The Patriot Movie Quotes
Colonel William Tavington
Kill me before the war is over, will you? It appears that you are not the better man.
Benjamin Martin
You're right. My sons were better men.
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[first lines]
[repeated line]
Benjamin Martin
I have long feared that my sins would return to visit me, and the cost is more than I can bear.
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Benjamin Martin
Aim small, miss small.
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Reverend Oliver
[explaining to his church why he is marching off to war]
A shepherd must tend his flock. And at times... fight off the wolves.
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Col. Harry Burwell
This is not a war for the independence of one or two colonies, but for the independence of one nation.
Capt. Wilkins
Tell me, Colonel, what nation is that?
Mr. Howard
An American nation!
Capt. Wilkins
There is no such nation, and to speak of one is treason.
Mr. Howard
We *are* citizens of an American nation! And our rights are being threatened by a tyrant three thousand miles away!
Benjamin Martin
Would you tell me please, Mr. Howard, why should I trade one tyrant three thousand miles away for three thousand tyrants one mile away? An elected legislature can trample a man's rights as easily as a king can.
Col. Harry Burwell
Captain Martin, I understood you to be a patriot.
Benjamin Martin
If you mean by "patriot," am I angry about taxation without representation, well, yes, I am. Should the American colonies govern themselves independently? I believe that they can, and they should. But if you are asking me, am I willing to go to war with England? Well, then the answer is most definitely *No!*
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Lord General Cornwallis
Their names and ranks?
Benjamin Martin
They refuse to give me their names, but the ranks are nine lieutenants, five captains, three majors, and one very fat colonel who called me a... "cheeky fellow."
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John Billings
There's a story going around 'bout how some twenty Redcoats got killed by a ghost or some damn thing, carried a Cherokee tomahawk.
Benjamin Martin
Aren't you a little old to be believing in ghost stories?
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Colonel William Tavington
You! So, you're the ghost, are you? I remember you, on that farm with that stupid, little boy!
[Martin turns around to face Tavington]
Colonel William Tavington
Did he die? Hmm?
[Martin walks up]
Colonel William Tavington
You know, it's an ugly business doing one's duty. But just occasionally, it's a real pleasure.
Benjamin Martin
Before this war is over, I'm going to kill you.
Colonel William Tavington
Why wait?
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Charlotte
You have done nothing for which you should be ashamed.
Benjamin Martin
I have done nothing. And for that I am ashamed.
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Major Jean Villeneuve
Are you sure this is the right place to recruit for a militia?
[Music stops and the pub regulars pull out their guns and begin throwing stuff at them. The two men run outside and shut the door behind them]
Benjamin Martin
I think we came to the right place!
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Susan Martin
Papa! Papa, don't, I'll say anything! Please, papa, I'll say anything you want, tell me what you want me to say and I'll say it... Papa please don't go!
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Dan Scott
I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't like the idea of giving muskets to slaves.
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[Grooming himself before battle]
Major Jean Villeneuve
If I die I will die well dressed.
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Dan Scott
It's October now.
Occam
I know.
Dan Scott
It's more than twelve months. You're a free man
Occam
I'm here now on my own accord.
Dan Scott
I'm honored to have you with us. Honored.
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[to Benjamin Martin, after killing his son Thomas]
Colonel William Tavington
Stupid boy.
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Benjamin Martin
I'm a parent. I haven't got the luxury of principles.
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Gabriel Edward Martin
I've come to call on Anne.
[Anne's father puts an ear piece in his ear to hear. Gabriel leans in and tries again louder]
Gabriel Edward Martin
I've come to call on Anne.
Mr. Howard
Well of course you call yourself a man!
Miss Anne Howard/ Mrs. Anne Martin
Father stop it! You heard him!
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Col. Harry Burwell
I'll help you bury him.
[referring to Martin's recently killed son]
Benjamin Martin
I'll bury him.
Col. Harry Burwell
My wife, Alexandria, is with child, my first. I fight for that child. Benjamin, nothing will replace your sons. But if you come with us, you can justify their sacrifice.
Benjamin Martin
Why?... Why do men feel they can justify death? Is it arrogance or...
[voice trails off]
Benjamin Martin
I have long feared, that my sins would return to visit me, and the cost is more than I can bear.
Col. Harry Burwell
Benjamin, we have a chance. Green and Dan Morgen are down from Virginia. If we win this next battle, victory in the war is within our grasp.
Benjamin Martin
Go then; seek your victory. I'm a small issue to it.
Col. Harry Burwell
You're wrong, Benjamin. You matter to your men, and to others as well. Your victories and... and your losses, are shared by more than you know. Stay with us. Stay the course!
