Mulan Script
Mulan Script
[First lines, a Chinese painting of the Great Wall of China is slowly painted across the screen.
The words Walt Disney Pictures present and then Mulan and the dragon symbol appear. The
painting becomes animated, and a Chinese soldier walks around his post. Suddenly, a bird of
prey hits the back of his head.]
Soldier: Ah! [The hawk lets out a call. The soldier walks over to the edge of the wall. A hook
comes flying up, followed by many more. Running back to his post] We're under attack! Light
the signal!
[The door opens, revealing a couple of Huns. The soldier climbs up the ladder.]
Soldier: [lighting the signal with a torch, while staring at the Hun leader; other signals go on all
the way along the Great Wall] Now all of China knows you're here.
Shan Yu: [picking up a flag and toasting it in the signal fire] Perfect.
The Imperial Palace
[The Chinese General and two soldiers walk into the emperor’s chamber and bow.]
General: Your Majesty, the Huns have crossed our Northern Border.
Chi Fu: Impossible! No one can get through the Great Wall! [He is silenced with a raised hand
from the emperor]
General: Shan Yu is leading them. We'll set up defenses around your palace immediately.
Emperor: No! [Standing up] Send your troops to protect my people! Chi Fu!
Chi Fu: Yes, your Highness.
Emperor: Deliver conscription notices throughout all the provinces. Call up reserves, and as
many new recruits as possible.
General: Forgive me, your Majesty, but I believe my troops can stop him.
Emperor: I won't take any chances, General. A single grain of rice can tip the scale; one man
may be the difference between victory and defeat.
Mulan's Morning
[The scene changes to our heroine, Fa Mulan, in her bedroom.]
Mulan: [Using chopsticks to balance a grain of rice] "Quiet and demure. Graceful. Polite.
Delicate. Refined. Poised. [she picks up a paintbrush and makes a mark on her arm] Punctual."
[A rooster crows] Ai-yah! [Blowing on her arm] Little Brother! Little Brother! Lit-- [she glances
down at a sleeping dog on the floor] Ah! There you are. [The dog wakes up] Who's the smartest
doggy in the world? Come on, smart boy. Can you help me with my chores today?
[She ties a sack of chicken feed to his back, complete with a pole and a bone attached. Little
Brother immediately chases the bone, running promptly into a wall and then out the door,
scattering grain everywhere. A flock of chickens nearby eat the grain. Little Brother passes the
pen of Mulan's horse, Khan, who shows annoyance, then heads up to the Fa Family Temple
where Mulan's ailing father, Fa Zhou, is praying.]
Fa Zhou: [praying] Honorable ancestors, please help Mulan impress the matchmaker today.
[Little Brother, followed by a herd of chickens, bursts into the family temple.] Please. Please
help her.
[Mulan steps up to the temple seeing Little Brother on his hind legs trying to get the bone. Mulan
bends the stick down so that Little Brother can reach the bone. Little Brother gnaws on the bone
happily. Mulan continues toward the temple.]
Mulan: Father, I brought your... Whoa! [She bangs into Fa Zhou; he catches the tea pot on his
cane while the cups hit the ground and shatter]
Fa Zhou: Mulan.
Mulan: I brought a spare. [Mulan pulls out a cup from underneath the back of her dress and
begins to pour the tea.]
Fa Zhou: Mulan.
Mulan: Remember, the doctor said three cups of tea in the morning...
Fa Zhou: Mulan.
Mulan: ...and three at night.
Fa Zhou: Mulan, you should already be in town. We're counting on you to...
Mulan: ...uphold the family honor. Don't worry, Father. I won't let you down. Wish me luck.
Fa Zhou: Hurry! I'm going to... pray some more.
The Matchmaker
[Mulan and the maidens gather outside the Matchmaker's office; they spread parasols and bow as
the Matchmaker comes out.]
Matchmaker: "Fa Mulan."
Mulan: Present.
