# The greatest lines in film history? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 9, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098 "2003-03-09T16:38:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/21 "2003-03-09T19:40:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rexnervous \* > “I have seen starships on fire off the shores of Orion”. The line is actually: “I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion…” This makes a little more sense than “shores”, Orion being a constellation. My personal fave: “No, Mister Bond, I expect you to _die!_” Closely rivalled by: “That’s a Smith & Wesson, Doctor, and you’ve had your six.” Freyr: the line is actully “I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.” The consistant misquoting has always mystified me. ---
**Author:** ![Ave\_Minerva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@Ave\_Minerva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ave_Minerva)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/22 "2003-03-09T19:43:56Z")
“Funny how?” Goodfellas ---
**Author:** ![Manatee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@Manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manatee)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/23 "2003-03-09T19:47:05Z")
“I now pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution.” ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/24 "2003-03-09T19:48:44Z")
My favourite comes from _One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest._ Randall McMurphy (the Jack Nicholson character) has just lost his bet that he could lift the central water faucet contrapation in the shower room. He’s strained every sinew in his body trying to lift it, and he’s plainly, totally failed. It’s the first time the rest of the inmates have ever seen him fail. They’re lost in silence, and the mood is one of shock, disappointment and - in some quarters - gloating at his failure. In order to leave by the door, McMurphy has to walk past them all - staring at him as if he’s let himself down, and let them all down. He trudges to the door. As he reaches it, and before he leaves, he turns to look at them all. He fires off his parting shot: “Well I _tried_, didn’t I, goddamit? At least I did _ **that.** _” * * * My other favourite comes from _Bringing Up Baby_ and won’t mean a thing unless you’ve seen the movie. And if you haven’t, shame on you. Katharine Hepburn: “I was born on the side of a hill. I was born on the side of a hill.” She’s never looked sillier, funnier or more beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/25 "2003-03-09T19:54:23Z")
"There is a way for you out of hell. Find a child whose parents were killed in the war, and raise him as your own. Only - be sure that he is a Muslim, and that you raise him as one." Gandhi Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/26 "2003-03-09T20:05:30Z")
I’ll be thinking about that when I’m pissing on your grave… In the line of fire. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/27 "2003-03-09T20:15:47Z")
Can’t think of any reallly great ones right now. But seeing that some of the above are not exactly greatest as well as very well known: - “Luke… I’m your father.” - “My name is Bond, James Bond.” - “… is people!” - “Hasta la vista, baby.” Terminator, of course. - “Yippie-ka-yee, motherfucker.” Die Hard. I’ll refrain from identifying the first three. OTHO, where is **Manatee** ’s one from? Nice this, a little crash course in film culture. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/28 "2003-03-09T20:28:11Z")
My faves are: “Bond. James Bond.” _Dr. No_ “I am not left-handed.” _The Princess Bride_ “Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” _The Princess Bride_ “Where all the white women at?” _Blazing Saddles_ “If you believe you’re playing well because you’re getting laid or because you’re not getting laid or because you wear women’s underwear, then you are! And you should know that!” _Bull Durham_ “You ever dance with the devil by the pale moonlight? I always ask that of all my prey. I just like the sound of it.” _Batman_ ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/29 "2003-03-09T20:34:47Z")
Oooh, Dread Pirate Jimbo (sorry to pre-empt your Bond) made me think of a good albeit almost clichematic one: - “Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges” The Treasure of the Sierra Madre ---
**Author:** ![jesseboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90ced4/32.png) [@jesseboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jesseboy)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/30 "2003-03-09T20:35:20Z")
“Rosebud”-Citizen Kane “I coulda been a contender”-On the Waterfront “Coffe’s for closers”-Glengarry Glenross “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate”-Cool Hand Luke “Nothing is written!”-Lawrence of Arabia “I’m ready for my closeup, Mr. demille”-Sunset Boulevard “The stuff that dreams are made of”-Maltese Falcon “They call me Mr. Tibbs!”-In the heat of the night “I vant to be alone”-Grand Hotel ---
**Author:** ![Berserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Berserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berserker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/31 "2003-03-09T20:36:07Z")
“Your brother’s soul is mine!” - Mortal Kombat Thats my all time favorite, for the pure absurdity of it. And it has kept my friend and I laughing for years. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/32 "2003-03-09T20:44:08Z")
“All right you primitive screwheads, listen up! This[waving rifle in the air] is…my…BOOMSTICK!” Army of Darkness, said by Ash. “Inconceivable!” said by Vizzini in Princess Bride. “Mrs. Peacock was a man?” said by Col. Mustard(I think) in Clue. “Death is coming to your little town.” said by Loomis in Haloween. “Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, please…” Hal 9000 in 2001(which by the way is my vote for the greatest scene in the history of cinema). ---
**Author:** ![Timothy\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Timothy\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timothy_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/33 "2003-03-09T21:03:09Z")
Ni! ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/34 "2003-03-09T21:03:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mahaloth [/i > > “Inconceivable!” said by Vizzini in Princess Bride. I do not think that word means what you think that it means. ---
**Author:** ![Timothy\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Timothy\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timothy_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/35 "2003-03-09T21:04:48Z")
Sorry for that three-character post, but I couldn’t resist. One of my favourite lines is from _Reservoir Dogs_: “I’m a professional!” And while we’re on the subject of Tarantino… “You know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in France?” ---
**Author:** ![Timothy\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Timothy\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timothy_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/36 "2003-03-09T21:07:43Z")
Come to think of it, if somebody was seriously compiling a list of “All-Time Best Movie Lines”, they could save a lot of work by starting with the IMDB’s Top 250 list: [http://us.imdb.com/top\_250\_films](http://us.imdb.com/top_250_films) Each movie has a “Memorable Quotes” section. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/37 "2003-03-09T21:24:00Z")
“You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and… blow” Lauren Bacall in _To Have and Have Not_ “You know I always did like a man in uniform. And that one fits you grand. Why don’t you come up some time and see me?” Mae West in _She Done Him Wrong_ ---
**Author:** ![Tuco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tuco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuco)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/38 "2003-03-09T21:24:54Z")
From Bad Boys: Store Owner: Hey, freeze bitch! (Sounds of guns being drawn and cocked) Mike: You freeze, bitch. Store Owner: Oh s **t…I’m f** \*ed. Mike: Now back up. Put the gun down, and get me a pack of Tropical Fruit Bubblicious. Marcus: **And some Skittles.** The delivery of ‘and some skittles’ cracks me up every time. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/39 "2003-03-09T21:27:05Z")
“Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!” Bette Davis in _All About Eve_ ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098/40 "2003-03-09T21:35:55Z")
Terrance Stamp in Superman 2: “Come, son of Jor-El. Kneel before Zod!” “Why do you say this to me when you know I will kill you for it?” Actually,all of his lines in that movie were great. And of course the Magnificent Seven, which is chock full o good lines. “Nobody throws me my own guns and says run. Nobody.” “Ah, that was the greatest shot I’ve ever seen.” “The worst! I was aiming at the horse!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-lines-in-film-history/160098.md?page=3)