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Sling Blade: A Screenplay
Offers the screenplay for the film about a man who is released from an asylum twenty-five years after committing a gruesome crime and returns to his hometown, where he befriends a widow and her young son
- GenresDrama
165 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 16, 2012
I have seen this movie over a dozen times and just had to have this book. I love it too! I think every child should have a Karl!
September 21, 2026
How Screenplay differs from Movie: Sling Blade
-After Karl help Frank tote the “warsh” back to his house, he goes to the bus station and asks the worker how he get up to the state hospital. (not in movie)
-Woodridge takes Karl to his house to spend the night. He shows him the room he is going to sleep in. Woodridge then goes to the kitchen where his wife and son are. The son asks his Dad if they should have someone stand guard all night because he is a “nut”. Woodridge says “hell no.” He is very trusting of Karl. (not in movie)
-When Doyle decides he wants to party, Frank and Linda go to the garage and warn Karl about the party and how Doyle will make fun of him to his friends. Doyle then appears in garage and tells Linda he called Vaughn over too. He then asks Karl and Frank to get a bucket of ice for the beer. Short scene not in the movie. Its not bad but isn’t necessary, I see why it was cut.
-When the band is playing at the party, Doyle stops and introduces the band members. Linda has to tell Karl to clap or Doyle will get angry. (not in movie)
-When they run out of alcohol, they make a trip to the county line. In the movie you see Vaughn and Karl go with Doyle and that is it. Screenplay has him driving reckless, and pulling up next to a cop at a stop light. He knows the cop and they talk and Doyle challenges him to a race. The Cop says not while on duty. This scene shows that Doyle has connections and he feels entitled to be as mean as he wants. (not in movie).
-There is a scene where Karl tells Frank about his little brother being born and how he buried him when he was only 6 years old. That part was preceded by a long dialogue between Frank and Karl. One part of the conversation was Frank telling Karl he wants to get flowers for the girl he likes but he doesn’t have any money. He thinks Vaughn will let him have some and Karl even said he would pay for the flowers for him. They also talked about how The Bible says not fooling around until marriage, and no self-touching. Frank talked about how he had done it and Karl told him he shouldn’t. This would be an uncomfortable scene in the movie, glad they cut it.
-There is a scene where Frank and Karl go to Karen’s house. She is the girl that he likes and he can’t be with because he is poor. The housekeeper answers and tried to convince him to leave because the parents won’t let him see her. Karen eventually comes down and takes the flowers and tells him she has a new boyfriend. He wants her to go to the secret place with him and Karl, she declines and says maybe she will see him later. I don’t remember if this scene was in the movie (will confirm).
-Karl is in the garage reading his book on carpentry when Frank comes in. Frank is depressed because Doyle is back and looks like he is moving in for good. He is also sad about Karen blowing him off. Karl says that he is getting off work early tomorrow because Bill Cox has a funeral to go to. He tells Frank he is willing to play ball with he and his friends. Frank gets really excited. (not in movie).
-After Karl help Frank tote the “warsh” back to his house, he goes to the bus station and asks the worker how he get up to the state hospital. (not in movie)
-Woodridge takes Karl to his house to spend the night. He shows him the room he is going to sleep in. Woodridge then goes to the kitchen where his wife and son are. The son asks his Dad if they should have someone stand guard all night because he is a “nut”. Woodridge says “hell no.” He is very trusting of Karl. (not in movie)
-When Doyle decides he wants to party, Frank and Linda go to the garage and warn Karl about the party and how Doyle will make fun of him to his friends. Doyle then appears in garage and tells Linda he called Vaughn over too. He then asks Karl and Frank to get a bucket of ice for the beer. Short scene not in the movie. Its not bad but isn’t necessary, I see why it was cut.
-When the band is playing at the party, Doyle stops and introduces the band members. Linda has to tell Karl to clap or Doyle will get angry. (not in movie)
-When they run out of alcohol, they make a trip to the county line. In the movie you see Vaughn and Karl go with Doyle and that is it. Screenplay has him driving reckless, and pulling up next to a cop at a stop light. He knows the cop and they talk and Doyle challenges him to a race. The Cop says not while on duty. This scene shows that Doyle has connections and he feels entitled to be as mean as he wants. (not in movie).
-There is a scene where Karl tells Frank about his little brother being born and how he buried him when he was only 6 years old. That part was preceded by a long dialogue between Frank and Karl. One part of the conversation was Frank telling Karl he wants to get flowers for the girl he likes but he doesn’t have any money. He thinks Vaughn will let him have some and Karl even said he would pay for the flowers for him. They also talked about how The Bible says not fooling around until marriage, and no self-touching. Frank talked about how he had done it and Karl told him he shouldn’t. This would be an uncomfortable scene in the movie, glad they cut it.
-There is a scene where Frank and Karl go to Karen’s house. She is the girl that he likes and he can’t be with because he is poor. The housekeeper answers and tried to convince him to leave because the parents won’t let him see her. Karen eventually comes down and takes the flowers and tells him she has a new boyfriend. He wants her to go to the secret place with him and Karl, she declines and says maybe she will see him later. I don’t remember if this scene was in the movie (will confirm).
-Karl is in the garage reading his book on carpentry when Frank comes in. Frank is depressed because Doyle is back and looks like he is moving in for good. He is also sad about Karen blowing him off. Karl says that he is getting off work early tomorrow because Bill Cox has a funeral to go to. He tells Frank he is willing to play ball with he and his friends. Frank gets really excited. (not in movie).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2024
Yes, I am one of those rare few people that has never seen the movie Sling Blade. As I am slowly but surely working my way down my list of movies I've yet to see I saw that this had a screen play. So obviously I had to read it real quick.
It was nice to be able to read it without knowing what the plot of the story was even thought it is 30 years old. I looked up the cast and I'm excited to finally watch the movie.
It was nice to be able to read it without knowing what the plot of the story was even thought it is 30 years old. I looked up the cast and I'm excited to finally watch the movie.
May 5, 2017
This is an interesting story and a look into psychological problems, The character of Karl is intriguing and unexpected.
August 3, 2012
Great book
December 26, 2016
This is a great novel with a great story line.
April 27, 2017
This is without a doubt the greatest book ever written. Billy Bob Thornton is a genius. Mhm biscuits and mustard.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews