30 quotes
Transformation from Captivity to Intelligence
Nicodemus
In the beginning, we were ordinary street rats, stealing our daily bread and living off the efforts of man's work. We were captured, put in cages, and sent to a place called NIMH. There were many animals there...in cages. They were put through the most unspeakable tortures to satisfy some scientific curiosity. Often at night I would hear them, crying out in anguish. Twenty rats and eleven mice were given injections...our world began changing. Then one night I looked upon the words under the cage door...and understood them. We had become intelligent. We could read. The miracle was kept secret from the scientists, and in the quiet of the night, we escaped through the ventilation system. The mice were blown away, sucked down dark air-shafts to their deaths. All except two...Jonathan and Mr. Ages. We were trapped by a locked door on the roof. It was Jonathan who made possible the unlocking of the door.
[when Nicodemus shows Mrs. Brisby a device in the corner. Two circles of metal set at right angles to form a rough globe, set in an ornate frame. The circles begin to spin, faster and faster. Energy plays across the surface of the globe described by its motion. A glowing green sphere appears, and images play across it. Nicodemus narrates the images]
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The Power of the Heart and Stone
Nicodemus
] of the heart is very rare. The stone has a power when it's there.
[when he gives Mrs. Brisby the amulet, and again later when she discovers its power; [Courage]
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Journey to Thorn Valley with Caution
Justin
Friends, tonight we journey to Thorn Valley. We will leave no tracks... no evidence that the rats of NIMH ever existed. Come...
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Concerns Over Jenner's Intentions and the Amulet
Nicodemus
Jenner, I fear, could do her harm. He is consumed by a lust for ]. Thus far, the amulet has remained safely hidden. But if he finds it... heaven help us.
[[power]
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Polite Interruption in Conversation
Jeremy
Excuse me. Pardon me.
[repeated line]
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A Visit to Mr. Ages' Home
Mrs. Brisby
Mr. Ages? Mr. Ages? Is anybody home?
Mr. Ages
Go away!
Mrs. Brisby
Mr. Ages!
Mr. Ages
What is it?
Mrs. Brisby
Mr. Ages, may I please speak to you?
Mr. Ages
What?
Mrs. Brisby
I said, "May I please speak..." "...with you?" Oh, thank goodness. I'm so glad you're home.
[Mr. Ages appears, coughing, behind Mrs. Brisby; shocked gasp]
Mr. Ages
Confounded ]! You never know when it's going to up and blow!
[[machine]
Mrs. Brisby
Yes. I don't suppose you would remember me.
Mr. Ages
Yes, you're Mrs. Brisby. And I'm sorry about your husband's death. Now if you'd excuse me…
Mrs. Brisby
Mr. Ages!
Mr. Ages
Great ], woman! What do you want?!
[[Jupiter]
Mrs. Brisby
Mr. Ages, I know you don't like visitors, but this is an emergency. Please-
Mr. Ages
Ma- Madam, that is an emergency.
[coughs]
Mrs. Brisby
Oh, Mr. Ages, my son Timothy is so sick.
[worried]
Mr. Ages
Timmy? The one with the spider bite? Oh, just give him some pepsissiwa root and-
Mrs. Brisby
No! No, he's sick with a fever.
[interrupts; more worried]
Mr. Ages
Well, I suppose I could fix up something.
Mrs. Brisby
Oh, thank you.
Mr. Ages
Follow me, but don't touch anything. Understand?
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Concern for the Mill's Stability
Justin
The mill. It's falling apart. Hope it stays up there, at least until we're done with the Plan.
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Auntie Shrew Urges Immediate Escape
Auntie Shrew
Run! The plow is here! Run for your lives! Run! It's moving day! Run! The plow is here! Run! Run! Get out!
[as the tractor comes]
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A Warning About Mrs. Brisby's Dilemma
Nicodemus
Jonathan... your wife, I fear, is in desperate trouble. A visit to the Great Owl may indeed be profitable. Go to the Owl then, Mrs. Brisby. Go there!
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Auntie Shrew Announces Moving Day Arrivals
Auntie Shrew
I came here to inform you that the frost is off the ground, and moving day is at hand. Prepare to move your very, very odd family. Good day!
[responding to Mrs. Brisby]
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Conflict Within the Council of NIMH
Justin
It's Jenner. He's at it again. He's before the Council now. This time, he's attacking Nicodemus openly.
['''Mr. Ages''': There blows an ill wind.]
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Jeremy's Allergy to Cats
Jeremy
If I had actually been near a cat, I'd be sneezing my brains out. See, I'm allergic to—kaa... I'm allergic to—kay... I'm allergic to uh... hmm... hmm... hmm... Ah-choo!
