Only A Real Movie Buff Can Complete These Iconic Quotes
- by Lucas Wesley
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Certain sentences, when spoken by the right person, can quickly become so iconic the original meaning doesn’t matter anymore. Whether or not a viewer has actually witness Robert De Niro asking a mirror, “You talkin’ to me?,” they may well have asked the same question when no one was watching. Thanks to other pop culture, like sitcoms and improv comedy, constantly butchering the best lines cinema has to offer, a lot of people might have even gotten the line wrong when doing it.
Call it the Mandela Effect, popular interpretation, or just plain forgetfulness, for whatever reason, the most heralded quotations in movie history also tend to be spoken in a manner that makes it hard to remember the details. Sure, you remember who said it, what they meant, and any words they may have said in a peculiar way. However, there’s ultimately little difference between expressions like “do you feel lucky” and “do I feel lucky,” leading to mass confusion when referring to a certain dirty cop who only said one of them.
What it all comes down to is that unless you watch a movie yourself and write down your favorite line the second you hear it, chances are you’ll make a mistake next time you try and quote it. Of course, another option would be studying and preparing your cinematic trivia to ensure that doesn’t happen. For a head start, take the quiz on movie quotes only a real movie buff could pass.
Star Wars: “May the _____ be with you.”
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was an epic battle between good and evil, and moviegoers are still talking about the results to this day. Granted, that’s partially because it’s not even over, with at least one more film coming in the near future for a grand total of nine intergalactic adventures called Star Wars. Though a great deal of time passes from Episode I to Episode IX, several constants permeate through the universe, aiding both the heroes and the Sith Lords they battle. What metaphysical power do Luke Skywalker and other Jedi posses?
300: “Madness? This is _____!”
Ruling with an iron fist backed through brute strength, King Leonidas would never kowtow to any invading force, no matter how large. This becomes clear very early in 300, when he singlehandedly starts a war between his nation and Persia by killing a mere messenger of King Xerxes. Granted, Leonidas wasn’t very happy with the message, which was that he must submit his authority to Xerxes or face imminent invasion, but still, it could be said his reaction was over the top. In the soon to be executed messenger’s eyes, it was pure madness. What does Leonidas call it?
The Dark Knight: “Why so _____?”
Deliriously evil and seeking nothing less than the total destruction of Gotham City, the Joker will forever go down as one of the greatest villains in movie history. That’s true whether we’re talking about the version played by Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger, but it was the latter that gave the decades old comic book character his most unforgettable line. It doesn’t matter that Joker may have been lying as he told the tale of his alcoholic father triggering his madness by giving him terrifying scars. Any story would be chilling with this line as the capper.
Titanic: “I’m the _____ of the world.”
In the history of cinema, no one film has better represented the phrase “Go big or go home” better than James Cameron’s epic Titanic. In theory a three hour plus dramatic retelling of “the unsinkable ship” and how it wound up at the bottom of the sea, Titanic is at it’s core just a simple love story about a poor man named Jack and an aristocrat named Rose. Before they even meet, though, Jack would give the film’s most iconic line while palling around with his buddy Fabrizio on the ship’s mast. What did he shout from the ship’s mast?
Forrest Gump: “My mama always said life was like a box of _____.”
Despite his simple nature, or perhaps because of it, Forrest Gump lived quite the influential life. Without even knowing it, the man had a great impact on Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and half a dozen other historical figures. Not that the fame have necessarily affected him if he realized what was going on, though. To Forrest, life is a really simple concept, which has mama always explained through a folksy and unforgettable metaphor he expresses in the opening scene. Do you know it?
The Princess Bride: “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my _____. Prepare to die.”
Every great character in film has their own motivation, and usually, it’s what makes them so darn popular. In the case of Inigo Montoya, the swashbuckling swordsman wastes no time telling his story to just about everyone he meets. His mission, as often stated, is to find the six-fingered man who murdered someone dear to him, introduce himself, and enact his much awaited vengeance. When Inigo finally meets the ruthless Count Rugen, he nearly meets his end as well, only to be emboldened to victory by angrily repeating his catchphrase. Who did Rugen kill to inspire it?
Raiders of the Lost Ark: “_____…why did it have to be _____?”
