TMNT Deleted Scene: Training on the Farm

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Here is the second deleted scene from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film that I am highlighting in support of the TMNT Special Edition project. Warner Brothers isn't yet convinced that this is a good idea - But they ARE watching us! - so be sure to let them know personally that you want this Special Edition DVD!

This scene is also pretty well documented, and bits and pieces of it can be seen in the actual movie. I've scanned a few stickers, trading cards, and pics taken from a book and magazine from this part, but the lengthy bit from the script might be more interesting to you.

This scene comes immediately after April yells at Casey, "I wouldn't ask for your help if you were the last... "thing" on the face of the planet!" and Casey follows with, "Coming along 'nicely' ..."

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EXT. A FIELD – DAY

bordered by an old, split-rail fence. Leonardo sits on a top rail and Donatello stands by while Michaelangelo and Raphael spar with each other.

LEONARDO
Okay, hold it, hold it...

Michaelangelo and Raphael lower their weapons, breathing heavily.

RAPHAEL
What?

LEONARDO
Stop trying to overpower each
other. Remember what Splinter
said.

MICHAELANGELO
This is the way we always fight.

RAPHAEL
Yeah, jeez, pretty soon he’s gonna
start askin’ us to snatch pebbles
from his hand.

LEONARDO
All right, look...

He hops down off the fence and stands between them, rotating his mask until his eyes are covered. He then draws his katana and assumes a ready stance.

LEONARDO
Okay, now attack me. All three
of you. At once.

RAPHAEL
(aw, come on)
Leo, what’re you doin’?

DONATELLO
You’ll get hurt.

Leo lashes out with the flat of his katana and whacks Raphael on the arm.

LEONARDO
Come on...

RAPHAEL
Hey! Knock it off, Leo, that
hurt.

LEONARDO
(another whack)
Come on.

RAPHAEL
Leo, I’m warnin’ you...

LEONARDO
(another; harder)
Come on...!

That did it. Raphael draws a sai and jumps at his blindfolded brother.

But Leo’s katana strikes first, disarming Raphael.

He stands a moment, stunned, then draws his other said and motions for this [sic] two brothers to join him. All three come at Leo in a tentative attack.

One-two-three – and Leo’s repulsed all their thrusts.

They set themselves one more time. This is it. The acid test. And when they attack this time, there’s nothing tentative about it.

One-two-three – and Leo is still standing, untouched.

MICHAELANGELO
Rad-ical!

DONATELLO
Ec-lec-tic!

While Michaelangelo gives Donatello a look, Leo turns to Raphael, who still hasn’t said anything. Then finally:

RAPHAEL
Just call me “Grasshopper” ...

And as the Turtles realize the potential of their discovery

SERIES OF SHOTS

UNDER MUSIC:


EXT. OUTSIDE THE BARN – DAY

Raphael, mask turned, is trying to learn the new technique. But he’s not quite getting it. The Turtles easily penetrate his defense, which amounts to nothing more than flailing around like a blind man. Donatello then steps up to try, neatly repelling a few blows with his own mask turned, and excited about his success. Raphael grumbles.

EXT. FARMHOUSE – DAY

Casey and April pull up in the old pickup truck, grocery bags in the rear. Casey gets out and moves around to the passenger side, where April is having trouble with her door. But when Casey manages to open it, she slides over to the driver’s side and exits there, rather than accept his help. She begins unloading groceries while Casey slams the door and rolls his eyes in an expression of, “I can’t believe how pigheaded this girl is.”

EXT. A CLEARING IN THE WOODS – DAY

Now it’s Michaelangelo with mask turned, and he’s doing a pretty good job against his brothers. Raphael then steps in to try again, but when he still has trouble, he begins lifting his mask to peek, drawing “fouls” from his brothers while he pleads his innocence.

INT. KITCHEN – EVENING

Casey chops some vegetables by the kitchen sink with a katana while April enters, her clothing and face smeared with dirt from an obvious stint of heavy labor. She heads straight for a drawer and removes a tube of ointment, trying to rub it into her back and neck. When Casey attempts to help, she jerks away, but he’s had enough of this. He forcefully sits her down in a chair and begins massaging her back and shoulders. Reluctant at first, April quickly acquiesces and is soon enjoying it. A lot. And so is Casey.

THE TURTLES ENTER

after a workout, and the massage stops. But Michaelangelo indicates a sore shoulder of his own, and when April holds up the ointment as if to ask if he’d like a rub, he shakes his head and opens another drawer, removing a bottle and holding it up for her to read. It’s a bottle of “Turtle Wax.” April reacts with a good-natured groan, and the other Turtles pat Mike on the shell – he’s back making jokes again.


INT. BARN – NIGHT

CLOSE ON – A PAIR OF FAST-MOVING SAIS.

They whip about, blocking a number of blows as THE SHOT WIDENS TO REVEAL RAPHAEL, mask turned, training with his brothers inside the barn. And this time, he’s got it.

INT. ATTIC – NIGHT

April leads Casey into the room and sits down next to him on some old boxes. She begins to show him her Turtle sketches. He’s impressed – until he sees the one of himself in a beanie cap, which April tries to yank away. He gets it back, though, and after a moment of indecision, he and April share a laugh.


EXT. FIELD – LATE IN THE DAY

The Turtles continue to train intensely, playing a game of “Ninja hot potato” in which an apple is tossed about, and whoever gets it must defend against the other three while taking a bite and then passing it on. And when the apple finally reaches Leonardo, he blocks a few thrusts, takes the last bite, and then hurls the core as far as he can. The game is over, and with it

THE MUSIC CONCLUDES

as the Turtles gather together, sweating and breathing heavily. They look at each other without saying a word.

And as they begin to nod in silent agreement

[cut to April and Casey on the porch]

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The "Ninja hot potato" bit is visually referenced later in the final version of the film when the Turtles battle the Foot in their sewer Lair after returning to New York City. At the end of the battle we see Raphael finish off eating an apple, toss it behind him, then remark, "Aw, no more?" And, of course, the Lair is then invaded with a fresh wave of Foot.

You can download the pictures and script in a single .zip file here.