Matchmaker: Speaking without permission.
Mulan: Oops. [They go inside]
Granny Fa: [to Fa Li] Who spit in her bean curd?
[The Matchmaker slams the doors closed. Inside, the Matchmaker inspects Mulan's looks.]
Matchmaker: Huh. Hmm. Mmm. Too skinny. Hmph! Not good for bearing sons.
[Cri-Kee hops out of his cage, Mulan frantically tries to put him back in.]
Matchmaker: Recite the Final Admonition.
Mulan: Mmm-hmm-hmm. [muffled chirping] [pulls out a paper fan and spits Cri-Kee out]
Matchmaker: Well?
Mulan: Fulfill your duties, calmly and... [glances down at the crib notes written on her arm,
which are smeared slightly] respectfully. Um, reflect before you snack... Act! This shall bring
you honor and glory. [She fans herself; the matchmaker grabs the fan and searches it for cheat
notes. Finding none, she grabs Mulan by the arm (where the notes are!) and pulls her toward a
table. The writing comes off in her hand.]
Matchmaker: Hmm. This way. Now, pour the tea. To please your future in-laws, you must
demonstrate a sense of dignity... [she rubs her hand over her mouth, and the ink rubs off with a
squeak] ...and refinement. [Mulan, staring at the Matchmaker, pours the tea but misses the cup,
then regains her composure and quickly fills the teacup.] You must also be poised.
[Mulan notices Cri-Kee relaxing happily in the tea. The Matchmaker takes the teacup.]
Mulan: Um, pardon me.
Matchmaker: And silent! [sniffs] Ahhh.
Mulan: Could I just take that back? One moment. [She grabs for the cup]
[The Matchmaker fights for the teacup, and they both fall back, the tea spilling all over the
Matchmaker. Cri-Kee hops down her dress.]
Matchmaker: Why, you clumsy... Whoo Whoo! Aaah! Whoo! Aaah! [fire sizzling] [She trips
over the fire-pot, spilling the coals and then sitting on them, the bottom of her dress smoking.
Mulan desperately fans the burned spot, and it bursts into flames. The matchmaker runs around
shrieking.]
[Outside]
SFX: loud crash
Granny Fa: [To Fa Li] I think it's going well, don't you?
[The matchmaker runs outside, shrieking.]
Matchmaker: Put it out! Put it out! Put it out! [Mulan throws tea over her, putting out the fire.
Embarrassed, she hands the teapot to the Matchmaker and quickly walks toward Fa Li and
Granny Fa.]
Matchmaker: [panting furiously] You are a disgrace! You may look like a bride, but you will
never bring your family honor!
[People start to walk away, whispering. Mulan is crushed.]
"Reflection"/Fa Zhou's advice
[At the Fa farm]
[Mulan is greeted with a warm smile by her father, but, humiliated, she turns away and takes
Khan to the stable.]
[Beginning of "Reflection"]
Mulan: [singing] Look at me... I will never pass for a perfect bride or a perfect daughter Can it
be? I'm not meant to play this part? Now I see That if I were truly to be myself, I would break
my family's heart. Who is that girl I see Staring straight back at me Why is my reflection
someone I don't know Somehow, I cannot hide Who I am, though I've tried When will my
reflection show Who I am inside? When will my reflection show Who I am, inside?
[Mulan wipes off her makeup and undoes her topknot; she glumly sits on a bench in the garden.
Fa Zhou joins her.]
Fa Zhou: My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year. But look, this one's late. I bet
when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all.
[He puts Mulan's comb in her hair; she smiles.]
Fa Zhou is ordered to join the army
[Drums sound]
Mulan: What is it?
[Imperial soldiers and Chi Fu come riding over a hill.]
Fa Li: Mulan, stay inside.
Granny Fa: Ahem. [points toward a low roof. Mulan runs over to it and peers over the roof.]
Chi Fu: Citizens! I bring a proclamation from the Imperial City! The Huns have invaded China!