Benjamin Martin
I have run my course.
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[last lines]
Occam
Gabriel said if we won the war, we could build a whole new world. Just figured we'd get started right here with your home.
Benjamin Martin
Sounds good. Thank you.
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General O'Hara
[carrying a British uniform stuffed like a scarecrow]
Your grace, one of our captured officers.
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[about Benjamin Martin]
Lord General Cornwallis
[Furious]
My reputation suffers because of *your* incompetence! That man *insults* me!
Colonel William Tavington
Quite impressive for a farmer with a pitchfork, wouldn't you say?
Lord General Cornwallis
I want you to find that man. I want you to capture him.
Colonel William Tavington
The man has the loyalty of the people. They protect him, protect his family, protect the families of his men. I can capture him for you. But to do so requires the use of tactics that are somewhat.. What was the word your Lordship used? "Brutal," I think.
Lord General Cornwallis
Go on.
Colonel William Tavington
I am prepared to do what is necessary. I alone will assume the full mantle of responsibility for my actions, free of the chain of command, rendering you blameless. However, if I do this, you and I both know that I can never return to England with honour. What, I wonder, is to become of me?
Lord General Cornwallis
When this war is over here in the colonies, the new aristocracy will be landowners.
Colonel William Tavington
Tell me about Ohio.
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[after Benjamin removes a British soldier's uniform off of Thomas]
Benjamin Martin
Not yet... Thomas.
Thomas
When?
Benjamin Martin
17.
Thomas
That's two years... it's already been two. The war could be over by then!
Benjamin Martin
God willing.
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Lord General Cornwallis
Fine soldier you are, bested by a bedtime story.
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Lord General Cornwallis
Colonel Tavington, why, after six weeks, am I still here at Middleton place attending a ball in South Carolina, while I should be attending balls in *North Carolina?*
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Capt. Wilkins
[after they have locked the townspeople in the church]
Ready to fire the town on your order, sir.
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John Billings
I say we drink the wine, eat the dogs, and use the paper for musket wading.
Reverend Oliver
[alarmed]
Eat the dogs?
Reverend Oliver
[still alarmed]
G-G-Good Heavens!
[Billings and Martin laugh]
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Colonel William Tavington
Oh, I don't know, my Lord. It's really... quite nice.
General O'Hara
Very nice, my Lord.
Lord General Cornwallis
Very well, it's nice horse blanket.
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Lord General Cornwallis
Tavington. Damn him! Damn that man!
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Nathan Martin
Father?
Benjamin Martin
Yes?
Nathan Martin
I killed those men.
Benjamin Martin
You did what I told you to do. You did what you had to. There was no wrong in it.
Nathan Martin
I'm glad I killed them. I'm glad.
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Benjamin Martin
He cannot be held as a spy.
Colonel William Tavington
Oh, we're not going to hold him. We're going to hang him.
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Colonel William Tavington
Would you like a lesson, sir, in the rules of war? Or perhaps your children would?
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Colonel William Tavington
[Tavington's searching for Martin]
... I wish to know his whereabouts. So, anyone who comes forward may be forgiven their treason.
[silence]
Colonel William Tavington
Very well, you had your chance.
[turns about to leave]
Hardwick
Wait!
[Hardwick tells Tavington everything]
Colonel William Tavington
Thank you very much. Shut the doors!
Hardwick
But you said... we'd be forgiven!
Colonel William Tavington
And indeed you may! But that's between you and God.
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Lord General Cornwallis
You know, this is not the conduct of a gentleman.
Benjamin Martin
If the conduct of your officers is the measure of a gentleman, I'll take that as a compliment. Get my men.
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Miss Anne Howard/ Mrs. Anne Martin
You know who I am, Gabriel Martin. The last time you saw me I was 11 and you put ink in my tea.
Gabriel Edward Martin
Oh, I believe that was one of my younger brothers, perhaps Samuel or Nathan.
Miss Anne Howard/ Mrs. Anne Martin
It was you. And it turned my teeth black for a month.
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Lord General Cornwallis
These rustics are so inept. It nearly takes the honor out of victory. Nearly.
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Benjamin Martin
May I sit with you?
Charlotte
It's a free country. Or at least it will be.
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[He simply rides away without answering]
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[All of the Martin children are sitting around at dinner]
Nathan Martin
[referring to the British if they arrive]
We're going to have to fight them off.
Samuel Martin
Won't father do that?
Nathan Martin
They'll probably kill us men.
[Nathan turns to Abigaile, the Housekeeper]
Nathan Martin
And do "Lord-Knows-What" to you women.