Even the world’s greatest adventurer’s have their foibles and phobias. For Indiana Jones, there’s only one, but it can cause the otherwise fearless professor to freeze in his footsteps. Unfortunately for Indy, his search for the Lost Ark of the Covenant brings him to the Well of Souls, which happens to be covered in the very animal he can’t stand. Staring into the darkness and seeing only his natural enemy, Jones remarked to Sallah with this infinitely adaptable phrase about the worst case scenario coming to life.
V For Vendetta: “Remember, remember, the fifth of _____.”
Uniquely blending comic books with English history, this key line in V For Vendetta didn’t quite originate in the movie that made it famous to the current generation. Centuries before V existed in graphic novel form, an actual anarchist named Guy Fawkes unsuccessfully attempted to blow up the House of Lords. Wearing an iconic mask associated with the event, V hijacks the public broadcast system and asks Britain to join him as he attempts round true, demanding they rise up against the dystopian government. In what month does his plot begin?
The Wizard of Oz: “I’ve a feeling we’re not in _____ anymore.”
Following the yellow brick road to the history books, The Wizard of Oz is one of the most infinitely quotable films ever made. Because children everywhere will always enjoy the fantastic themes and bright colors, the songs, sights, and strange turns of phrase Dorothy, her friends, and enemies all use only continue to grow in popularity to this day. Amazingly, there’s even a line in the film that distills everything brilliant about it in eight simple words, as Dorothy looks around her and slowly takes in the great and wonderful world that is Oz.
Gone with the Wind: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a _____.”
Decades before the day of CGI, Gone with the Wind was the most extravagant creation Hollywood could offer. Nearly four hours long and filled with high drama, sprawling war, and above all else, Scarlett O’Hara, the film sometimes feels like a chore to sit through today, but almost everyone knows how it ends. After the most tumultuous relationship imaginable, Scarlett’s lover Rhett Butler has finally had enough, and decides to leave her once and for all. Realizing she’s lost without him, Scarlett desperately asks what she’ll do on her own. What does he tell her?
Dirty Dancing: “Nobody puts _____ in a corner.”
Audiences in the 1980s learned a whole lot from Dirty Dancing, mostly related to dramatic dance moves and doing the mambo. They also learned to overlook the coupling of a man and his 30s and an alleged 17-year-old girl if the two were having the time of their lives. However, the parents of the girl in question, Frances, understandably was less pleased about their daughter hanging out with Johnny Castle than the average moviegoer, trying to split up the relationship. Love conquers all parental interference, though, as Castle explains when calling forth his beloved for a show stopping final dance.
The Sixth Sense: “I see _____ people.”
Prior to becoming a self-parody, M. Night Shyamalan was the most original director in Hollywood, known for brilliant twists like the one at the end of The Sixth Sense. Of course, giving away that big twist would also give away the answer to this question, so we’ll have to be vague here. Basically, a psychologist spends many months helping out a kid with a unique affliction only to discover his own existence is entirely based on the child’s mind. In retrospect, that should have been clear from the beginning, when the patient told his doctor this chilling line.
Braveheart: “They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our _____.”
Even in today’s wintery political climate, it can feel extremely difficult to rally against an oppressive, totalitarian government. Imagine how hard it must have been for a Scottish warrior like William Wallace, back before social media could allow armies to organize overnight. In the 13th century, it took months of travelling on horseback and finding like minded men to take down a tyrant like King Edward I. That said, Wallace had an incredible charisma, plus a killer line that made hundreds willing to die by his side. What was it?
Blade Runner: “All those moments will be lost in time, like _____ in rain. Time to die.”
Such is the power of science fiction that it’s most memorable moments don’t even need to make sense to resonate with audiences everywhere. That’s definitely the case with about half of Roy Batty’s legendary death soliloquy, as he waxes philosophical about attack ships on fire and "C-beams glittering in the dark near Tannhäuser Gate." However, the sci-fi talk is also kind of the point, as Batty is expressing that with his death, it will be like these things never happened, because no one else will remember them. Powerful stuff for an android. What metaphor clinches it’s meaning?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: “It’s just a _____ wound.”
