I’ve done a massive greatest movie quote list before and while this falls in the same family, the best monologues or speeches in films are a bit different. They are lengthy rants that could just as easily be regarded as a tangent. Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino are most notable for the having this kind of lengthy character dialogue in their films, and while real people may not generally speak like this, they mark epic and unforgettable moments in cinema history. Here, are my top ten greatest movie monologues.
 |
10. Robin Williams Good Will Hunting (1997): "If I asked you about art you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo. You know a lot about him. Life's work. Political aspirations. Him and the pope. Sexual orientations. The whole works, right? But I bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling, seen that." |
|---|---|
 |
1. Jack Nicholson, A Few Good Men (1991): “Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.” |
 |
9. Ellen Burstyn Requiem For A Dream (2000): "Soon, millions of people will see me and they'll all like me. I'll tell them about you, your father, how good he was to us. Remember? It's a reason to get up in the morning. It's a reason to lose weight. To fit in a red dress. It's a reason to smile. It makes tomorrow alright." |
 |
8. Robert Duvall Apocalypse Now (1979): "You smell that? Do you smell that? Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for twelve hours. When it was all over I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' dink body. The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory. Someday this war's gonna end...” |
 |
7. Michael Douglas Wall Street (1987): "The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA." |
 |
6. Christopher Walken Pulp Fiction (1994): “The way your dad looked at it, this watch was your birthright. He'd be damned if any slopes gonna put their greasy yellow hands on his boy's birthright, so he hid it, in the one place he knew he could hide something: his ass. Five long years, he wore this watch up his ass. Then when he died of dysentery, he gave me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable piece of metal up my ass for two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. And now, little man, I give the watch to you. “ |
 |
5. Charlie Chaplin The Great Dictator (1940): "Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness." |
 |
4. George C. Scott Patton (1970): “Men, all this stuff you've heard about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse dung. Americans traditionally love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost, and will never lose a war... because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans. “ |
 |
3. Clint Eastwood Dirty Harry (1971): “I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?” |
 |
2. Marlon Brando On The Waterfront (1954): “Remember that night in the Garden? You came down to my dressing room and you said 'kid, this ain't your night. We're going for the price on Wilson'... You was my brother, Charlie. You shoulda looked out for me a little bit so I wouldn't have to take them dives for the short-end money. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum. Which is what I am. Let's face it.” |
WHHHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT what about edward nortons rant on seterotypes in 25th hour? That scene was the shit. Great list though
I agree with you on that one Cello. It was pretty kick ass and made my short list. I just liked the quiet punch of Williams moment in Good Will Hunting, and I couldn’t snub Ellen Burstyn once again, because that part haunts me just as much as any of the visual disturbances from that flick.
Here here. I’d rank that 25th Hour quite high on this list. Also, Julianne Moore from Magnolia.
blake recently posted..Due Date
I agree 25th Hour should have made the list. I say in place of Chaplin. I also liked Magnolia, there were some good monologues in that movie. Stand By Me is so underrated in lists when it comes to monologues. There are some gems there with the fireside scene.
I absolutely adore the Great Dictator speech, so much message, morality, and hope all entangled into a beautifully captured moment.
Other Ones I enjoy:
The Trainspotting Monologue at the beginning:
“Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home…. Choose your future. Choose life… But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose somethin’ else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got heroin?”
Also:
The Ferris Wheel speech from The Third Man
The Final Address in The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951 original)
Univarn recently posted..
Good call on The Third Man Uni! I put it on a similar post I did a few moths ago: http://www.goseetalk.com/?p=4231
It’s rather ironic that one of silent cinema’s greatest stars has one of the best monologues in movie history. Nice list.
Awesome list with most of the ones that would be on my top monologue lists most notably Apocalypse Now, Wall Street and A Few Good Men. Like they say, great minds think alike
One major omission though, Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross which is absolutely epic!
Castor recently posted..
I’m not even going to try at this level of consciousness (hey, give me a break I haven’t had my coffee yet) to add to this list but suffice to say you have some real winners on there. I’m not so sure I’d go with Good Will Hunting, I like that one but there are others that surpass it. Just off the top of my head I’d add the opening monologue (of sorts) from Vincent D’Onofrio in Antoine Fuqua’s Brooklyn’s Finest (2009) or Terrence Howard’s opening monologue in Hustle and Flow, and you just can’t forget the late great Dennis Hopper in True Romance’s monologue with Chris Walken – that is some serious, seriously top notch writing and acting.
@Japancinema – if you want to see where Spike Lee started with those rants then you have to see Do The Right Thing – not only a superior film but an exceptional film period. One of Lee’s finest and filled with great lines – Sam Jackson is smoothe as the other side of your pillow as the DJ.
