Category: Film/Television Excerpt

Godfrey, Baron of Ibelin:

[With his son, Balian, kneeling before him.]

Be without fear in the face of your enemies.

Be brave and upright that God may love thee.

Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death.

Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong.

That is your oath.

[Backhands Balian hard across the mouth. Balian tastes blood.]

And that is so you remember it.

The Hospitaller:

Rise a knight…

— “Kingdom of Heaven” (2005)

Susan Ivanova:

We’re ready to go, Captain. Any last minute instructions?

John Sheridan:

Beside from an old Egyptian blessing, I can’t think of a thing.

Susan Ivanova:

Then we’ll see you…when we see you.

Marcus Cole:

An old Egyptian blessing?

Susan Ivanova:

“May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places where you must walk.”

— “Shadow Dancing” – Babylon 5, Season 3 (1996)

Captain Klaus Woermann:

Who built the Keep?

Alexandru the Caretaker:

Some say Turks. Some say the warlords of ancient Wallachia.

Captain Klaus Woermann:

No, no, no, this is not a fortress. A soldier could walk up the outside wall. Why are the small stones on the outside, and the large stones here in the interior? It’s constructed…backwards.

This place was not designed to keep something…out….

— “The Keep” (1983)

G’Kar:

…This time it is possible he could be wrong.

Michael Garibaldi:

Yeah, it’s possible. But you don’t follow an order because you know for sure it’s gonna work out. You do what you’re told! Because your C.O. has the moral authority that says, “You may not come back, but the cause is just and fair and necessary!”

— “Walkabout” – Babylon 5, Season 3 (1996)

Stick:

Some lessons can’t be taught, Elektra. They must be lived to be understood.

— “Elektra” (2005)

Vir Cotto, in a dream:

Prophecy is a guess that comes true. When it doesn’t, it’s a metaphor.

— “The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari” – Babylon 5, Season 5 (1998)

Galen:

…No, not a dream, a nightmare. And if sometimes dreams come true, then what of our nightmares?

— “Babylon 5: A Call To Arms” (1999)

Sonny Crockett:

[looking at a mutilated corpse of a man of Thai heritage in the morgue.]

This mutilation: it looks too calculated not to mean something….

Martin Castillo:

It does mean something. It says the killer was a Thai assassin; this is his signature. It says its victim defied a very, very important man…. It’s a warning to anyone who sees it not to make the same mistake….

— “Golden Triangle” – Miami Vice, Season 1 (1985)

Conan:

The Riddle…of Steel.

Thulsa Doom:

Yes! You know what it is, don’t you, boy. Shall I tell you? It’s the least I can do.

Steel isn’t strong, boy. Flesh is stronger! Look around you—

[looks around before pointing up at a group of acolytes standing on a ledge high above]

There, on the rocks: that beautiful girl.

[gestures for girl to come to him]

Come to me, my child…

[girl willingly jumps to her death]

That is strength, boy! That is power! What is steel compared to the hand that wields it? Look at the strength in your body, the desire in your heart. I gave you this!

Such a waste. Contemplate this upon the Tree of Woe.

[looks to Rexor and Thorgrim]

Crucify him.

— “Conan the Barbarian” (1982)

Dr. Zaius:

Read to him the Twenty-Ninth Scroll, Sixth Verse [of Ape Law].

Cornelius:

[reading]

“Beware the beast, Man, for he is the Devil’s pawn. Alone among God’s primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother’s land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him. Drive him back into his jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of death.”

— “Planet of the Apes” (1968)

The Cat:

No cat out of its first fur was ever deceived by appearances, unlike human beings, who seem to enjoy it.

— “The Last Unicorn” (1982)

Morpheus:

What are you waiting for? You’re faster than this.

Don’t think you are. Know you are.

— “The Matrix” (1999)

Akira:

The gods are pleased with you! They will watch the battle.

Conan:

Are they going to help?

Akira:

No.

Conan:

[whimsical]

Well, then tell them to stay out of the way!

[They laugh.]

— “Conan the Barbarian” (1982)

[Rodrigo of Vivar spares the lives of two Moorish emirs he captured earlier that day. One is profoundly impressed by this.]

Yusuf al-Mu’taman:

Among our people, we have a word for a warrior with the vision to be just and the courage to be merciful. We call such a man, “El Cid.”

I, al-Mu’taman, Emir of Zaragossa, pledge eternal friendship to the Cid of Vivar and allegiance to his sovereign lord, King Ferdinand of Castile. May Allah strike the eyes from my head and the flesh from my bones if I break this pledge. In the name of Allah!

— “El Cid” (1961)

— The Day the Universe Changed, Episode 4

Even in an RPG campaign world with magic, this is how most news would and should spread. This provides the perfect reason/excuse for bard (classed) PCs and NPCs to travel far and wide. This is their trade and purpose, after all.

Balian:

…It seems I have lost my religion.

The Hospitaller:

I put no stock in religion. By the word “religion,” I’ve seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the Will of God. I’ve seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers.

Holiness is in right action and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves. And goodness. What God desires is here and here…

[points to Balian’s head then heart]

…And what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man. Or not.

— “Kingdom of Heaven” (2005)

The Fox:

And now, here is my secret, a very simple secret: it’s only with the heart that one can see clearly. What’s essential is invisible to the eye.

— “The Little Prince” (1974)

Philip Henslowe:

Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.

Hugh Fennyman:

So what do we do?

Philip Henslowe:

Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.

Hugh Fennyman:

How?

Philip Henslowe:

I don’t know. It’s a mystery.

— “Shakespeare in Love” (1998)

— “The Memory of War” – Crusade (1999)

King Baldwin:

The whole world is in Chess. Any move can be the death of you. Do anything except remain where you started, and you can’t be sure of your end.

— “Kingdom of Heaven” (2005)