Ned Kelly (2003) - Quotes

Taglines: You can kill a man but not a legend.

Taglines: A film about the legendary outlaw whose story outgrew his life

Superintendent Hare: Do you mind if I have this?

Boy: Hey look! It's Ned Kelly!

Boys: Ned! Hey, Ned!

Ned Kelly: [narrating] Such is life.

Intertitle: Despite petitions for a pardon that bore a total of 32,000 signatures, Ned Kelly was hanged on 11th of November, 1880.

Intertitle: He was 25 years old.

Steve Hart: I'm out of rounds. Do you have any left?

Dan Kelly: Only two.

Steve Hart: I guess that's all we need then, isn't it?

Dan Kelly: We never stood a chance, did we?

The Great Orlando: Knights in shining armour!

Ned Kelly: Curnow stopped the train.

Steve Hart: Jesus.

Dan Kelly: What does this mean?

Ned Kelly: Hare's on his way.

Dan Kelly: You mean we didn't get any of em.

Ned Kelly: Not a soul.

Joe Byrne: There'll be a hundred of em. At least.

Ned Kelly: You okay Dan?

Dan Kelly: Yeah I'm okay Ned.

Ned Kelly: Steve?

Steve Hart: A short life. And a merry one.

Ned Kelly: Joe?

Joe Byrne: We're gonna give them a good old fight, or aren't we?

Ned Kelly: That's that then. Alright, everyone listen to me. We're getting you out of here.

Ned Kelly: [narrating] So our plans were set. One, the traitor, Aaron Sherritt; dead, as arranged. Two; the police special from Benalla coming to meet us, the line torn up to send the train to hell, as arranged. Three; Superintendent Hare, if he lives, easily worth an outlaw's mother. And four; the townspeople out of harms way, drinks on us, as arranged.

Ned Kelly: I spose you're the Great Orlando.

The Great Orlando: That I am.

Ned Kelly: [raising their guns] Well, I'm the Great Ned Kelly, and this here's the Fabulous Joe Byrne. We'd like to join your circus.

Superintendent Hare: We have received word that one of your informants has been shot dead by the Kelly gang over near Beechworth. We will entrain immediately and proceed to Wangaratta. From there, you will be split up into units and will fan out across the country encircling the immediate vicinity. Stay close to your troop commanders for your orders of march. I would remind you all that the men we are hunting have not only plundered two banks, kidnapped men, women and children, but have murdered three of your fellow officers. They have outrun us before, gentlemen. Do not allow them to do so again.

Constable: [Officers laughter] Don't you worry, sir. We'll show the bloody animals. We'll blow em all to kingdom come.

Superintendent Hare: These are not animals, constable. These are men who have been glorified as the leaders of a movement, a movement that threatens the stability of an entire country. Underestimate them and it will be you who will be blown to kingdom come.

Julia Cook: Don't make me grieve for you

Ned Kelly: I ain't dead yet!

Dan Kelly: Where do you think Da is, heaven or hell?

Ned Kelly: No. He... he wouldn't be in hell, you know. He wasn't such a bad fella. He... he was just a dumb paddy who got picked on his whole life. And that does something to your pride, you know?

Ned Kelly: The country belongs to us.

Woman in Crowd: Yeah.

Man in Crowd: That's right.

Ned Kelly: And we'll go wherever we like.

Old Man: I say, give me that back. That blackguard just stole my watch.

Steve Hart: They say the Lord helps those who help themselves.

Ned Kelly: Give him back his watch.

Steve Hart: What?

Ned Kelly: You heard what I said. I said give him back his damn watch.

Steve Hart: Have you gone simple all of a sudden. We're robbing a bank.

Ned Kelly: Listen here, kid. This is the last time I tell you. Give him back his damn watch.

Old Man: You're not innocent men. You're a bunch of common criminals.