Abigale the Housekeeper
[scoldingly]
Nathan!
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Benjamin Martin
When you have a family of your own, perhaps you'll understand.
Gabriel Edward Martin
When I have a family of my own, I won't hide behind them.
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Gabriel Edward Martin
[Benjamin Martin and his militiamen have just killed several redcoats, some of whom had begged for mercy]
Those men were about to surrender!
Major Jean Villeneuve
Perhaps we will never know.
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[At the Battle of Cowpens]
General O'Hara
My Lord, if we re-form and wheel right, we may be able to turn their flank.
Lord General Cornwallis
You dream, General.
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Benjamin Martin
Shh... don't talk, don't talk.
Benjamin Martin
Ssh, be quiet. I'm going to take care of you. You're going to be all right.
Gabriel Edward Martin
Pa. I'm sorry about Thomas.
Benjamin Martin
Oh son, that wasn't your fault.
[Gabriel lets out a soft groan]
Benjamin Martin
That was mine.
[Gabriel gasps for final breaths of air]
Benjamin Martin
Hold on, you're gonna be all right... Don't go. Gabriel, don't...
[Ben sobs quietly while touching his son's face]
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Colonel William Tavington
Let it be known if you harbor the enemy you will lose your home.
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Colonel William Tavington
Tell me, Captain Wilkins, where do your loyalties lie?
Capt. Wilkins
To king and country, sir.
Colonel William Tavington
And why should I trust a man who'd betray his neighbors?
Capt. Wilkins
Those neighbors of mine who stand against England deserve to die a traitor's death.
Colonel William Tavington
We'll see.
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[pause]
[Tavington looks up; Gabrielle looks away as Benjamin turns his head towards him, looking worried]
[he walks towards Tavington]
Gabriel Edward Martin
I was wounded and these people gave me care. They have nothing to do with the dispatchers.
[Benjamin walks up behind Gabriel]
Colonel William Tavington
[Tavington nods and gives the note to one his men]
Take this one to Camden. He is a spy; hang him, put his body on display...
Benjamin Martin
[as Tavington's men move to grab Gabriel, Martin quickly intervenes]
He's a dispatch rider and that's a marked case!
Colonel William Tavington
[ignores Benjamin]
Destroy the livestock. Set fire to the house and barns.
Benjamin Martin
No! Colonel, he's a uniformed dispatcher, he's a carrying a marked case. He cannot be held as a spy...
Colonel William Tavington
Oh, I see. He's your son...
[pause]
Colonel William Tavington
Then perhaps you should have told him the rules of loyalty.
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Lord General Cornwallis
Everything will change. Everything has changed.
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Benjamin Martin
This battle was over before it began.
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Benjamin Martin
I was intemperate in my youth.
Patriot Middleton
Temperance can be a convenient disguise for fear.
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Redcoat Lieutenant
Sir, what of the rebel wounded?
Colonel William Tavington
Kill them.
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General O'Hara
[At the Battle of Cowpens watching the Colonial Militia retreat]
Congratulations My Lord.
Lord General Cornwallis
Infantry reserve into the center.
General O'Hara
But My Lord, you've taken the field.
Lord General Cornwallis
Now we will take their spirits! Send the entire battalion over that hill and crush them! It ends today!
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Gabriel Edward Martin
I'm sorry about Thomas
Benjamin Martin
Oh, son, that wasn't your fault
[pause]
Benjamin Martin
That was mine.
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Hardwick
They hanged my brother down at Acworth. Every damned one of them redcoats deserves to die.
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Benjamin Martin
I have seven children. My wife is dead. Now, who's to care for them if I go to war?
Col. Harry Burwell
Wars are not fought only by childless men.
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Loyalist Simms
Massachusetts and Virginia may be at war, but South Carolina is *not!*
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Benjamin Martin
I'm losing my family.
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General O'Hara
My Lord, I beseech you. You must order the surrender.
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Gabriel Edward Martin
[to Benjamin]
Thomas was my brother, as well as your son. You may not believe this, but I want satisfaction as much as you do, but not at the expense of our cause. There will be a time for revenge. But until then, stay the course.
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Benjamin Martin
[to militia]
In the future, full quarter will be given to British wounded and any who surrender.
Major Jean Villeneuve
A British man-of-war gave no such quarter when it fired on a ship carrying my wife and daughters. I watched from 200 yards off as they were burned, alive!
Benjamin Martin
You have my sympathy, but my orders stand...
Major Jean Villeneuve
Damn your sympathy! Who are you to give such an order? I know what you and your men did to my countrymen at Fort Wilderness.
