Bass Reeves, U.S. Marshall

BASS REEVES, U.S. Marshal Synopsis 97 pages - Feature Length Screenplay This dynamic true story is based on Bass Reeves, a battered Civil War slave that escapes his brutal existence to become the first black U.S. Marshal. In 1838, Bass Reeves was born into slavery. He was trained as a blacksmith and later a house servant. At twenty-two, Bass was sent to the American Civil War as a personal servant to his owner's son, Confederate Colonel George Reeves. On a quiet night in a Confederate War Camp, Bass was forced to play poker with the drunken Colonel. Soon the Colonel went into an alcoholic rage and attacked Bass because he was winning. Out of desperation to stop the Colonel's brutal beating Bass knocked the Colonel to the ground, a hanging offense in the warring South. Bass immediately fled, pursued by Confederate Guards. He reached the wild woodlands of Indian Territory eventually living with a band of American Indians who took pity on him. They taught Bass to shoot and fight, but more importantly, he learned to be a good and honorable man. In the wild Territory, Bass met an old Choctaw Indian named SOBAH (70), meaning Horse. They became friends and loved to poke fun at each other. The fun-loving and mysterious Sobah always seems to show up when Bass needed him most. The brutal Civil War raged on for five more years. Finally, all slaves were freed. Hearing the news, Bass left for Arkansas, his roots and married his long-time love, Nellie, a truly beautiful soul. The loving couple had eleven children and Bass became a scout for the U.S. Marshall's office hunting outlaws in Indian Territory. In 1875, Bass was commissioned a Deputy U.S. Marshall by, Hanging Judge Parker, working out of the federal court in Fort Smith Arkansas. Years later Bass’ elder son was charged with killing his philandering wife. Bass was heartbroken, but his sense of duty and honor, caused him to arrest his own son. Bass went about his Federal duties, serving for thirty-two years. This unsung hero made over three thousand arrests and reluctantly put fourteen notches on his Colt revolver, overshadowing the nearest lawman to his record, who was Wyatt Earp with around four hundred arrests. Sadly, Bass was pushed out as a Marshall and relegated to the poor duty of a ghetto policeman in Muskogee Oklahoma. This uncommon man rose from slavery to become the first black U.S. Deputy Marshall, a genuinely dynamic accomplishment considering the prejudices and roadblocks of the time. THIS IS HIS POWERFUL STORY SCREENPLAY AND RELEASE ON REQUEST - Sam Bass – 501/240-3253, screenplay155 @ gmail.com