The 20 Most Misquoted Movie Lines
Dirty Harry’s diatribe and more… corrected!
This week, the DVD Club’s Twitter hounds are tackling Dirty Harry.
One of Clint Eastwood’s most famous lines in the movie frequently gets misquoted (see below).
And that got us to thinking of the most famous film dialogue that people get wrong. And how we could suggest an alternative.
So check out the lines and don’t forget to show up tonight at 8pm (GMT) for some brutal cop action at DVD Club .
Dirty Harry (1971)
What People Say: “Do you feel lucky, punk?"
What The Film Really Said: " Ah, I know what you're thinking, punk. You're thinking, 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Well, to tell you the truth, I've forgotten myself in all this excitement. 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 ?"
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If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Excuse me, sir, but current police guidelines mean I am required to inform you of the still-loaded nature of my weapon. I would also warn you that it is statistically likely that you will face a life-terminating situation should I discharge it.”
Wall Street (1987)
What People Say: "Greed is good!"
What The Film Really Said: "The point is, ladies and gentlemen, 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."
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Loadsamoneeeeey!”
Next: The Empire Strikes Back & Apocalypse Now
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The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
What People Say: "Luke, I am your father."
What The Film Really Said: "No. I am your father."
And for the pedantic among you, the line said on camera was “Obi Wan killed your father.” The dub was made to include the twist.
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Luke… I’ve got something to tell you. You know that Princess you kissed? It’s sort of awkward… Oh, and sorry about the hand.”
Apocalypse Now (1979)
What People Say: "I love the smell of napalm in the morning. It smells like victory!"
What The Film Really Said: "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 12 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. Smells like victory. "
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: What do I smell? Is it you, son? You really need to change those pants if you’re going to stay in this war.”
Next: The Graduate & Casablanca
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The Graduate (1967)
What People Say: "Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?"
What The Film Really Said: "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?"
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Hey, baby… I like the way your wattle hangs…”
Casablanca (1942)
What People Say: "Play it again, Sam."
What The Film Really Said: "You played it for her, you can play it for me. If she can stand it, I can. Play it!"
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Do you know chopsticks?”
Next: Tarzan & Snow White
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Tarzan, The Ape Man (1932)
What People Say: “Me Tarzan, you Jane!”
What The Film Really Said: Jane: (pointing to herself) Jane. Tarzan: (he points at her) Jane. Jane: And you? (She points at him) You? Tarzan: (stabbing himself proudly in the chest) Tarzan, Tarzan. Jane: (emphasizing his correct response) Tarzan. Tarzan: (poking back and forth each time) Jane. Tarzan. Jane. Tarzan…
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “ Yo, baby… You ever see a chimpanzee swallow his own head? It's kinda hot.”
Snow White And The Seven Dwarves (1937)
What People Say: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
What The Film Really Said: "Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?"
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “I ran 'fairest of all' through the search box and I didn’t see myself. I blame Google.”
Next: Field Of Dreams & Treasure Of The Sierra Madre
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Field Of Dreams (1989)
What People Say: “If you build it, they will come.”
What The Film Really Said: “If you build it he will come.”
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: "If you build it, the government will charge you extra on your taxes. Why not put in a pool instead?"
The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (1948)
What People Say: “ Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!”
What The Film Really Said: “Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges. I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ badges!”
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “You want a badge?" (Pulls out gun and shoots). "There's your badge."
Next: White Heat & Sons Of The Desert
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White Heat (1949)
What People Say: “ Top of the world, ma!”
W hat The Film Really Said: “Made it, Ma. Top of the world!”
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Hey, ma! It’s the best day ever! I hope nothing explodes and ruins it!”
Sons Of The Desert (1933)
What People Say: “Well, here's another fine mess you've gotten us into!”
What The Film Really Said: “Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!"
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “I hate you, Stan. I’ve always hated you. I hate your ever-living guts.”
Next: Jaws & Star Trek IV
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Jaws (1978)
What People Say: “We’re gonna need a bigger boat!”
What The Film Really Said: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!”
Star Trek: The Voyage Home (1987)
What People Say: “Beam me up, Scotty!”
What The Film Really Said: “ Scotty, beam us up.” The misquoted version was never actually said in the show.
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Scotty, you fat sonofabitch, beam me up before I fly up there and smack you myself.”
Next: All About Eve & Lives Of A Bengal Lancer
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All About Eve (1950)
What People Say: "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night."
What The Film Really Said : "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride."
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Keep all arms and legs inside the car until it has come to a complete stop.”
Lives Of A Bengal Lancer (1935)
What People Say: "We have ways of making you talk.”
What The Film Really Said : "We have ways of making men talk.” It’s usually assigned to Nazis and Bond villains these days…
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “You can keep quiet if you want. It’s okay. We don’t mind.”
Next: She Done Him Wrong & ...And Justice For All
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She Done Him Wrong (1933)
What People Say: "Why don’t you come up and see me sometime.”
What The Film Really Said: "Why don't you come up sometime and see me? I'm home every evening.” She did switch it to the correct order for I’m No angel, but there was no “Why don’t you…”
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Hello! How about we have sex? I’m easy.”
…And Justice For All (1979)
What People Say: "I’m out of order? You’re out of order! This whole courtroom’s out of order!”
What The Film Really Said: " You're out of order! You're out of order! The whole trial is out of order! They're out of order!"
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Your honour, I would respectfully ask that you go f**k yourself.”
Next: The Silence Of The Lambs & The Wizard Of Oz
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The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
What People Say: “Hello, Clarice…”
What The Film Really Said: " Good evening, Clarice.” Lecter does in fact say “Hello, Clarice” in 2001’s Hannibal.
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “ Yo, Clarice? What’s the happy haps?”
The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
What People Say: “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto.”
What The Film Really Said: " Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Yeah, it’s not far wrong, but it is wrong.
If We’re Going To Get It Wrong, Why Not: “Holy s**t, Toto! The whole world’s gone Technicolor!”
Don't forget to join us tonight for Dirty Harry DVD Club !
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James White is a freelance journalist who has been covering film and TV for over two decades. In that time, James has written for a wide variety of publications including Total Film and SFX. He has also worked for BAFTA and on ODEON's in-cinema magazine.