[Dragon, the Fitzgibbons' cat, comes closer]
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Urgent Concerns About Timmy's Safety
Auntie Shrew
What did I tell you? Moving!
Mrs. Brisby
It can't be!
Auntie Shrew
It certainly can! I don't suppose you've packed!
Mrs. Brisby
What about Timmy?! The chill in the air will kill him!
Auntie Shrew
Well, child, that tractor surely will. For the last time, get your children out of here before it's too late.
Auntie Shrew
RUN! THE PLOW IS HERE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! RUN! IT'S MOVING DAY! RUN! THE PLOW IS HERE! RUN! RUN! GET OUT!
[to the animals]
Auntie Shrew
BRISBY! Go get Timothy!
Mrs. Brisby
Please! Take the children out of here!
Cynthia
Mommy, mommy, we can't leave Timmy!
Mrs. Brisby
Go with Auntie Shrew. I've got to try to stop that thing!
Auntie Shrew
Wait! YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND! BRISBY, COME BACK!
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Confusion Among Friends About Identity
Teresa
What are you doing here?
[after Auntie Shrew has gone]
Jeremy
It's a good question, but don't ask. The legs. The legs! THE LEGS!
[collapses with a thud]
Cynthia
Oh, the poor turkey fell down!
[mournfully, coming up to Jeremy's beak]
Jeremy
I'M NOT A TURKEY! Your mother--
Teresa
Where's our mother?!
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Farewell to a Dear Friend
Nicodemus
Jonathan Brisby was killed today while helping with the Plan. It is four years since our departure from NIMH, and our world is changing. We cannot stay here much longer. Jonathan was a dear friend. I am lost in knowing how to help his widow. She knows nothing of us or the Plan. Perhaps best that I do nothing at present. I shall miss him. Jonathan, wherever you are, your thoughts must comfort her tonight. She'll be waiting, and you will not return. Farewell, my friend.
[after lighting a candle; Writing in a book; Reloading ink for pen; As he quickly writes signature; Holding and looking at amulet; as he puts away amulet in a case, closing it]
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A Sparkly Discovery
Jeremy
A sparkly!
[mesmerized by the amulet]
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Caution in the Face of Danger
Jeremy
Excuse me. Pardon me.
[after splashing in water; coughs]
Mrs. Brisby
You keep making all that noise and Dragon will hear you, if he hasn't already.
Jeremy
Wouldn't you sing too, I mean... if you felt... if you felt the call of the wild?
[flapping his wings and drying himself off; laughs]
Mrs. Brisby
I would- I would not, if I knew there was a cat nearby.
[lowers her voice; snapping string with teeth and setting Jeremy's claw free]
Jeremy
But she's out there somewhere, and when I find her, I'll feel it, way down in my wishbone. I- What cat?
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Auntie Shrew Calls for Brisby
Auntie Shrew
Brisby!
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Acknowledgment of Truth and Agreement
Jeremy
Right. When you're right, you're right. And you're right.
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Debate Over Moving to Thorn Valley
Jenner
The Plan is nothing but ]! A doddering old fool's ]! Nicodemus would have us destroy this colony only to lead us to starvation in some wilderness!
[[folly; [fantasy]
Justin
Good old Jenner.
[to Mrs. Brisby]
Mr. Ages
Wait. Listen.
[leans against the door]
Councilor 1
Moving to Thorn Valley is a good plan!
Jenner
Fie! We have everything we need right here!
Councilor 2
You mean we steal everything we need!
Justin
Oh, come on, you suspicious old goat.
[grabs Mr. Ages and opens the door]
Councilor 2
If we stay here, humans are bound to discover us.
Councilor 1
They'll destroy us on the spot!
Councilor 2
I agree!
Councilor 3
He's right. We'll be killed!
Jenner
Not if we got them first!
Councilor 4
He means war!
Councilor 5
We'd be outnumbered!
Councilor 6
There are too many of them!
Jenner
Hear me! The Thorn Valley plan is the aspiration of idiots and dreamers! We...! We were just talking about you.
[trails off as he notices the new arrivals; laughs]
Justin
That's refreshing, Jenner. Usually you're screaming about us.
Jenner
Who is that? You know the rules! There are no visitors allowed here!
Justin
May I present...Mrs. Jonathan Brisby.
Sullivan
Jonathan Brisby is dead!
Jenner
She's not one of us! What's the meaning of this?
Rat Councilor 1
Send her away!
Rat Councilor 2
Let's get back to business!
Mr. Ages
Wait, wait! She has been to see the Great Owl. He has told her that we could move the Brisby home to safety.
Justin
Her home was Jonathan's home.
