Anne Bonny

Anne Bonny is a 115 page feature film screenplay based on the life of the notorious Irish born pirate and her romance with John ‘Calico Jack’ Rackham. Set in historic Charleston, SC, the south coast of Florida and along the beautiful islands of the Bahamas. The story follows Anne from her childhood as she grows into a young woman, marries a sailor, and heads for adventure on the high seas.

Treatment

This is a very personal journey, one of overcoming fear, abuse and neglect. Anne grew up on a plantation in Charleston, SC. Her mother died when she was very young and her father spent very little time with her, focusing more on his business. From an early age, Anne learned to believe that she was alone and that although she had a courageous heart, it was worth very little to those important to her. With such views in mind Anne married the first man who showed any interest in her, a sweet talking sailor named James Bonny, a likely young scrap, but worthless and lazy beyond compare. James quit his berth aboard his ship and Anne learned that his real intent in marrying her was only to get her fathers fortune. After it was made clear to James that he would see none of Anne’s inheritance, James turned cruel and abusive, finally taking her with him to Providence, a new English settlement in the Bahamas.

Upon arrival at Providence James took a job as an agent for the Governor and sent Anne away to live with the Turnleys, a respectable family in the colony. He showed little interested in spending any time with her. Anne wandered about in this strange, exotic world and soon met an old retired pirate named Hiram, who was a fisherman. Hiram introduced Anne to many new faces including John Rackham, a newly arrived pirate who claimed the King’s pardon. Anne became fascinated by these colorful, violent men who lived on the cusp of society and was soon drawn into their circle when she unexpectedly saved Rackham from hanging by speaking up for him at the Governors Dinner.

Rackham was fascinated by Anne and he started teaching her the finer points of sailing, fishing and swordplay. Anne warmed to Rackham and his friends and their simple way of life and when a plot was discovered to discredit the pirates and kill them, Rackham, Hiram and his crew decided to return to sea. Anne was then offered a choice, to join the pirates and become a free adventurer, or return to the colony and the life she had always known. This story is about her life and her choice.