@Univarn – OH OH OH – yes, the opening Trainspotting monologue is damn nice. And that reminds me of the opening monologue by Tom Wilkinson in Michael CLayton (with George Clooney) just sheer brilliant delivery and writing.
@castor – another good pick, Baldwin in Glenngarry. Also Wallstreet and A Few Good Men.
MUST SUGGEST if you haven’t already seen it, A Solitary Man (not to be confused with a single man) with Michael Douglas (I hope he gets well) – the opening monologue he delivers is superb.
cheers all->
rory dean recently posted..“La Maniere Que Nous Disons Au Revoir” Screens in Canada
Outstanding list! At the end of the day I would pick Nicholson over 90% of actors and his monologue in A Few Good Men is evidence why.
Fitz recently posted..
Great list but of course I’ve got my own two cents…
I’ll be predictable and throw in for Oh Dae-su’s monologue during his prison stint, just before he’s removed and unceremoniously dumped back in the real world, in Oldboy. And Guido’s ending monologue in 8 & 1/2; that one hits me every time. I also think a monologue list is generally incomplete without Robert Shaw’s bit from Jaws about the black eyes of the shark and, of course, Peter Finch getting mad as hell (and not taking it anymore) in Network.
Andrew recently posted..Review- Nine- 2009- dir Rob Marshall
heh heh, watched A Few Good Men a few nights ago – Nicholson nails that speech, even though the film isn’t as good as everybody thought back in the day….
Rodney recently posted..Remembrance Day 2010
Ah, GREAT list. And a great idea for a list, too.
If you like monologues, check out Robert Altman’s “Secret Honor”. It’s one gigantic (fictional) monologue from Richard Nixon. I realize how incredibly boring that might sound to someone but trust me on this… it’s worth it if for no other reason than the fantastic acting job by Phillip Baker Hall. And if you’re a history nerd, it’s great fun.
John recently posted..How is John Wayne Spending His Time On-Screen
Have been wanting to do a list like this for forever, but just not never got around to it. I think the Good Will Hunting speech (plus Damon’s) would be a bit higher on my list.
Sam’s big speech at the end of TTT would be there.
One of my favorites that seems to always get overlooked, and I think maybe it’s because her character is underdeveloped throughout most of the film and then just flat out nails you at the end, but Laura Linney’s speech at the end of Mystic River.
Red recently posted..
Linney’s speech struck me as to ‘on the nose’ so to speak.
Fitz recently posted..
I sort of agree with you. I love Mystic River but the Linney arc just does not work for me.
Great list top to bottom, but I may have to go out on a limb and say I’ve never seen A Few Good Men…or Mr. Smith Goes to Washington while we’re on the topic of great courtroom dramas. Yup Jack would be disappointed with me but I’ll get that fixed pronto.
Great to see Patton on here (that movie had so many monologues to chose from) but as Castor pointed out, your omission of Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross could be considered criminal…but you know what? It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault:)
Marc recently posted..The World’s End – Final Leg of the “The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy”
Roy Batty does not approve of his exclusion.
Jonathan Sullivan recently posted..Review- Morning Glory 2010
Very good list and tricky ’cause there’s always gonna be people dropping in their 2 cents after the fact. For example, i think i’d have included Deniro’s “Are you talking to me” rant in Taxi Driver, especially as the entire thing was ad-libbed. But that’s just me.
Tanks for the list, brother.
Al K Hall recently posted..Booze Revooze- A Drinker’s Skewed View of THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Nothing from Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? That movie sometimes seems like one great monologue after another…after another. I’d also probably throw in something from either A Streetcar Named Desire or Suddenly Last Summer – depending on which Tennessee Williams you’re in the mood for. Of the lot you have there Brando wins for me. He’s just too brilliant.
Encore Entertainment recently posted..The Kids Are All Right or is it The Kids Are Alright
where woz this taken to ? and what event ?
I’ve been around this block twice now. Looking for something. A clue. I’ve been looking for clues and something led me back here. Yeah. So here I am. It could have been me, the one who was at Ringo’s place when the shit went down. Hey. I know how it is. I’ve been there. We’ve all done bad things. We’ve all had those guilty feelings in our heart. I’m going to take your brain out of your head and wash it and scrub it and make it clean. I don’t know. But I’m going to have to settle this. First we’re going to check the hole and see what we can find. We’re going to get nice and wet, and you’re going to spread your legs. Oh, that’s good. So you know me. You know my reputation. Thirteen inches of tough load, I don’t treat you gently. That’s right. I’m Brock Landers. So I’m going to be nice. So I’m going to be nice. So I’m going to be nice, I’m going to ask you one more time. Where the fuck is Ringo? [he stands, unzips his pants and pulls out his penis] I am a star. I’m a star, I’m a star, I’m a star. I am a big, bright, shining star. That’s right.
