Read the "Chinatown" Screenplay

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Have you read the "Chinatown" screenplay by Robert Towne? See it right here, right now! This isn't a product of fan labor, and it's not a transcript. Get ready, because you're about to immerse yourself in something fantastic. No sign up required.

One of the WGA's "Greatest Screenplays" ever written (ranked third), "Chinatown" is the quintessential film-noir mystery, and winner of the 1975 Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. And, for your consideration, we offer this undated, and genuine scanned draft of the original script. Free, of course, from 8FLiX and Paramount Pictures.

Also, you can learn a little more about the writer, Robert Towne. Just click or tap his name to get started.

Okay, now let's get to the goods!

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Discover More About the "Chinatown" Screenplay

Just the facts, and everything else you should know.

Okay, so in addition to the film's logline and poster are some of the most important details about the script. You'll notice that we've attached a "classification" label inside of a color-coded border. For a better understanding of the screenplay's source, have a look at the "Glossary" a little further down.

Also, when you click on the screenwriter's name, you'll be directed to the "Writer Archives." If we have other works from the author, they'll be in there.

Now, let's go through what we have for you today.

Take a look at the "Chinatown" brief synopsis.

Private eye Jake Gittes, living off the murky moral climate of sunbaked pre-war Southern California, is hired by a beautiful socialite to investigate her husband's extra-marital affair. Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together for one, unforgettable night in...Chinatown. Paramount Pictures

"Chinatown" Screenplay Details.

Whether you're a fan or an aspiring screenwriter, here are some important particulars you'll want to know.

To get the "Chinatown" script now, keep scrolling until you see the Download PDF button. And, just a reminder, for a better understanding of our color-coded classifications, scroll a little further down until you find the "Glossary."

Okay, here are the facts:

Chinatown small movie poster.
Type ...
SCANNED
Version ... Final
Date ... [undated]
Pages ... 145
Genres ... DramaMysteryThriller
Screenplay ... Robert Towne
IMDb ID ... 0071315

How to read and download the screenplay.

Click or tap the DOWNLOAD PDF button to read or save the screenplay.

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Glossary

Wondering about the screenplay's origin? Here's what we know.

DUPLICATE
...

It's the same, but different.

All right, so our understanding is that a professional screenwriter retyped the original script. Think of it as a modern-day "photocopy." So, that means you'll see all of the original author's spelling, grammatical, and/or formatting anomalies.

FYC
...

For Your Consideration.

When you see a script labelled as "FYC", it's as good as gold! FYC screenplays are made public each year during what is commonly referred to as "awards season." Rest assured, we got this right from the author or studio.

ORIGINAL
...

Official, authentic, real.

Like FYC screenplays, this is an official copy provided by the studio or original author.

REPLICA
...

Unofficial reproduction.

This is a tricky one to explain. On one hand, this screenplay is an unofficial copy. On the other, it's formatted and transcribed by a professional writer and not a fan. Basically, that's why we've chosen to list it. So, although the typesetting and dialogue may be accurate, the scenarios and action blocks are likely not the works of the original credited screenwriter.

SCANNED
...

Digitized version of the screenplay-actual.

Using a scanner, the paper version of the ORIGINAL script was digitized. Yep, it's that simple.

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