Benjamin Martin
We're militia. This is not regular army. Every man here is free to come and go as he pleases. But while you're here, you will obey my command, or I will have you shot.
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Benjamin Martin
Trust the French.
Major Jean Villeneuve
Yes, trust the French. Where else do I get the opportunity to kill a few Redcoats... Perhaps a few wounded ones when you're not looking.
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Lord General Cornwallis
This is how His Majesty rewards those who fight for him as gentlemen.
Colonel William Tavington
I dare to presume my own meagre contributions will be rewarded one day.
Lord General Cornwallis
You may presume too much. His Majesty, like history, judges us not only by the outcome of the war, but the manner in which it was fought.
Colonel William Tavington
My lord?
Lord General Cornwallis
We serve the crown, and we must conduct ourselves accordingly. Surrendering troops will be given quarter. These brutal tactics must *stop!*
Colonel William Tavington
Is it not enough, my lord, that I have never lost a battle?
Lord General Cornwallis
You serve me. And the manner in which you serve me *reflects* upon me! I would have thought that a gentleman from a family as esteemed as yours would understand that.
Colonel William Tavington
My father squandered any esteem in which we were held along with my inheritance. I advance myself only through victory.
Lord General Cornwallis
You advance yourself only through my good graces. These colonials are our brethren. And when this conflict is over, we will reestablish commerce with them. Do you understand, Colonel?
Colonel William Tavington
Perfectly, my lord.
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Benjamin Martin
You have eighteen of my men. I want them back.
Lord General Cornwallis
I do have eighteen criminals under sentence of death, but I hold no prisoners of war.
Benjamin Martin
If that's your position, eighteen of your officers will have to die. Nineteen, if you hang me with my men.
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Colonel William Tavington
By standing order of His Majesty, King George, all slaves of the American colonies who fight for the Crown will be granted their freedom with our victory.
Slave Boy
Sir, we're not slaves. We work this land as freed men.
Colonel William Tavington
[Annoyed] Well then, you're freed men who will have the opportunity and the privilege of fighting in the king's army, aren't you?
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Benjamin Martin
Vive la France.
Major Jean Villeneuve
Vive la liberté.
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Lord General Cornwallis
[to O'Hara] Unless I'm dreaming, I believe I see militia forming at their centre.
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[Ship explodes at a distance]
Guest at Lord Cornwallis' Ball
Oh.. oh, fireworks! Lovely!
[laughs with glee]
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Colonel William Tavington
General, what is this?
General O'Hara
Prisoner exchange. He has 18 of our officers.
Colonel William Tavington
Who is he? I recognise him.
General O'Hara
He's the commander of the militia. Your ghost.
[Tavington draws sword]
General O'Hara
Stay that sword, Colonel! He rode in under a white flag for formal parley.
Colonel William Tavington
This is madness.
General O'Hara
If you harm him, you condemn our officers.
Colonel William Tavington
With respect, sir, he has killed as many officers in the last two months.
General O'Hara
He has shown no aggression here. Hence, he cannot be touched.
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Col. Harry Burwell
Unless we can keep Cornwallis in the South, 'til the French arrive. They promised a fleet and 10,000 troops.
Benjamin Martin
When?
Col. Harry Burwell
Uh, six months, at the earliest.
Benjamin Martin
You actually trust the French to keep their word?
Major Jean Villeneuve
Absolument.
Col. Harry Burwell
[Introducing] Benjamin Martin. Major Jean Villeneuve, French 7th Lightfoot. He's here to help train the militia.
Major Jean Villeneuve
[to Martin] The hero of Fort Wilderness. Your reputation precedes you.
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[Villeneuve wearing red coat as disguise]
Benjamin Martin
You look good in that color.
Major Jean Villeneuve
It stinks.
Benjamin Martin
Hmm, it's had a dead man in it.
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Lord General Cornwallis
Colonel, you must know that, in civilized warfare, officers in the field must not be accorded inappropriate levels of hostile attention.
Benjamin Martin
To your mind, what are appropriate levels of hostile attention?
Lord General Cornwallis
Oh, Colonel. Imagine the utter chaos that would follow from leaderless armies having at each other. There must be gentlemen in command to lead, and where necessary, restrain their men.
Benjamin Martin
Restrain them from, say, targeting civilians: women, children and such?
Lord General Cornwallis
[pause] That's a separate issue.
Benjamin Martin
No, no, no. I consider them linked. And as long as your soldiers attack civilians, I will order the shooting of officers at the outset of every engagement. And my men are excellent marksmen.
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