Ned Kelly: [jumps the counter and talks to all the captive people.; places his gun on the counter.; looks around.; Superintendent Hare and the three police constables went up the stairs, back to bank when Joe begins writing.] Now did you hear that? If we act like common thieves, that's just what they'll call us. My mother is rotting away in a prison cell. Because of the lies of a policeman named Fitzpatrick. She's an innocent woman, and so are these boys here. My Irish brethren have been imprisoned unlawfully and blacklisted from their selections. How do you expect me to behave other than to stand up against this treatment. Any one of you here can take a shot at me and not be charged for it. There's me gun. Any of you feeling brave enough, go ahead. No? That's what I thought. So if I can beg your patience, this is my statement to the Premier of Victoria, Graham Berry, and you here are my witnesses. Joe, take out a pen and paper. We'll write ourselves a letter.

Ned Kelly: Dear sir. Dear sir.

Graham Berry: [reading the letter] Dear sir. I wish to acquaint you with some of the occurrences of the present, past and the future. It will pay government to give those people who are suffering-

Ned Kelly: Justice and liberty.

Graham Berry: Justice and liberty. I seek revenge for the evil name given me and my relations. By the light that shines, this is my warning.

Ned Kelly: My brother and sisters and mother have to put up with the brutal and cowardly conduct of a parcel of-

Graham Berry: Big, ugly-

Ned Kelly: Big, ugly, fat-necked -

Graham Berry: Fat-necked -

Dan Kelly: Wombat headed.

Ned Kelly: Wombat headed.

Graham Berry: Wombat headed, big-bellied, -

Woman: Magpie legged.

Ned Kelly: Magpie legged. Thank you very much, ma'am. Joe, write that down. Magpie legged.

Graham Berry: Narrow-hipped, splaw-footed, sons of Irish bailiffs -

Ned Kelly: Or English landlords, better known as what? The Victorian police.

Graham Berry: This section here you might find less amusing, Superintendent.

Ned Kelly: I give fair warning to all those who have reason to fear me, not to attempt to reside in Victoria. Neglect this and abide by the consequences which shall be worse than the rust in the wheat. I do not wish to give this order full force without timely warning but I am an widows son outlawed and my orders must be obeyed!

Ned Kelly: [narrating] So I killed their policemen and I robbed their banks, but burning their mortgages, well, that was destroying crown property. It was like slapping Queen Victoria herself across the face. So they send in Hare, Superintendent Francis Hare, late of Cape Town, South Africa. And wasn't this the challenge of your whole life Superintendent? A feather in your cap. You can't catch me. You don't have a hope of catching me. So you take my friends instead. Over a hundred men arrested. Stuck in stinkin cells without trial while their crops perish in the fields. And guess what? Not one of em caves in and tries to claim the reward. Not one of em. They loved me just the same and hated you all the more, didn't they? Did you really think I was gonna let em all rot?

Aaron Sherritt: [Coming outside half undressed] Hey, gotta keep your voice down? I've a visitor.

Joe Byrne: Who?

Aaron Sherritt: Mary Hegarty.

Joe Byrne: Mary Hegarty?

Aaron Sherritt: Mm-hm.

Joe Byrne: Jesus, she can be only thirteen!

Aaron Sherritt: Ah, I'm not superstitious.

Lonigan: What the hell happened to you?

Fitzpatrick: Ned Kelly shot me.

Lonigan: He what?

Ellen Kelly: Take your rotten hands off me, you bastard!

Kate Kelly: Get off her!

Lonigan: You're under arrest! I'm taking you to the cells!

Ellen Kelly: You're filthy, you mean bastards!

Old Man on verandah: Handsome looking horse you got there, Ned. You're cuttin a flash, all right.

Ned Kelly: [sees a policeman up ahead] Ah, great.

Constable Hall: You're Ned Kelly, aren't ya? Red Kelly's boy?

Ned Kelly: [Jane gets off horse] Get down Jane. .

Constable Hall: Fine animal you got there. Distinctive, wouldn't you say?

Ned Kelly: She's Wild Wright's.

Constable Hall: That's the postmaster's mare.

Ned Kelly: No, it isn't. It's Wild Wright's. He lost her when she bolted into the bushes.

Constable Hall: You're a liar, Kelly.

Ned Kelly: No, I'm not. I found her this morning, grazing.

Constable Hall: She's been reported stolen.