By order of the emperor, one man from every family must serve in the Imperial Army. [Reading
from list] The Hsiao Family! The Yi Family!
Yi Family Son: I will serve the emperor in my father's place.
Chi Fu: The Fa Family!
Mulan: No!
[Her father walks over to Chi Fu.]
Fa Zhou: I am ready to serve the emperor.
Mulan: Father, you can't go!
Fa Zhou: Mulan!
Mulan: [To Chi Fu] Please, sir, my father has already fought for--
Chi Fu: Silence! You will do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man's presence.
Fa Zhou: Mulan. You dishonor me.
Chi Fu: Report tomorrow at the Wu Zhong Camp. [He hands Fa Zhou a scroll.]
Fa Zhou: Yes, sir.
Chi Fu: [Continues to read] The Chu Family! The Wen Family! The Chang Family! The Yong
Family!
Worried for Fa Zhou
In Fa Zhou's bedroom]
[Fa Zhou yanks open his closet, revealing a suit of Chinese armor, and unsheathes a sword.
Mulan watches. He practices techniques, but his leg gives out and he falls against a pillar,
panting.]
[At dinner]
[Mulan pours the tea, then sets her cup down with a bang.]
Mulan: You shouldn't have to go!
Fa Li: Mulan!
Mulan: There are plenty of young men to fight for China!
Fa Zhou: It is an honor to protect my country and my family.
Mulan: So, you'll die for honor.
Fa Zhou: I will die doing what's right.
Mulan: But if you...
Fa Zhou: I know my place. It is time you learned yours.
Mulan's Decision
[Mulan stares at her father for a moment, then runs outside crying. Mulan is sitting in a statue of
a dragon, crying. It is raining. Through the window of her house, she can see her mother and
father talking. Fa Zhou picks up the candle and blows it out. Mulan thinks for a minute, then
makes her decision.]
[Mulan walks into the Family Temple and lights a stick, placing it in a hanging statue of a small
dragon. She runs into her parent's room, taking the scroll and leaving her hair comb. Taking her
father's sword, she cuts her hair short and puts on her father's armor. Going out to the stable, she
mounts Khan and sets off for the army.]
[The eyes of a statue in the temple flash, and Granny Fa wakes up.]
Granny Fa: Mulan is gone!
Fa Zhou: What? (Finds Mulan's comb on his night stand in place of his conscription notice.) It
can't be. (He checks the cabinet and sees his armor is gone. He hurries outside) MULAN! [He
stumbles to the ground due to his leg injury. He watches as the open gate sways.] No...
Fa Li: You must go after her. She could be killed.
Fa Zhou: If I reveal her, she will be.
Granny Fa: Ancestors, hear our prayer. Watch over Mulan.
A man's world
[At the Moo-Shung Camp]
Mushu: Okay, this is it! Time to show them your man-walk. Shoulders back, chest high, feet
apart, head up, and strut! Two three, break that bone, two, three, and work it!
Mushu: [They pass men trimming their toenails and picking their noses.] Beautiful, isn't it.
Mulan: They're disgusting.
Mushu: No, they're men. And you're gonna have to act just like them, so pay attention.
Recruit: Look! This tattoo will protect me from harm!
Yao: Hmmm... [punches the recruit]
Ling: [laughing] I hope you can get your money back!
Mulan: I don't think I can do this...
Mushu: It's all attitude! Be tough, like this guy here!
Yao: [spits] What are you looking at?
Mushu: Punch him. It's how men say hello. [Mulan punches Yao; he slams into Chien Po.]
Chien Po: Oh, Yao! You've made a friend!
Mushu: Good. Now slap him on the behind. They like that. [Mulan slaps Yao.]
Yao: Woo hoo ... I'm gonna hit you so hard, it'll make your ancestors dizzy.
Chien Po: [picks up Yao] Yao, relax and chant with me.
Yao: Eerrrrrgh ....
