around. This garden is paradise. No slave drivers, no sand storms, no fleas - No peace and quiet. No, it's not that one either. I did hold on to a few copies but I loaned them to a book exhibition in Genua a few years ago and they were stolen. I suppose Capricorn is behind the theft. At the time I assumed it was just bad luck. Ah! Here we are. What is it? The original manuscript! Look at that! Type written, can you imagine? Grabbies! After all these years. I still remember the characters. The water nymphs in the Wayless Wood. And in the castles of Umbra... ..The Black Prince. The Motley Folk. And of course you, Dustfinger. As well as the villains - The Adderhead, Capricorn and the Fire Raisers. And the worst of all, The Shadow. It's a wonderful book I must say. I'd give anything to go into it myself. Get in line, old man. I've got page 209 to 447. What do you got? I have the rest. Need that. Now you can read me back, right? I'll try to, but that's only after I've read my wife out and she's all right. It's the only way I'm gonna do it. We might have a problem. What? You can't read her out. Why? Because she's not in the book. What are you not telling me?! I've seen her. She's not actually in the book any more. She's... Where? Capricorn's village. Darius read her out. She's alive?! We were just there and you didn't tell me! We needed the book. We didn't! I needed the book! My Mum was there and you didn't tell us? Listen, don't look at me like that. If your dad knew the truth he would never have come and helped me get the book. Selfish, repugnant, weak character! Blame him, he wrote me that way. I disagree! Tell me how to find her! Not until you promise to read me back in the book. Tell me how to find my wife. I miss my family too. All right. Promise? Promise. I want to help save Mum too. Take me with you. You know I can't do that. But I can help. You can help by staying here and being safe. That's what you can do. You don't know what I can do. And neither do I. Meggie, please - OK. Stay here. Thank you very much. Take care of Meggie. Yes. And Farid as well. What? Take care of Farid as well. Of course. Why can't I come too, it's my car. Sweetheart. Just bring her back. I will. Reduced to babysitting. Marvellous(!) 1 < Hurry up, we'll miss the train. How long will it take us to get there? Not very long, come on. Can I sit next to you, Mum? Me too! I'll sit in the middle. (SNORING) (WHISPERING) "That just happened," Dorothy said, simply. You have no right to... If you wish me to use my magic powers to send you home, you must do something for me first. Help me and I will help you." "What must I do?" said the girl. "Kill the Wicked Witch of the West." (CACKLING) "From the far north they heard a low wail of the wind. and Uncle Henry and Dorothy could see where the long grass bowed before the coming storm." (BANGING) "It was Toto that made Dorothy laugh. "He was a little black dog with long silky hair and small black eyes that twinkled merrily on either side of his funny wee nose." Toto? Oh, Toto, don't be scared. You're just not in Kansas anymore. Toto! Toto! Come out from under there. You're going to get me in trouble. (KNOCKING) It's me. Open the door. Uh... Just a minute. Not another sound. I mean it. I'm sorry, I had no choice. But look, it's Basta and... I'm sorry but I'm afraid all the henchman blend into one, even to me! Hello Princess. Where's your father? I told them he'd gone back, they don't believe me. You told them? He held a knife to my throat! Isn't he awful? They don't believe I'm the author. Tell us where Silvertongue is before I kill you both. (BARKS) Toto, no! Toto? Oh my goodness! She's inherited her father's gift. Another Silvertongue. Capricorn will be pleased. Bring them both. So if Darius read her out of the book - No, no... She's fine. Mostly. Mostly? She's got no voice. What? He read her out last spring and she has no voice. But apart from that she's fine. (GWIN SQUEAKING) Pull over. For what? Just pull over. Well makes sense. You speaking weasel. I thought I told you to stay with the old man! < But he's mean. Not as mean as Capricorn. He doesn't scare me. I was raised by murderers and thieves. Well he should scare you. I should make you walk back. I'd only follow you. Get in. After all this you can teach me Dragon's breath and - Just get in the car. Hello, Mr Fenoglio? Oh. Oh. These guys are just circling the perimeter. We should move in now. When we get to the maids quarters, Resa's room is the third door on the right, when we go in the back. I'll go in the back. You guys cover me. All