According to John Cleese, it all began when an acting teacher gave him the “philosophically unsound” lesson that “if you never give up, you can’t possibly lose.” To prove the opposite is also true, Cleese portrayed the Black Knight as he tried to stop King Arthur from crossing his “bridge.” Seconds after their swordfight begins, Arthur chops up the Knight’s arm, only for him to claim he’s “had worse.” Then, Arthur chops off his other arm, at which point any rational person would accept defeat. Not the Black Knight, though. How does he dismiss the literal disarmament?
Scarface: “Say hello to my little _____.”
They don’t come any more ruthless than Tony Montana, a man we can assure you didn’t get that scar on his face by eating pineapple. He didn’t build the largest drug empire in Miami without leaving a few bodies in his path, either. That said, Montana’s operation all falls apart when he surprisingly shows a little heart and kills a superior for endangering children. Montana doesn’t have any problem killing dozens of his boss’s soldiers when they come for retribution, though, shouting out this famous line before going down in a hail of bullets.
Spider-Man: “With great _____ comes great responsibility.”
No matter how many reboots and remakes the web slinging superhero receives, the general backstory of Spider-Man always remains the same. Peter Parker gets bit by a spider, develops super powers, then decides to fight crime after the tragic death of his uncle. Making the events especially poignant, shortly before Uncle Ben is killed, he imparts Peter some extremely important advice, which he claimed was his brother’s philosophy in life. Not only does it relate to Peter’s newfound abilities, but perhaps every superhero in history. What does Uncle Ben say?
The Graduate: “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to _____ me. Aren’t you?”
Thanks to a famous song by Simon & Garfunkel, the story of Mrs. Robinson from The Graduate is both a matter of film and music history. Giving away her true nature would answer this question, but to put it in vague terms, the middle aged woman plays a pivotal role in the life of recent college grad Ben Braddock. Shortly after they cross paths, Ben begins to date Mrs. Robinson’s daughter Elaine, which causes serious issues when Elaine learns about their past. What did Mrs. Robinson do to Ben that she found so alarming?
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: “Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the _____ of them all?”
Talk about vain. Far more than once upon a time, it would appear that Snow White’s Evil Queen wakes up every single morning to ask her talking Magic Mirror the same question. For many years, the mirror emotionlessly intoned exactly what the Queen wanted to hear, which was that she herself outclassed all other women in her land. Until one day, the Mirror changed its mind, and replied that Snow White had finally usurped her. Naturally, the insane Queen then sends her better to die in the woods as punishment, only for seven dwarfs help to discover her.
The Goonies: “Goonies never say _____.”
Fearing they may never get to hang out again, a group of kids calling themselves The Goonies get together for one last hurrah that spirals out of control when they stumble upon a treasure map. Of course, the kids wouldn’t have it any other way, as the allure of One-Eyed Willy’s bounty is the sort of caper they live for. The downside is that seeking out this treasure is mighty dangerous, and not all of them are up for the challenge. However, even when things are tough, the Goonies have a commonly repeated catchphrase that makes them try their best.
Casablanca: “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful _____.”
A relatively simple love story set in the backdrop of international conflict, Casablanca is a film much more than just the sum of its parts. Unforgettable performances by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman elevated the already expert screenplay to an extent than almost every line they speak to one another has entered the national consciousness. That includes Bogart’s perfect send off, “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid,” but the story doesn’t end there. He still has plenty of work to do with Captain Renault, and one more brilliant one liner to close the film.
The Big Lebowski: “Yeah, well, you know, that’s just like, your _____, man.”
No matter what the situation, The Dude always seems to abide. Even when that other Jeffrey Lebowski sends him on a crazy mission that spirals out of control to include nihilists, adult film producers, and all other sorts of disreputable people, The Dude simply takes another hit and heads to his next bowling match. Surprisingly, things only get worse at the alley, when he encounters an extremely foul-mouthed convicted “pederast” who licks his bowling ball before telling The Dude he has no chance in their upcoming league game. What’s the Dude’s nonchalant response?
Dirty Harry: “You’ve gotta ask yourself one question—do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, _____?”
At this point, virtually every cop on television or film needs to bend the rules and question all authority in order to get any attention. Back in the early 1970s, though, “Dirty” Harry Callahan was an entirely new sort of lawman, and nothing elaborated his style like his lunch gone wrong. While sitting down for a meal, suddenly a bank robbery occurs next door, and Harry quickly shoots two dead, but a third is about to get away. Pointing a gun at his face, Harry asks the man how he feels about his chances, followed by a pointed insult.