Sullivan
We have urgent problems of our own! Let the lower creatures fend for themselves!
Head Councilor
Order! Order!
Jenner
Wait, my friend. I smell an opportunity.
[to Sullivan]
Sullivan
What?
Jenner
Maneuvers of this nature are dangerous. Accidents could happen.
Sullivan
Accidents?
Head Councilor
Jenner?
Jenner
I'll explain later. Mrs. Brisby. A thousand pardons, my dear. Forgive the ill temper of my colleague. It would be an honor to assist Jonathan's widow in any way. We are but your humble servants.
[to Mrs. Brisby, insincerely]
Mrs. Brisby
Thank you.
[unnerved]
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Wisdom on Worth and Disrespect
Auntie Shrew
Cast not pearls before swine, I always say, and that includes impudent piglets. Good day!
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Assessing the Situation in a Desolate Place
Jeremy
Well, the place looks deserted. I guess we better get outta here.
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Jeremy's Confidence in His Abilities
Jeremy
Oh, here, you dropped this back there. Nobody messes with ol Jeremy, boy. Nobody!
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A Promise to Return Later
Justin
Damn! I'll have to come back for you later.
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Hope and Love Amidst Uncertainty
Sally Stevens
♪ Dream by night ♪♪ Wish by day ♪♪ Love begins this way. ♪♪ Night's a friend ♪♪ With love to send ♪♪ Each new day. ♪♪ Bless you heart ♪♪ Bless you soul ♪♪ Let your dreams come true. ♪♪ Future songs and flying dreams ♪♪ Wait for you. ♪♪ Love it seems ♪♪ Made flying dreams ♪♪ So hearts could soar. ♪♪ Heaven sent ♪♪ These wings were meant ♪♪ To prove once more ♪♪ That love is the key. ♪
Cynthia
Is Timmy gonna die?
[to Mrs. Brisby]
Mrs. Brisby
No, sweetheart. He's just very sick.
[responding]
Teresa
What's the matter with him, mother?
Mrs. Brisby
Mr. Ages called it "Pneumonia".
Teresa
Pneumonia"?
Cynthia
When will he get better?
Mrs. Brisby
Soon. I hope.
Sally Stevens
♪ As you wish ♪♪ As you will ♪♪ Dream a flying start ♪♪ Love and care ♪♪ The power's there ♪♪ Trust your heart ♪♪ Trust your heart ♪
Mrs. Brisby
Off to bed with you now.
[to Martin, Teresa and Cynthia]
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Seeking Improvement in Personal Style
Jeremy
I'm not that bad. I just need a few pointers to polish my style.
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A Lighthearted Exchange Between Friends
Justin
Reveal thy name...
Mr. Ages
Justin! You featherhead! Get your hands off me!
[Recognizes the rat's voice; annoyed]
Justin
Okay, okay! Just a joke! I didn't mean any harm. The meeting's already in progress.
Mr. Ages
What's this all about?
Justin
Who, may I ask?
[Gestures at Mrs. Brisby]
Mr. Ages
Oh, yes. She can be trusted. This is no stranger. My dear, may I present Justin, the Captain of the Guard. Justin, this is Mrs. Brisby.
[To Mrs. Brisby]
Justin
Not Mrs. Jonathan Brisby?
[Amazed]
Mr. Ages
Yes, the same.
Justin
It is an ] and a privilege, m'lady.
[Takes off his hat and bows; [honor]
Mr. Ages
If we could dispense with the formalities?
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Inquiry About Unusual Rats on the Farm
Beth
Dear, a man came by today, from NIMH.
Farmer Fitzgibbons
NIMH?
[sleepily]
Beth
Yes, the National Institute of Mental Health. He was asking if we had noticed anything strange about the rats on the farm. Well, I said "No, nothing unusual".
[closes window shade, rats come running with an electric cable]
Farmer Fitzgibbon
Beth, I have to get up early.
Beth
Oh, it gave me goosebumps to hear him carry on that way. Like the rats might have some horrible disease.
Farmer Fitzgibbon
Good night, Beth.
[to Beth]
Beth
I told him you'd call him back.
Farmer Fitzgibbon
Uh-huh.
[yawns]
Beth
Yea. Right.
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Seeking guidance from the Great Owl
Jeremy
When we get to the Great Owl, he'll know just what to do about everything!
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Seeking Love and Adventure Through Exercise
Jeremy
Uh, yeah, I guess that's enough exercise for one day. Besides, I'm really after this terrific string! I'm working on a love nest for two. You know what I mean? Well, not really, I mean, I haven't found Miss Right yet. But when I do, the whole world will hear us singing!
['''Mrs. Brisby''': Oh, I see. You have a girl.]
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