right, this is our way in. Listen, this will be dangerous. So you need to keep up. Gotta move quickly. After you. Shall we rest? No, that's OK. Keep moving. Kids. I'm fine. (YELLS) < What was that? < There. < Over there. Bring him down. Thanks. Oh no. Come on, quick. < Hurry, go on. < Head him off at the square! < Don't let them get away! Look. Look at this. Look at the Dragon's Breath. I think I got it. Here, feel my hand. It's been too long. I'm going to see if he is all right. Come on. We'll find him. Can't be far away. (Well done.) Thank you. My pleasure. Look who's back. This is nice. Just in time for your execution. All right. Capricorn castle is like a five-star hotel. Not for you, obviously. You'll be locked in the crypt. But some of our guests get a room with a view. (YELLS) Resa. Sorry. Listen. Your husband's here. He's come to rescue you. (UPBEAT MUSIC) Uh... You can never have too much coinage with Burger King's new Change Range, starting from just $1 ` and the new Bacon Cheeseburger for just $3. Burgers the way they're meant to be. 1 2 That way! That way! < Come on! What happened? They are going to kill Dustfinger. They're going to kill him and it's my fault. No it's not, just tell me what happened. In all the letters of the alphabet. It looks just like my book! It's like walking into my imagination. I wonder what Capricorn's going to make you read. I hope it is something good. I'm excited, I am. Are you, eh? "'What raft, Jim.' 'Our old raft' You mean to say our old raft wasn't smashed all to flinders?" (CHEERING) I'm convinced. Though I don't know what that poor boy is going to do without his raft. (LAUGHTER) I'm tired of doing stupid tricks for you. Tell me where my father is. I have absolutely no idea. Quite frankly I don't care because you read just as well as he does. What are you gawking at? You're just as I wrote you. A cowardly thug. How dare you. You'll pay for your filthy story. Only the k-k-king can pull it out. Don't you rem-m-member? (LAUGHS) Don't you ever laugh at me. (BARKS) Get it away from me! I want it executed with the others. The dog? You want the dog executed? As for you, see how enamoured of your creations you are when the shadow is flaying the skin off your back. You can't bring it out of the book. You burned the last copy. I saw you do it. Wrong. I saved a copy of the book for myself. Aren't I full of surprises? I couldn't burn them all. Could I? Not with my old friend trapped inside. You are going to love him. And by love, I mean cower in terror from. You see, I love this world. And I intend to write my name on every page of it. You and the shadow are going to help me do just that. I won't read anything for you. Really? Let me show you what happens to those who disobey me round here. She's been very naughty, this one. Tiresome in the extreme. Always trying to escape. So I'm putting an end to it. Mum? Mum! It is you. Mo's here. We're going to get out. We're going to escape. Well... What a touching display of empathy. "Mum." Look at me. Yes, I can see the resemblance. Do you still think I can't convince you to read for me? No! Mum, Mum! Please. Please! Is it too late to make any changes? Changes? Perhaps you might be able to add a few lines, know what I mean? I don't need to be some great beauty. It's just I don't know if you noticed my nose. I'd like a nice one. Your nose, yes. Think you could do that? Rewrite things, change things a bit. I don't know. Wonderful idea. Move. What are you doing? Get off me! You can't go down there. They have my daughter! They'll kill her if you do anything stupid. I should never have left her alone. We have to stay hidden. Nothing to be frightened of, just a bunch of dusty old coffins. If there are any nasty spirits down here, it's not us they are angry at. Princess needs to rest that voice of hers for tonight. I've seen my mum. She's a prisoner. I know. Have you seen my dad? Yeah, he's fine. Capricorn's got another copy of the book. He's going to make me read The Shadow out of it. I have Mo's gift. I can do it. Well then you could read me back. "One moonlit night the shadow turned on his despicable..." (Make him kill Capricorn.) Make The Shadow do it. Food for the little princess. Capricorn wants you to have your strength for tonight. You should stay. We're telling ghost stories. Oh that's right you don't like ghost stories! I'll give you ghost stories - My pouch! You don't have your good luck charm to protect - Give me that back! Come in and get it. What are you doing? Someone's got to get us out and I don't think it's gonna be the