A disabled ex-soldier buys a pair of old shoes from a charity shop, only to discover they belonged to a dead major whose ghost begins to possess him — one step at a time.
Type:
Short
Status:
Available for Free
Page Count:
30pp
Genre:
Horror
Budget:
Shoestring
Age Rating:
17+
Based On:
A shortstory by David Denny
Copyright Details:
David S Denny
Synopsis/Details
Synopsis: Harry Sharples, a 65-year-old disabled ex-soldier, lives alone in a decaying Victorian terrace, haunted by memories of war and the life he lost. One grey afternoon, he buys a pair of second-hand black leather shoes from a local charity shop — tough, old-fashioned things with a strange weight to them. When he puts them on, something changes. His ruined leg stirs. He walks again. At first, it feels like a miracle — but the shoes once belonged to Major Henry T. Ward, a long-dead veteran with no surviving family and a reputation for silence. As Harry’s strength returns, so do the habits, gestures, and darkness of another man. Shadows move. Mirrors lie. The past isn’t dead — it’s wearing his feet. The more Harry wears the shoes, the less he belongs to himself. By the time he understands the truth, he may no longer be the one walking. Never wear a dead man’s shoes.
All Accolades & Coverage

Script Coverage: Dead Man’s Shoes
Written by David S Denny

Genre: Psychological Horror
Format: Short Film
Estimated Runtime: ~30 minutes
Estimated Script Length: ~30 pages (standard formatting: 1 minute ≈ 1 page)

🎬 LOGLINE

A disabled ex-soldier buys a pair of old shoes from a charity shop, only to discover they belonged to a dead major whose ghost begins to possess him — one step at a time.

📖 SYNOPSIS

Harry Sharples, a disabled ex-soldier in his sixties, lives alone in a decaying Victorian terrace. Haunted by past trauma and physical limitations, his world shifts when he purchases a pair of black leather shoes from a charity shop. The shoes restore strength to his ruined leg — but also begin to strip away his identity.

The shoes once belonged to Major Henry T. Ward, a long-dead veteran with no surviving relatives. As Harry regains mobility, he starts losing himself. Memories not his own surface. Shadows move. The Major's presence begins to possess more than just Harry’s steps.

The haunting escalates in subtle, eerie ways. The transformation is slow and psychological — until the final night, when Harry comes face to face with the ghostly figure in his home and sees his reflection merged with the Major’s. By morning, the shoes are back in the shop window, waiting for their next victim.

🔍 CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Harry Sharples – 65, disabled ex-soldier. Stoic, solitary, traumatised by war and age. His arc is tragic: a man seeking healing, only to be consumed.

Major Henry T. Ward (Ghost) – Never fully seen or heard clearly. A silent, commanding presence. Vague, smoke-like. A symbol of forgotten wars and unresolved death.

Lorraine – 50s, kindly charity shop worker. Appears in one key scene. Casual and grounded, offering a normal counterpoint to the horror.

Pub Friend(s) – Appear briefly to highlight Harry’s transformation.

💡 STRENGTHS

Atmosphere-Driven Horror: Leans on dread, suggestion, and psychological tension rather than gore or jump scares.

Clear Central Metaphor: The shoes as both a gift and a curse; a vessel for trauma, legacy, and possession.

Strong Visual Potential: Reflections, shadows, physical transformation, and setting all support visual storytelling.

Minimal Cast / Contained Setting: Ideal for indie or festival short film production.

🧮 ESTIMATED PAGE COUNT

Using standard screenplay formatting (12pt Courier, ~55 lines per page):

Scenes Written: 10 core scenes

Runtime Estimate: 30 minutes

Pages Estimate: ~30 pages
(Typical short scripts run 1 page per minute. You have 9 full scenes + montage + title/end cards.)

📝 Your Final Draft (.fdx) file contains enough dialogue and action for a full-length short.

🛠️ SUGGESTIONS FOR POLISH

Deepen the Mirror Motif: Use mirrors more consistently to show duality/takeover.

Seed Ward’s Presence Earlier: More subtle signs (old dog tags? Names in shoes?) to add unease before the ghost appears.

End with Visual Callback: Maybe the shoes are in the same position as in the opening — circular structure enhances dread.

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Submitted: 2025-Sep-05
Last Updated: 2025-Sep-05
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The Writer: David S Denny

David Denny was born in Uttoxeter England in 1959. He grew up in a working class family of 5 on one of the UKs new red brick housing estates in the housing developments of the late 50's, where a mish-mash of people and cultures from all around the UK relocated, and made for an interesting cultural mix in a small market town. He left school at 16 and worked in the Motor Industry for 15 years before studying English Literature & Philosophy as a mature student. He then spent 25 years as an employment adviser, which took him around the UK in all types of illuminating work from Prisons to Universities, meeting many interesting and inspiring people. David has three self-published collections… Go to bio
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