Chien Po: [rocks Yao back and forth like a teddy bear] Nanuami tofu dah...
Yao: Nonuamitofudah.
Chien Po: Feel better?
Yao: Yeah. Ah, you ain't worth my time. Chicken boy.
Mushu: Chicken boy!? Say that to my face, you limp noodle!
Yao: Rrraaaaghhh! [Grabs Mulan and punches; she ducks and he punches Ling three times.] Oh,
sorry Ling. Hey! [reaches down to catch Mulan from crawling away]
Ling: You're dead! [kicks him into Chien Po, then attacks with a flying side kick. They start
fighting, with Chien Po swiping to get them off. Mulan scrambles away.] Hey! There he goes!
[They chase Mulan through a tent, and the Gang of Three stop abruptly at the end of the food
line. Chien Po knocks everyone over, like dominoes, and finally the pot overturns. Everyone gets
up and advances on Mulan.]
Mulan: Hey, guys...
[Inside the Captain's Tent]
General: The Huns have struck here, here, and here. I will take the main troops up to the Tung
Chow Pass and stop Shan Yu before he destroys this village.
Chi Fu: Excellent strategy, sir! I do love surprises.
General: [To Li Shang] You will stay and train the new recruits. When Chi Fu believes you're
ready, you will join us... Captain.
Shang: Captain?
Chi Fu: Oh! This is an enormous responsibility, General! Perhaps a soldier with more
experience?
General: Number one in his class, extensive knowledge of training techniques... an impressive
military lineage... I believe Lee Shang will do an excellent job.
Shang: Oh I will! I won't let you down! This is... I mean... Yes sir.
General: Very good, then. We'll toast China's victory at the Imperial City. I'll expect a full report
in three weeks.
Chi Fu: And believe me, I won't leave anything out.
Shang: Captain Lee Shang. Leader of China's finest troops. No, the greatest troops of all time.
[They step outside.]
Chi Fu: Most impressive.
General: Good luck, Captain! Yah! [He rides off, followed by two lines of soldiers on horses.]
Shang: Good luck... Father.
Chi Fu: Day one.
Shang: Soldiers!
[Soldiers separate, revealing a cowering Mulan.]
Soldiers: He started it!
Shang: [to Mulan] I don't need anyone causing trouble in my camp.
Mulan: Sorry... [in a deep voice] I mean, sorry you had to say that. But you know what it is
when you get those manly urges... just gotta kill something. Fix things... a cook outdoors...
Shang: What's your name?
Mulan: Uh...um...uh...
Chi Fu: Your commanding officer just asked you a question!
Mulan: I've got a name... and it's a boy's name, too.
Mushu: Ling! How 'bout Ling?
Mulan: [To Mushu] HIS name is Ling.
Shang: I didn't ask for HIS name, I asked for yours!
Mushu: Uh... Ah-chu!
Mulan: Ah-chu!
Shang: Ah-chu?
Mushu: Gesundheit! Hee hee... I kill myself.
Mulan: Mushu...
Shang: Mushu?
Mulan: No.
Shang: Then what is it?!
Mushu: Ping! Ping was my best friend growing up.
Mulan: It's Ping.
Shang: Ping.
Mushu: 'Course, Ping did steal my girl--
Mulan: [silences him with her hand] Yes. My name is Ping.
Shang: Let me see your conscription notice. [Mulan hands the scroll to him.] Fa Zhou? THE Fa
Zhou?
Chi Fu: I didn't know Fa Zhou had a son.
Mulan: Er, he... doesn't talk about me much. [She attempts to spit, but fails miserably.]
Chi Fu: I can see why. The boy's an absolute lunatic! [Laughter]
Shang: Okay, gentlemen, thanks to your new friend Ping, you'll spend tonight picking up every
single grain of rice. Tomorrow, the real work begins.
[Grumbling]
Mushu: You know, we have to work on your people skills.
Night bathing
[Moo Shung Camp, at night]
Mushu: Hey, this is not a good idea. What if somebody sees you?
