In my opinion, screenwriting has always been the most significant aspect of filmmaking amongst its many pivotal elements, given that storytelling and characterisation are ultimately what the creation of a film revolves around. These aspects are naturally fueled by lines of dialogue, which often become prominent in pop culture when associated with a certain character, scene or franchise, occasionally even adding layers of subtext to the grander narrative. Here is a small selection of my personal favourites…
Alien (1979)
“You Still Don’t Understand What You’re Dealing With, Do You? The Perfect Organism. Its Structural Perfection Is Matched Only By Its Hostility.” – Ash
Jaws (1975)
“We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat…” – Chief Martian Brody
Titanic (1997)
“I’m the King of the World!” – Jack Dawson
The Thing (1982)
“You Gotta Be Fuckin’ Kidding…” – Palmer
The Shining (1980)
“Here’s Johnny!” – Jack Torrance
Casablanca (1942)
“Here’s Looking at You, Kid.” – Rick Blaine
Toy Story (1995)
“To Infinity and Beyond!” – Buzz Lightyear
The Terminator (1984)
“I’ll Be Back.” – The T-800
Trainspotting (1993)
“Choose Life.” – Renton
Poltergeist (1982)
“They’re Here…” – Carol Anne Freeling
Citizen Kane (1941)
“Rosebud…” – Kane
Jurassic Park (1993)
“Welcome to Jurassic Park.” – John Hammond
Frankenstein (1931)
“It’s Alive! It’s Alive!” – Dr. Henry Frankenstein
The Sixth Sense (1999)
“I See Dead People…” – Cole Sear
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
“I’m Sorry, Dave. I’m Afraid I Can’t Do That.” – HAL 9000
The Truman Show (1998)
“You Were Real. That’s What Made You So Good to Watch…” – Cristof
Apocalypse Now (1979)
“I Love the Smell of Napalm in the Morning…” – Robert Duvall
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
“You’ve Got Red on You…” – Various
Forrest Gump (1994)
“Mama Always Said Life Was Like a Box of Chocolates. You Never Know What You’re Gonna Get.” – Forrest Gump
Goodfellas (1990)
“As Far Back as I Can Remember, I Always Wanted to Be a Gangster…” – Henry Hill
Pulp Fiction (1994)
“You Know What They Call a Quarter Pounder With Cheese in Paris?” – Vincent Vega
Gone With the Wind (1939)
“Frankly, My Dear, I Don’t Give a Damn…”
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
“You Probably Heard We Ain’t in the Prisoner-Takin’ Business, We in the Killin’ Nazi Business, and Cousin… Business Is A-Boomin!” – Lt. Aldo Raine
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
“May the Force Be With You.” – Han Solo
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
“My Precious…” – Gollum
Joe Baker - Film Reviews 