When I think about quotes from the movies two such quotes in particular come to mind. They are my favourites not so much for what they say but what they also represent.

The first such quote is from "The Hunt for Red October" starring Alec Baldwin and Sir Sean Connery. When after a meeting on the new silent running submarine (The Red October) that was recently launched by the Soviet Union Navy, the chief of staff for the president says to Jack Ryan, "I'm a politician, which means I'm a cheat and a lier. If I'm not kissing babies, I'm stealing their lollipops."

No truer words were ever spoken in the movies or real life. The typical politician will lie every chance he gets and smile at you while he's doing it; all while trying to convince you that he is being truthful and honest.

The second quote comes from the movie "Fiddler on the Roof". At the beginning of the movie Tevye the Dairyman is talking and singing about the community of Anatevka its people and its traditions. The lives of the Jewish people are steeped in their traditions. These traditions have an important role in the daily life of a Jew. Just as his environment impacts his way of life.

In the movie one of the villagers asks the Rabbi if their is a proper blessing for the Tsar. In Orthodox Judaism the proper blessing is essential for everything.

The Rabbi stops to think for a few moments and then he answers, "A blessing for the Tsar. Well, may God Bless and keep the Tsar ... (as he raises his finger in the air) far away from us!"

The Tsar is Tsar Nicholas II. Who later, although not mentioned in the movie, is killed as the Bolshevik Revolution begins.

As is so often the case in history, the non Jews of the community do not like or trust the Jews among them. Therefore; the Tsar has no place in the lives of the poor Jews of Anatevka.

There are many lines from the movies that come across our minds and mouths during the course of a day. Things like "What we have here is a failure to communicate." But these two thoughts always stick in my mind.

Some movies I have seen often enough that I can begin to relate entire passages.

Learn more about this author, Sherrill Fulghum.
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