Mulan: Just because I look like a man doesn't mean I have to smell like one.
Mushu: So a couple guys don't rinse out their socks. Picky, picky, picky. Myself, I kinda like
that corn-chip smell.
Mulan: [Jumps in the water] Ah.
Mushu: Okay, all right, alright, that's enough, now c'mon, get out before you get all pruney and
stuff.
Mulan: Mushu, if you're so worried, go stand watch!
Mushu: Yeah, yeah. [As Mulan] Stand watch, Mushu, while I blow our secret with my stupid
girly habits! [In normal voice] Hygiene.
[Three (naked) men zoom by, laughing. Underwear is blown onto his face.]
Mushu: We're doomed! There're a couple of things I know they're bound to notice!
[Mulan ducks into the water as Yao, Ling and Chien Po jump into the water. She tries to hide
herself with a lilypad.]
Yao: Hey, Ping!
Mulan: Oh, hi, guys, I didn't know you were here. I was just washing so now I'm clean and I'm
gonna go. Bye-bye.
Ling: Come back here! I know we were jerks to you before, so let's start over. Hi, I'm Ling.
Chien Po: And I'm Chien Po.
Mulan: Hello, Chien Po.
Yao: And I am Yao, King of the Rock! And there's nothing you girls can do about it.
Ling: Oh yeah? Well, I think Ping and I can take you!
Mulan: I really don't want to take him anywhere.
Ling: But, Ping! We have to fight!
Mulan: No, we don't. We could just close our eyes, and... swim around!
Ling: C'mon! Don't be such a girl... ow! Something bit me!
Mushu: What a nasty flavor.
Ling: [sees Mushu] Snake!
[While Yao, Chien Po and Ling are shrieking, Mulan whistles for Khan and sneaks away.]
Ling: [huddled on the rock with Chien Po and Yao] Some King of the Rock. [Yao punches him
into the water.]
Mulan: Boy, that was close.
Mushu: [furiously brushing his teeth] No, that was vile. You owe me big! [Adds a big glob of
toothpaste and brushes more]
Mulan: I never want to see a naked man again.
[A herd of naked men then flash by.]
Mushu: Don't look at me, I ain't bitin' no more butts.
Mushu's plan
[In Chi Fu's tent...]
Chi Fu: You think your troops are ready to fight? Hah! They wouldn't last a minute against the
Huns!
Shang: They completed their training.
Chi Fu: Those boys are no more fit to be soldiers than you are to be captain. Once the general
reads my report, your troops will never see battle.
Mushu: Oh, no, you don't! I've worked too hard to get Mulan into this war! This guy's messing
with my plans!
Shang: We're not finished!
Chi Fu: Be careful, Captain. The general may be your father, but I am the Emperor's Council.
And, oh, by the way, I got that job on my own. You're dismissed.
Mulan: [to Shang] Hey, I'll hold him, and you punch!... Or not. For what it's worth, I think
you're a great captain!
Mushu: I saw that.
Mulan: What?
Mushu: You like him, don't you?
Mulan: No! I...
Mushu: Yeah, right, sure. Go to your tent!
[Smiling, Mulan walks away.]
Mushu: [to Cri-Kee] I think it's time we took this war into our own hands.
[They rush into the tent as Chi Fu strolls out, dressed in a towel, a hat, and slippers.]
[Cri-Kee types out a letter, like a typewriter.]
Mushu: Okay, lemme see what you've got. [reads] From General Lee. 'Dear Son, we're waiting
for the Huns at the pass. It would mean a lot of you'd come and back us up.' Hmm. That's great,
except that you forgot, 'and since we're out of popourri, perhaps you wouldn't mind bringing up
some!' Hello! This is the army! Make it sound a little urgent, please. You know what I'm talking
about?
[Cri-Kee hops around typing out another letter.]
Mushu: That's better, much better! Let's go!
