Top 10 Movie Quotes

We're going to need a bigger list ..

So, in amongst the many lists I’ve written recently, Sharron Bassano suggested that I make one for my favourite lines from movies. It’s taken me a few months, but I think I’ve finally gotten there.

You see, I’ve no interest in just regurgitating all the quotes that everyone is familiar with. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are a few famous ones here, but that’s because they’re from movies that I love. There’s nothing from Gone with the Wind or Citizen Kane, for example, cause I don’t like those films. Also, these are lines that I often use in every day conversation. So, as you’ll see, I really can be quite annoying.

Anyway, let’s crack on and you guys can let me know in the comments some of your favourites and I can maybe do another list to include all of them as well.

“He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!” - Life of Brian

In my opinion, Life of Brian is the funniest movie ever made. I’m not sure if it was my Catholic upbringing that helped make all the jokes land, but this is just inspired film making. So many of the scenes brilliantly revel in the absolute absurdity of their source material. And, of course, because of that, the church wanted it banned. However, from the wise men going to the wrong stable, to “what have the Romans ever done for us,” or “that piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah,” and finally the crucifixion sing along, every moment is just genius. This was Monty Python at the top of their game. But, the one that has it’s place in movie immortality is when Brian’s mum (Terry Jones) finds out he’s been having sex with his friend Judith and his mob of fervent followers demand to see their leader. It’s not just the line but everything that comes after. Comedy gold.

“You brought two too many.” - Once Upon a Time in the West

The Dollars Trilogy, particularly The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, are some of the best westerns ever made. However, Sergio Leone outdid himself with Once Upon a Time in the West which takes the ultimate top spot. This is an elegiac tale about the loss of the old American West to the forces of industry and capitalism, set against a haunting quest for revenge between two men - Charles Bronson’s Harmonica and Henry Fonda’s Frank. Claudia Cardinale (Jill) and Jason Robards (Cheyenne) complete an outstanding cast. The opening scene is incredibly patient film making as three gunmen wait for a train to arrive, before the climactic confrontation, and shoot out, form the perfect denouement.

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” - Jaws

Just one of the most iconic movie lines of all time which is still, randomly, misquoted more often than not. When Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) properly sees the shark for the first time, the most important word he utters is, “You’re,” not “We’re.” He still sees this as a Quint (Robert Shaw) problem. He just wants to go home. This line marks the start of forty minutes of incredible cinema as we’re stuck on the boat with these men struggling to comprehend what they’re up against.

“Put it in the basket, Chief.” - One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest

This masterpiece by Milos Foreman is a complicated movie. The “hero” of the piece, R.P. McMurphy, played with manic glee by Jack Nicholson, is a convicted rapist who is faking mental illness to get sent to a psychiatric hospital instead of going to jail where he belongs. However, here he is put under the care of Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) who runs the ward and the tension between the two of them forms the basis for the drama and tragedy that are to follow. However, there are moments of great warmth here. McMurphy fake watching the World Series, the fishing trip and, of course, the basketball game where McMurphy teaches the giant Chief Bromden (Will Sampson) the joys of scoring a basket.

“First goddamn week of winter.” - The Thing

Of course John Carpenter’s, The Thing would have to be in here. It’s the greatest movie ever made with so many memorable scenes that I have spoken about numerous times. There are also endless lines I could have used like, “I know I’m human,” or “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” but this is the one I quote the most. It’s the book end to the crazy first scene, but also a foreshadowing of what’s to come, whilst being a perfect insight into the sardonic character of MacReady, and why he’s going to be our main protagonist.

“Baby fish mouth!” - When Harry Met Sally

One of the great joys of When Harry met Sally is not only that it’s a classic romantic comedy about the relationships between men and women with wit and charm to spare, but also that it has the confidence to rely on it’s supporting cast to deliver some of the movie’s funniest lines. And what a supporting cast. For the two friends of our main characters, Rob Reiner made the inspired choice to cast Bruno Kirby (Jess) and Carrie Fisher (Marie). Both are superb, with incredible chemistry and comic timing. After Jess and Marie are married and move into their new home, Harry and Sally are invited round for a game of Pictionary where Kirby shouts out the most hilarious improvised nonsense imaginable.

“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” - The Godfather

Of course this one had to be on here too. One of the greatest movies of all time, with an incredible performance by Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, here telling Johnny Fontaine (Al Martino) how he’ll get him a part in a new movie. And, in case there’s any ambiguity, in the next scene, we have Michael (Al Pacino) explain to his girlfriend, Kay (Diane Keaton) exactly what that means. Chilling and iconic.

“I was born out of time.” - Assault on Precinct 13

Assault on Precinct 13 is John Carpenter’s second best movie, and a lot of that is down to Darwin Joston’s portrayal of death row inmate, Napoleon Wilson. The man should have become a star after this performance. His interactions with Lieutenant Bishop (Austin Stoker) and Leigh (Laurie Zimmer), as they try to survive the attack on the police station by the avenging gang members, are filled with brilliantly hard boiled dialogue and crackling chemistry. Can’t find a decent clip of the scene, so just go and watch the whole movie again. It’s great.

“Game over man!” - Aliens

Without getting into the whole Alien/Aliens discussion again, I think its fair to say that the sequel is far more quotable than the original, and a lot of that it to do with Bill Paxton. His Private Hudson starts of as a brash loudmouth, but, as is the way with these kind of guys, quickly descends into a snivelling coward. His panicked reactions to the marines worsening situation are hilarious and this one is rightly regarded as a classic.

“Why does the sun come up? Or are the stars just pin holes in the curtain of night, who knows?” - Highlander

“I wish I’d met you 10 years, and twenty pounds ago.” - The Untouchables

“I remembered my Charlemagne.” - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

There can’t be a list of movie lines without mentioning Sean Connery. In fact, I could have made this entire article from just his movies. However, these are the ones I quote most often. All in a terrible Connery accent. Much to my family’s continual embarrassment and annoyance! The simple truth is though, that they’re all from great films and performances. That’s what makes them so memorable. I could have included the prom queen line from The Rock or the speech to his crew in The Hunt for Red October, but let’s just stop here. A legend who’s films I never tire of watching. And quoting. Badly.

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So, there we are. I know I said 10, but couldn’t leave out the last 3 so I stretched it to a wee bit to finish on 12. Obviously, there are so many more, but like I said at the start, these are my personal favourites. There were a few Clint Eastwood ones that nearly made it, particularly “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it,” from Unforgiven, which is a classic I often quote, and then there was, “It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage,” from Raiders of the Lost Ark and finally, of course, “You shall not pass,” in The Fellowship of the Ring, but I’m happy where we ended up.

Look forward to hearing from you guys on you’re own favourites, but I hope you enjoyed my list.

Thanks for reading. Until next time.