FRC Ruben recently posted..Boogie Nights or Big Dick
Truly fantastic list! When I first watched Wall Street, I was surprised how much Gekko’s speech impacted on me – I think it was the delivery of it more than anything else. I’ll need to have a short think before I imagine my top 10 – I would agree with one of the people abov, that the Trainspotting monologue was another memorable one.
Two worthy scenes in Reservoir Dogs didn’t make the list. I’m not a huge fan of the film but recognize great moments. Anyway, I thought I’d share:
Mr. White: When you’re dealing with a store like this, they’re insured up the ass. They’re not supposed to give you any resistance whatsoever. If you get a customer, or an employee, who thinks he’s Charles Bronson, take the butt of your gun and smash their nose in. Everybody jumps. He falls down screaming, blood squirts out of his nose, nobody says fucking shit after that. You might get some bitch talk shit to you, but give her a look like you’re gonna smash her in the face next, watch her shut the fuck up. Now if it’s a manager, that’s a different story. Managers know better than to fuck around, so if you get one that’s giving you static, he probably thinks he’s a real cowboy, so you gotta break that son of a bitch in two. If you wanna know something and he won’t tell you, cut off one of his fingers. The little one. Then tell him his thumb’s next. After that he’ll tell you if he wears ladies underwear. I’m hungry. Let’s get a taco.
And…. There is the hilarious scene where Mr. Orange is trying to deliver his humorous anecdote while Mr. White and Nice Guy Eddie keep interrupting.
Mr. Orange: This is a very weird situation. ‘Cause I don’t know if you remember back in ’86 there was a major fucking drought. Nobody had anything. People were living on resin… -smoking the wood in their pipes for months. This chick had a bunch. And she’s begging me to sell it. So I told her I wasn’t going to be Joe the potman anymore, but I would take a little bit and sell it to my close, close, close friends. She agreed to that, said we’d keep the same arrangement as before; 10%, free pot for me, as long as I helped her out that weekend. She had a brick of weed she was selling, she didn’t want to go to the buy alone. Her brother usually goes with her, but he’s in county unexpectedly.
Mr. White: What for?
Mr. Orange: His traffic tickets. Got a warrant. They stopped him for something, found warrants on him, took him to county. Now she doesn’t walk around alone with all that weed. I don’t want to do this. I have a very bad feeling about it. But she keeps asking me, keeps asking me, keeps asking me, finally I said OK ’cause I’m sick of hearing it. Now, we’re picking the guy up at the train station…
Nice Guy Eddie: Wait a minute. You go to the train station to pick up the buyer with the weed on you?
Mr. Orange: The guy needed it right away. Don’t ask me why. Anyway, we’re get to the station and we’re waiting for the guy. I’m carrying the weed in one of those little carry-on bags. I got to take a piss. So I tell the connection I’ll be right back, I’m going to the boys’ room. So I walk in the mens’ room, and who’s standing there? Four Los Angeles county sheriffs and a German shepherd.
Nice Guy Eddie: They’re waiting for you?
Mr. Orange: No, they’re just a bunch of cops hanging out in the men’s room, talking. When I walked through the door, they all stopped what they were talking about and they looked at me.
Mr. White: [laughs] That’s hard, man. That’s a fucking hard situation.
Mr. Orange: German shepherd starts barking. He’s barking at me. I mean, it’s obvious. He’s barking at me. Every nerve-ending, all my senses, blood in my veins, everything I have is screaming, “Take off, man! Just bail, just get the fuck out of there!” Panic hits me like a bucket of water. First there’s the shock of it… -BAM!… -right in the face. I’m standing there drenched in panic. All these sheriffs looking at me, and they know, man. They can smell it. Sure as that fucking dog can, they can smell it on me.
Award for longest comment ever is in order…
Nobody mentioned Bill Pullman’s Presidential speech from Independence Day?
For shame…..
what about the kevin costner dialogue in Bull Durham:
“I believe in…the small of a woman’s back, the hanging curve ball,…. long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days…”
Great list, can’t argue with your choices at all but i think i’d have Tommy Lee Jones intro in No Country For Old Men in mine.
I’m astounded Baldwin’s brass balls aren’t topping this list.
The good news is, you’re fired!
Vince Vaughn’s “just the tip” monolouge from Wedding Crashers should have made the list.