Mushu: Khaney, baby. We need a ride. [Khan squirts him off, and Cri-Kee slowly backs off.]
[At the lake.]
[Laughter]
Chi Fu: [Chi Fu is storming from the lake with a towel wrapped around him and one slipper
missing.] Insubordinate ruffians. You men owe me a new pair of slippers! [More laughter] And I
do not squeal like a girl! [He turns to see a straw soldier (Mushu and Cri-Kee) riding a panda
bear.] Eeeeeeek!!!
Mushu: [In a deep voice] Urgent news from the general! [He holds out a scroll.] What's the
matter, you've never seen a black and white before?
Chi Fu: Who are you?
Mushu: Excuse me? I think the question should be, who are you! We're in a war, man! There's
no time for stupid questions! I should have your hat for that! Snatch it right off your head! But
I'm feeling gracious today, so carry on before I report you.
[Chi Fu turns, and the panda climbs up a nearby tree.]
[In the captain's tent]
Chi Fu: Captain! Urgent news from the general! We're needed at the front!
Mushu: Pack your bags, Cri-Kee, we're moving out!
Victory Celebration
[In the Imperial City]
[The Chinese citizens watch happily as the Imperial City celebrates the Chinese victory with a
parade.]
Parade Leader: Make way for the heroes of China!
[Shang, the Gang of Three and the other soldiers follow glumly behind, and behind them is a
large Chinese dragon with the Huns inside.]
[Mulan comes riding up beside Shang.]
Mulan: Shang!
Shang: Mulan?
Mulan: The Huns are alive! They're in the city!
Shang: You don't belong here, Mulan. Go home.
Mulan: Shang, I saw them in the mountains! You have to believe me!
Shang: Why should I?
Mulan: Why else would I come back? You said you'd trust Ping. Why is Mulan any different?
[Shang rides around her.] [To the Gang of Three] Keep your eyes open. I know they're here. Yah!
Mushu: [as Mulan dismounts Khan] Now where are you going?
Mulan: To find someone who will believe me! [she hurries off into the crowd.]
A happy ending
[At Mulan's house]
[Mulan approaches her father, who is sitting under the cherry trees. She kneels in front of him.]
Fa Zhou: Mulan!
Mulan: Father! I've brought you the sword of Shan-Yu. And the Crest of the Emperor! They're
gifts to honor the Fa Family. [Her father drops the gifts and hugs her.]
Fa Zhou: The greatest gift in honor is having you for a daughter. I've missed you so.
Mulan: I've missed you too, Baba.
Granny Fa: [watching them] Huh. She brings home a sword. If you ask me, she should've
brought home a man!
Shang: Excuse me, does Fa Mulan live here? [Granny Fa and Fa Li point, dumbstruck.] Thank
you.
Granny Fa: Woo! Sign me up for the next four!
Shang: Honorable Fa Zhou, I-- Mulan! Uhhhh... you forgot your helmet. Well, actually it's your
helmet, isn't it, I mean...
Mulan: Would you like to stay for dinner?
Granny Fa: Would you like to stay forever?
Shang: Dinner would be great.
Mushu: [to Great Ancestor] Come on! Who did a good job? C'mon, tell me who did a good job.
Great Ancestor: Oh, all right. You can be a guardian again.
Mushu: Aaaaahhh-haaaaaaa! Whoohoohoohoohoooo!
[Cri-Kee rings the gong; all the ancestors come out.]
Mushu: Take it, Cri-Kee! [Cri-Kee plays a set of drums, and all the ancestors, dance.]
Ancestor #2: You know, she gets it from my side of the family! [Mushu swings on a chain,
yelling. He falls off and goes sliding out the Temple door.]
Great Ancestor: Guardians.
Mulan: Thanks, Mushu. [She kisses him on the forehead. Suddenly, Little Brother, followed by
a herd of chickens, bursts into the Temple.]
Great Ancestor: [last line] Mushu! (or Mulan!)
THE END.