writer. You give that back to me. You be careful. Maybe I don't need my good luck. Time to finish what we started. By the bones of the dead man in this coffin, I curse you. Don't you say that! May his spirit haunt your every step. You take that back! > Open this gate. Hurry up! Open the gate. > Let me out. Help! The prisoners are escaping. The fire, use your fire. Hurry up. The prisoners are escaping. The prisoners are escaping! The prisoners are escaping! Help! Sorry, I can't. I can't, I'm sorry. Stay! Don't go. Don't be selfish just because that's how I wrote you. You're more than that you said so yourself. Stay and help us. > The prisoners are escaping! Help! > Let me out. (ECHOES) Don't leave. Come back. Oh God. (UPBEAT MUSIC) Uh... You can never have too much coinage with Burger King's new Change Range, starting from just $1 ` and the new Bacon Cheeseburger for just $3. Burgers the way they're meant to be. * This is quite possibly the most stupid thing you've ever done in your life, Elinor. There are a bunch of murderous thugs up there. What do think you're going to do, just walk in and tell them what to do? Very likely to listen to you, aren't they? Silly old bookworm with your head in the clouds. Thank you. You're alive! Thank you. All right, that's enough. Did you find them? Resa, Meggie, how are they? There're fine. Good. For now. But Capricorn has a copy of the book. He what? He kept one secretly. That was always his plan. To have The Shadow read out of the book. I can't read The Shadow out. That would kill us all. He doesn't need you any more. He found someone else. Meggie. Meggie? Having writer's block? Maybe I can help. Oh yes, that's right. You want to be a writer. You say that as if it's a bad thing. No, no, it's just a lonely thing. Sometimes the world you create on the page seems more friendly and alive than the world you actually live in. Do you wish you could be there instead? You're a clever girl, Meggie. I couldn't have hoped for a finer young lady to be shut up in a crypt with whilst awaiting my execution. I haven't really got what I need yet. But it's very close. Why are they early? This is most inconvenient. Put one here somewhere. The words have to be perfect or it won't work. They have to be written by the writer. It has to sound like Inkheart. Here it is. Here what is? Something for her to remember me by after I'm gone. Aw. I don't think much of your crude scribblings, old man. Well you are my crude scribblings, Magpie, I'd be careful what I scrumple up if I were you. Where are you taking her? To put on a party frock. Don't worry, you're invited to the feast as well. We wouldn't eat without you. In fact you're the main course. The Shadow will be feeding on you and that maid later tonight. Rest assured somebody will be back to fetch you. You wanted to be alone, didn't you? Well here you are. Alone in the wilderness. Mosquito bites and blisters. Oh God. Do you have a plan? No. No plan, just rent a motorbike, find a map. We'll figure it out when we get there. This is the plan. You use your fire and create a distraction. I can set fire to the castle. I can help, too. Don't get in my way. When Capricorns men try to put the fire out, I move in, I rescue Meggie and Resa. But we are outnumbered and they have these... Guns? That's why we disguise ourselves as black jackets, let's go. Well, come on then! This really is a beautiful little village. But it'll be nice to have something a bit bigger. Stretch out. Expand my Kingdom's borders. That's why I need The Shadow. I don't want anyone else escaping. If you don't stop shaking, I'm going to stick you with a pin. Do you honestly expect me to read an entire army out of this book? Do you have a better idea? No. Thought not. (CHEERING) Get a move on. Go on. Come on! (LAUGHS) Go on. Forward. Don't try anything funny or you'll never see your mother alive again. Please. The time has come to be reunited with our old friend. (CHEERING) Oi! Well, tie him up then. Good evening. Do you want to get out of here? Then you are going to have to help me. (CROWD CHANT) Inkheart. You are very good at that. Doesn't mean we are friends or anything. Read it! Read it. Read it! I've got it, here. "Capricorn led an army of brutal men who struck fear in the hearts and minds of all those they came in contact with. Whenever they passed by, people closed their doors and hid with their children." "But of all the villains lurking in the Wayless Wood, the one most feared and reviled was known simply as The Shadow." The Shadow. "Made from the ashes of Capricorn's victims, the