Ned Kelly: Stolen, my arse!

Constable Hall: A horse thief! It's not your horse!

Ned Kelly: [pulled down from the horse.] Get your hands off me!

Constable Hall: [Horse runs away, Ned jogs after it to no avail.] You're under arrest! Stand, Kelly, or I swear to God, I'll shoot you down.

Ned Kelly: I was only going after the horse.

Constable Hall: [gun shoots] You were trying to escape, you blaggard. You're just as thick as your bloody father.

Ned Kelly: Jesus Christ! Now, what are you trying to do? I could've tanned your hide for that.

Constable Hall: Strike an officer, and you'll bloody swing for it!

Ned Kelly: [Pushes Constable Hall down to the ground] Strike you down to the ground! No blows struck yet, Constable Hall!

Constable Hall: Help me someone!

Ned Kelly: Help him! Help Constable Hall! Poor Constable Hall! He's such a fuckin rat'!

Constable Hall: [Other police officers run up to grab Ned] He's trying to kill me, the rascally blaggard! Help me someone!

Ned Kelly: [Hall hits him with gun butt; Hall hits him again] Stand put! Go on! Put me down! He tried to shoot me for Christ's sake! All right! All right! Is that the best you can do, you bloody coward? Go on. I can take it.

Officer: [orders Hall to stop; looks at Ned got blood on his head badly hurt] That's enough!

Intertitle: Australia, 1871

Ned Kelly: [narrating] I was the hero of Hughes Creek. I can still see the glint in me Da's eye as he looked down at me, his hand on me shoulder. What did he call me that day? Ah, what did Da call me? That's right. He called me Sunshine.

Joe Byrne: [in the middle of the Glenrowan shootout, right before his death] Jesus Christ, lads, I think I need a drink.

Joe Byrne: I'm sure there's no harm in being friendly.

Joe Byrne: Ah! The monkey's been shot! Poor little bugger!

Ned Kelly: [last words] Such is life.

Ned Kelly: What I best recall is riding alone with the sun behind me, seeing me own shadow cantering ahead against the roadside weeds and willows, and leaving me stretched far behind galloping to chase it. Like a centaur in the picture books.

Ned Kelly: So our plans were set. One, the traitor, Aaron Sherritt; dead, as arranged. Two; the police special from Benalla coming to meet us, the line torn up to send the train to hell, as arranged. Three; Superintendent Hare, if he lives, easily worth an outlaw's mother. And four; the townspeople out of harms way, drinks on us, as arranged.

Ned Kelly: They say the trouble with the Irish is that they rely too much on dreams and not enough on gunpowder. Whereas the English were shy on dreams, as usual, but had plenty of the other. Now we had both.

Ned Kelly: There's a certain type of black tribesman that bends in the wind. Blends into the background. Mostly he employs the help of the dead to destroy other people. "The Night Dancer", they call him.

Ned Kelly: And wasn't this the challenge of your whole life, Superintendent? A feather in your cap? You can't catch me. You don't have a hope of catching me, so you take my friends instead - over a hundred men arrested, stuck in stinking cells without trial while their crops perish in the fields. And guess what? Not one of em caves in and tries to claim the reward. Not one of em. They loved me the just same and hated you all the more, didn't they? Did you really think I was gonna let em all rot?

Ned Kelly: They said I'd lost what it meant to be human, maybe never had it in the first place, but wasn't this about protecting the ones I loved? The ones who gave me food, and shelter, even the clothes on me back? And therefore wasn't it now a war?

Ned Kelly: I've never shot a man, but if I do, so help me God, you'll be the first!

Ned Kelly: What I best recall is riding alone with the sun behind me, seeing me own shadow cantering ahead against the roadside weeds and willows, and leaving me stretched far behind galloping to chase it. Like a centaur in the picture books.

Ned Kelly: I wore it seriously, me hero's sash of green and gold - proof that I'd saved a life as well.

Ned Kelly: I was the hero of Hughes Creek. I can still see the glint in me Da's eye as he looked down at me, his hand on me shoulder. What did he call me that day? Ah, what did Da call me? That's right. He called me Sunshine.