The Usual Suspect: “The greatest trick _____ ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”
Nothing is as it seems in The Usual Suspects, especially when coming from the mouth of Verbal Kint. The one remaining member of a convoluted crime conspiracy, Kint is captured by the police with his back against the wall, and decides to spill the beans on the whole operation. Or so we think. After a two hour story, the cop listening to Kint’s confession suddenly realizes every single word of it was a lie. Of course, Kint gave a pretty blatant clue about this very early into his tale, mentioning a certain evil creature’s ability to hide in plain site.
The Godfather: “Leave the gun. Take the _____.”
Violent, bloody, and cold-blooded, the characters of The Godfather are almost entirely humorless individuals. Making offers people can’t refuse only takes up so much of their time, though, and every gangster still needs to go home at the end of the day and deal with their families. Touching upon this reality, Don Corleone’s caporegime Peter Clemenza multitasks by committing a hit in the middle of completing a chore for his wife. What food item does he tell his associate to pick up for her while leaving their guns behind?
History of the World, Part I: “It’s good to be _____.”
There’s no filmmaker out there quite like Mel Brooks, and while not his most popular film, History of the World, Part 1 may be the greatest example of his style. More a series of vignettes than a single film, History of the World takes audiences from the dawn of mankind through the Roman Empire all the way to the French Revolution, with a quick musical stop at the Spanish Inquisition along the way. Of all the segments, the final Parisian venture is perhaps the best remembered, in part due to the main character’s (and his doppelganger “piss boy’s”) catchphrase.
Apocalypse Now: “I love the smell of _____ in the morning.”
One of film’s most powerful statements on war, Apocalypse Now is ultimately about how violent conflict blurs the lines between good and evil, leaving just about everyone on the dark side. However, viewed from the wrong lens, and it almost feels like a celebration of death and destruction, or in the very least, that’s how certain characters in the film view the subjects. None are more open about this than Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, who nonchalantly makes this shocking claim to rally his troops as bombs are going off mere feet away.
Jerry Maguire: “You had me at _____.”
One quality Tom Cruise brings to every role he plays is charisma, and Jerry Maguire is no different. With his winning smile and gift of gab, Maguire became one of the best sports agents in the world, only to be left with nothing when his bosses decided he was losing his touch. When Jerry dramatically left the company, he asked if anyone wanted to come with him, and surprisingly, Dorothy took him up on the offer. Later, when Jerry revealed this made him start falling in love with her, she replied by explaining her motivation was similar from the start.
Back to the Future: “_____? Where we’re going, we don’t need _____.”
Once Marty McFly crossed paths with Doc Brown, his life would never be the same. In fact, the lives of just about every single person he ever met would also be affected. This is because the Doc invented the world’s first time machine, which soon sent Marty to 1955. After Marty interacted with his teenage parents and found his way back to the future, Doc decided they needed to take it a step further, and thanks to a modification on his time machine, it looked like another adventure was already about to begin.
The Silence of the Lambs: “I ate his _____ with fava beans and a nice Chianti.”
Even behind bars, every single word to exit the mouth of brilliant serial killer Hannibal Lecter has the power to chill bones. That’s even true when he’s not talking about eating people, though cannibalism does appear to be the mad psychologist’s favorite subject. A true sadist in every sense of the word, Lecter thrives on making other feel pain, fear, and discomfort, and no one suffers his taunting worse than Agent Clarice Starling. Testing the waters during their first meeting, Lecter tells Clarice the above quote in relation to a census taker, and the interactions only get scarier from there.
There Will Be Blood: “I drink your _____! I drink it up!”
From beginning to end, the quest of Daniel Plainview has very little to do with oil in the literal sense. Yes, black gold is how the man makes his fortune, but his true interest is power over every single person he meets. Of course, the money made through oil helps him get this power, and his obsession is strong enough he’ll kill for it, something he does several times. As if that weren’t horrible enough, he also utterly destroys people verbally before doing them in, most famously through this metaphor about gleefully stealing another man’s resources.
