Tag: ridley scott

“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”

From: Gladiator

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Maximus Decimus Meridius

The story behind the quote: The quote comes Ridley Scott’s Gladiator starring Russell Crowe as Maximus, the titular “Gladiator” of the film. The movie is about a former Roman general who, because he didn’t give his fealty to Commodus (played by Joaquin Pheonix) and after some heartbreaking events, became a gladiator in the Roman colosseum.

The quote comes very early in the film. During a speech for his troops before they go to battle, he tells them to visualize where they will be after the war and, if they will it hard enough, it will become true. After this, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Every thing we do, good and bad, right or wrong, grand and mundane, will have an affect in the world. It may not make a huge impact but everything we do will make even the slightest change to the future. This is why we should think before we take action.

“All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.”

From: Blade Runner

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Roy Batty

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Ridley Scott cult classic, Blade Runner. The film is all about a man named Rick Deckard, the titular Blade Runner of this story, and his search for four rogue Replicants who have made it to Earth. The film didn’t actually do all that well when it was released in 1982 as most critics felt the pace of the film was too slow. However, as the film gained cult status due to its incredibly deep story and Ridley Scott’s beautiful vision of a gritty future, the film has gained more notoriety and has influenced many directors of today.

The quote actually from the end of the film as Roy Batty (played by Rutger Hauer) had just saved Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) from falling off a building. Realizing that he is dying due to the nature of Replicants having short life spans, Batty laments on the experiences he had accumulated and delivers what is now known as the “tears in rain” monologue, in a sense, proving that he does have a soul and human.

Geek wisdom: A huge part of what makes us human is our experiences in life. These collective experiences are all that help form our very unique individuality. We are all interconnected by these experiences but we may not feel the same way or experience them the same way. That doesn’t make them any less significant, though, as they have meaning to you or someone else.

Ultimately, however, when we do leave this mortal coil, those experiences will be lost forever. This is why we have to experience as much of living as we can while possible.

“It’s too bad she won’t live. But then again, who does?”

From: Blade Runner

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Gaff

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the neo-noir film Blade Runner. Although it wasn’t a box office hit when it was released in 1982, Blade Runner has achieved cult status thanks to the incredibly creative world that Ridley Scott created for the film. The story follows one of the titular Blade Runners named Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) and his task to hunt down four rogue replicants, artificial humans, who have traveled to Earth in an attempt to lengthen their short lifespans.

The quote comes from the climax of the film. After one of the replicants Deckard was contracted to “retire” actually saves his life, one of the Blade Runner’s friends, Gaff (played by Edward James Olmos), appears in front of him. They have some banter, hinting that the job is finished and that Deckard might retire as a Blade Runner. Gaff then tosses Deckard a gun and then reminds him of Rachael, the replicant in his apartment. He turns and walks away but stops to deliver the quote.

Geek wisdom: Whether you’re a replicant or an actual human, life is just too short. As life is fleeting, you not only have to enjoy it as much as possible, this also means you only have a scant few years to make your mark in history. Try to live live to its fullest.