shadow was immortal and in-vulnerable and as pitiless as his master. His fingers and even his breath brought death, scenting his way like a hound on the trail." "He appears only when Capricorn calls him, rising from the ground, a faceless and fiery beast - No, stop reading. Stop, stop it! ..consume his next victim." Stop reading, Meggie. Meggie, stop reading! Beautiful. Feast. Mum! Toto. Good boy. Mum! Feast. "Yet one starlit night, the shadow heard a different voice. The voice of a girl and when she called his name he remembered. He remembered all those from whose ashes he was made. All the pain and grief. The shadow remembered he was determined to take revenge. Revenge on those whose cruelty was the cause of all this misfortune." Make her stop. "The shadow went to his master and reached out to him with ashen hands." < That's not right! That's not the book. Those aren't the real words. Stop her. Some body stop her reading. Stop her! Meggie, watch out! Mo! Mo! Give that 'ere! Give it back! What a pleasant turn of events. Silvertongue, you're just in time for dinner. 1 (BELL) No! Not my castle! Attack! A-t-t-tack! Get out of my way! Get off me! You think these misfits can conquer me? Go! Devour her! You'll have to get past me first. Watch out, Mo! Just keep reading. What? Keep reading! I can't, there's nothing left to read! Then write. Come on, Meggie! You can do it! "The shadow turned away from the innocent." Come on! "The shadow turned away from the innocent, And back to the evil master who had controlled him all these years. The shadow reached out to him with ashen hands. And as it did, Capricorn began to crackle and fade, like the old page of a book. Growing transparent and thin as paper." I won't let you! Dad! "Capricorns ink-black soul filled with terror. As he saw the end was near. And so too did the souls of all those within The Shadow's gaze. Who'd committed villainy in Capricorn's name. And then they blew away, like ashes in the wind!" "While the terrible monster himself disintegrated and was no more." It's Meggie, she's reading. They're going back into their books. I'm going to miss it! I don't want to go back into my stinking book. "All those who'd been summoned against their will, who were in sight of the girl were set free and set right and sent back from whence they came." Mo. Mo! Toto. Meggie! Please, set me free. "The old creator finally got his wish, disappearing into the world he had only dreamed about. Then finally, after what seemed almost a lifetime of wishing, the young girl finally got her most heartfelt dream. While the mother she knew she'd see again and the father she cherished... Meggie! ..came running to embrace their only... Darling, I've missed you. What happened? I missed it. I missed it. They are all gone. I got here too late to go home. They will never read me back in now. He said he'd try after he got his wife back. He won't. He'd never risk losing her again. And I wouldn't make him. Stop it, Elinor. It's so silly to cry at happy endings. Come here. Dustfinger. Dustfinger? Let's go. Come on. It's time to go. Meggie, quickly come on! The book's gone. It doesn't matter, we don't need it. Great, now I'm gonna have nightmares for weeks. You're all right? You were going to leave without me? Oh no. You're better off with them. Well, if you're going, you should probably bring this with you. You stole this? I learned from the best. I thought maybe we could find someone, another reader, someone who could send you back. What about that girl? You like her, don't you? You come with me, you may never see her again. I stole photo from Silvertongue's pocket. Well, if I'm going to be saddled with you, you can make yourself useful. We've got a long walk ahead of us. Dustfinger! Dustfinger! I promised. It's your turn now. Are you sure you want to do this? You remember what happens... It's like I told the writer, he doesn't control me. My fate's in my own hands now. Good luck. Hey, don't take with the wrong way but...don't come back, OK? Do it. "It had been many years since Dustfinger had set eyes on the rolling meadows and the old mill. But it was even more beautiful than he remembered. The butterflies flitted above the grass..." He's gone back. Where he wants to be. What about you? I can't follow him. Because I kept Gwin behind, end of his story will be different. He's not going to die. You can stay with us. It was Mum's idea. Sorry. Shouldn't I have said that? Just don't expect me to read you back. You can teach me to read? Yeah, maybe. I can teach you Dragon's breath. Roxanne! Roxanne.