Top Ten Movie Quotes from My Favorite Films

Growing up, I watched more movies than television and some movies I can still quote verbatim. People may not want to admit that movies make not only an impression on you, but they also mold your thinking. Here are my top ten movie quotes and the impact they had on me.

Gone with the Wind (1939)

This 1939 classic was and still is a favorite of mine. A couple of my favorite movie quotes came from the lips of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, played by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.

"After all... tomorrow is another day." -Scarlett O'Hara in the final scene of the movie

This quote is a testament to the strength of a person, in my opinion. Even if things did not go well during that day, at least there was a fresh start for the next. This movie quote came to mind many times through out my life. I loved the comfort of the fact that, tomorrow would be a new day and a new start.

"You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly sorry he's going to jail." -Rhett Butler to Scarlett

This quote embodied the movie for me. A young, beautiful and spoiled Southern belle's character was summarized so neatly by a man who appeared to have no morals. You discover just how wrong assumptions are. Just because she was from a good family did not mean she was morally right. I loved Rhett Butler's efficient words to Scarlett, proving to her that he knew exactly what she was, but loved her anyway.

Sneakers (1992)

Sneakers is one of those rare movies that encompasses humor, wit, mystery, and adventure. Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, and Ben Kingsley starred in this complex thriller about spies, cryptography, and deception.

"O.K., boss, this LTX-27 concealable mike is part of the same system that NASA used when they faked the Apollo moon landings. Yeah, the astronauts broadcast around the world from a soundstage at Norton Airforce Base in San Bernadino, California. So it worked for them, shouldn't give us too many problems." -"Mother" (Dan Aykroyd), a conspiracy theorist and communications specialist

I loved Dan Aykroyd's character in this movie. Without him, the movie's humor would have fallen flat. Aykroyd's character, "Mother," spent his days hassling Sidney Poitier's character, Donald Crease. Crease was a former NSA agent who, though proud of his accomplishments, was annoyed quickly under Mother's constant provocations. Because of this movie, whenever cell phones fail or I am annoyed by government inadequacies, I think of Mother's claim that the government faked the moon landings.

"You guys'll be chalk outlines without me." -Donald Crease (Sidney Poitier)

Sidney Poitier, despite his humble beginnings, is one of the most recognized and sophisticated actors of this age. He is just as stylish in Sneakers as other movies, but even his character is allowed a modicum of humor. I loved this quote because he was still in character as the brains behind the operation, but this was his way of joining what he thought would be a lost cause.

"Fellas, Janek's little black box is on his desk between the pencil jar and the lamp." -Whistler (David Strathairn)

"Uh, Whistler, I hate to tell you this, but you're blind." -Mother (Dan Aykroyd)

Whistler, played by David Strathairn, was the blind member of the team. Because of his disability, he developed a highly trained ear. Through Whistler, pieces of the puzzle fall in place. You did not have to have tons of special effects to wow the audience. Something as simple as words spoken could hold the key to the mystery.

The Sound of Music (1965)

No other musical has had such a big impression on me. And no other musical is as familiar to the general public as is The Sound of Music.

"Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live." -Mother Abbess (Peggy Wood)

At the time, this was just a quote from a movie, but it stuck with me and really impressed me while I was in college. I loved the security of the campus and the fact that I really did not have to venture out. But during my senior year, when the panic of what would happen after graduation set in, this quote came back to me. The song that followed this quote was, "Climb Every Mountain;" a song of fortitude and courage and hope. I never much cared for the characters of the nuns in the Abbey when I was a child, but learned to appreciate Peggy Wood's Mother Abbess later.

"Oh, there's nothing wrong with the children. Only the governesses." -Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) explaining to Maria why she is the twelfth governess candidate

As a parent and a teacher, this movie quote gets me every time! I love how short-sighted some parents are. If their children do not behave, it must be the fault of someone else.

"If the Nazis take over Austria, I have no doubt, Herr Zeller, that you will be the entire trumpet section." -Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer)
"You flatter me, Captain." -Herr Zeller (Ben Wright)
"Oh, how clumsy of me - I meant to accuse you." -Captain von Trapp

One of my favorite things about this movie was Captain von Trapp's wicked humor. His rapier wit was always clothed in sophistication and his intended victims never saw it coming.

"I can't ask him to be less than he is." -Maria (Julie Andrews) regarding a plea to convince her husband to at least appear to cooperate with the Nazis

From novice nun to wife of a popular captain, Maria, played by the winsome Julie Andrews, had a grace that belied her impulsive nature. This quote struck me when I was first married. She recognized that a wife cannot change her husband, nor should she try to change his mind just because it might make their lives easier. Instead, she stood by him, supported his decisions and ultimately had to flee the country with him. She was the epitome of "stand by your man."

"When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window." -Maria (Julie Andrews)

This particular movie quote is my favorite of all time. I love not only the sentiment but the truth it holds. Similar to Scarlett's hope for a fresh start "tomorrow," Maria's faith held a hope and trust for God's leading. Things were not working out the way she planned, but she knew something, perhaps something even better, would come along.

Sources:

IMDB.com

Moviequotes.com