_____ on a Plane: “I have had it with these mother****ing _____ on this mother****ing plane.”
When an actor reaches a certain level of fame, their reputation precludes every movie role they take. That was certainly the case with Samuel L. Jackson, so when audiences heard he was making a weird movie about a certain animal getting released on a plane, the above line was considered an inevitability. Surprisingly, it was actually added in post-production, and considering the movie itself was average at best, it may have been ignored without it. Then again, the studio could’ve saved some money by just having Jackson say the one sentence, as it covers everything the movie tried to express.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit: “I’m not bad. I’m just _____ that way.”
Blending animation and live action in a way that still feels wholly unique more than 30 years after the film was released, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a truly unforgettable experience. That’s before we even get into the specifics of how virtually every major Disney and Looney Toons character wound up on screen together for the first time. Amazingly, they weren’t even the most interesting animated characters around, either, as both the titular hare and his wife Jessica both changed the nature of cartoons forever. Which of Jessica’s line perfectly sums up her influence?
Airplane: “I am _____, and don’t call me Shirley.”
There had been plenty of comedy films before Airplane!, and countless more have followed, yet not even the sequel came anywhere near being such a perfect instillation of the concept. Every single second of Airplane! is spent either setting up or paying off a joke. With no time to waste on exposition or plot, even the simplest lines needed to have a gag attached to them in order to merit inclusion in the screenplay. Case in point, the movie’s most iconic, infinitely quoted line, a response to the simple statement, “Surely you can’t be” what?
The Breakfast Club: “When you grow up, your _____ dies.”
Shermer, Illinois may not be a real place, but the emotions expressed by the town’s high school students most certainly were. That’s why The Breakfast Club is still extremely popular with teens some three decades after it was released, and it will likely continue to resonate with people finding their place in the world for a long time to come. Part of the film’s appeal is the shared belief between its characters that life is going too fast, and they no longer have any control over things. Because of this, the “Basket Case” tearfully makes this prediction about their future.
The Elephant Man: “I am not an _____. I am a human being.”
To put it bluntly, life is not easy for one Joseph Merrick. Afflicted with virtually every disability known to man, including a half dozen deformities entirely unique to his body, Merrick lives much of his life as a literal sideshow attraction. Eventually, he was saved by Mr. Carr-Gomm, who while well intentioned, had trouble stopping the public from continuing to treat him like a freak. The former circus owners even managed to capture Merrick, leading to a daring escape, during which he shouts this unforgettable phrase at an angry mob obsessed with his appearance.
They Live: “I have come here to chew _____ and kick ass, and I’m all out of _____.”
In the world of They Live, absolutely nothing is as it seems. Wayward drifter John Nada suddenly learns this firsthand after stumbling upon magic sunglasses that reveal the hidden meaning behind subliminal messaging, along with the fact a solid 10% of people are secretly alien invaders. Almost instantly, Nada gets spotted, and his only way to survive is blasting his way through the monsters with his shotgun. Of course, there was still time for a few snappy one-liners like this one, not to mention one of the longest fistfights in movie history.
The Jerk: “I was born a poor _____ child.”
Contrary to the title of his film, Navin R. Johnson isn’t necessary a jerk, per se—he’s simply one of film’s greatest and most definitive idiots, truly unaware of anything happening around him at any point in his life. In fairness to the guy, part of this may have to do with his upbringing, as not a single relative ever had the heart to tell the guy he was adopted. Then again, anyone else on Earth would have figured it out themselves, what with the fact they were different races. Navin, however, just assumed he had a skin condition.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: “No, I am your _____.”
Perhaps the most misquoted line in movie history, Darth Vader’s infamous rebuff to Luke Skywalker doesn’t start with him saying the Jedi’s name. It comes in the midst of an epic battle between the two, the ultimate showdown between The Force and the Dark Side, which initially looks like it could cost Luke his life (and it does cost him his hand). Throughout it all, Vader’s not going for the kill, though, he’s trying to get Luke to switch sides, and this iconic line goes along why in explaining why.
The Room: “You are tearing me apart, _____!”
Give 100 monkeys 100 typewriters, and one of them will eventually create a movie that makes 100 times more sense than Tommy Wiseau’s epic disasterpiece The Room. Almost nothing about the journey of Johnny the banker makes any sense, and that’s all because of Wiseau himself, who wrote, directed, and produced the movie in addition to playing the lead role. No one sentence better elaborates the auteur’s unique grasp of cinema than the unhinged delivery of his most famous line, shouted at a person accused of lying to him. Who’s tearing him apart?