The Proposition Quotations

The Proposition is a 2005 film about about a lawman who apprehends two outlaws, Charlie and Mike Burns, members of the notorious Burns gang. Charlie Burns is given a deal: he has nine days to kill his older brother, Arthur, the psychotic leader of the gang, or else they'll execute Mikey.

Directed by John Hillcoat. Written by Nick Cave.

This Land Wil Be Civilized.

Captain Stanley

Australia. What fresh Hell is this?

I've kept company with bad men all my life.

I will civilize this land.

I wish to present you with a proposition. I know where Arthur Burns is. It is is a godforsaken place. The blacks won't go there, nor the trackers. Not even my own men. I suppose, in time, the bounty hunters will get him. But I have other plans. I aim to bring him down. I aim to show that he is a man like any other. I aim to hurt him. And what will most hurt him? Well, I've thought long and hard about that. And I've realized, Mr. Burns, that I must become a little more inventive in my methods.

Arthur Burns

Why can't you ever just... stop me?

You got me, Charlie. What are you gonna do now?

Look at that. Be humble of heart, Charlie. This is the end of things. You're my brother. You belong with me. We are a family. All of us.

Jellon Lamb

I was, in days gone by, a believer. But, alas, I came to this beleaguered land and the God in me just... evaporated. Let us change our toast, then, to the God that has forgotten us.

Mr. Murphy, Russia, China, the Congo. Oh, I have traveled among unknown people in lands beyond the sea. But nothing, nothing could've prepared me for this godforsaken hole.

You see, Mr. Murphy, I am something of a fortune hunter.

Others

Samuel Stote: Without me and my crack shootin', you'd be fucking dingo dinner. 30 yards away, I was. And, pchoo! Blew that black bastard's head right off. It was beautiful.

Jacko: Fellow in the picture, he live in a cave. Dog man. Big fella. He said Dog Man never sleep. He sit there all day. Sit down, in the cave. Way up. He live with small fella and black fella. Cannot catch him. Cannot kill him.

Dialogue

Captain Stanley: Now, suppose I told you there was a way to save your little brother Mikey from the noose. Suppose I gave you a horse and a gun. Suppose, Mr. Burns, I was to give both you and your young brother Mikey, here, a pardon. Suppose I said that I could give you the chance to expunge the guilt beneath which you so clearly labor. Suppose I gave you till Christmas. Now, suppose you tell me what it is I want from you.

Charlie Burns: You want me to kill me brother.

Captain Stanley: I want you to kill your brother.

Jellon Lamb: [Capturing Charlie Burns] Good boy! Nice and tight, eh? Right. Up we get. [Charlie struggles] Oh, no, I wouldn't try that if I were you. Ligatures and knots are one of my many talents. Right. And it appears that you are singularly bereft of any talents whatsoever, Mr. Burns. To be speared by a savage? How extraordinarily quaint. Easy, Mr. Burns. I was drunk. You only got me because I was drunk. Well, I'm not drunk now. I'm on the job now. Not a bad days' work, either. For what is an Irishman, but a nigger turned inside out. Now, we're gonna sit down on this log. Nice and easy, Mr. Burns. There. [Jellon is shot in the back]

Arthur Burns: [walks up] I really need to stop saving your life, brother.

Jellon Lamb: Forgive me, sir, but I've been stuck here with no one but this sorry sack of Hibernian pig shit for conversation. Poor, poor Dan O'Reilly. Sit, sir. Drink with me.

[Charlie cocks his gun and points it to Lamb]

Charlie Burns: One more crack about the Irish, Mr. Lamb, and I'll shoot you. Am I clear?

Jellon Lamb: Oh, as the waters of Ennis, sir. Let us drink, then, to the Irish. No finer race of men have ever... peeled a potato.

[Charlie cocks his gun again and points it to Lamb]

Charlie Burns: Do you pray, Mr. Lamb?

Jellon Lamb: Good Lord, son. No, I do not.

[Looking at the sunset]

Samuel Stote: It sure is pretty.

Arthur Burns: You can never get your fill of nature, Samuel. To be surrounded by it is to be stilled. It salves the heart. The mountains, the trees, the endless plains. The moon, the myriad of stars. Every man can be made quiet and complete. Even the lowliest misanthrope or the wretchedest sinners.

Samuel Stote: What's a misanthrope, Arthur?

Two Bob: Some bugger who fucking hates every other bugger.

Samuel Stote: Hey, I didn't ask you, you black bastard!

Arthur Burns: He's right, Samuel. A misanthrope is one who hates humanity.

Samuel Stote: Is that what we are? Misanthropes?

Arthur Burns: Good Lord, no! We're family!

Jellon Lamb: "There's night and day, brother. Both sweet things. Sun, moon and stars, all sweet things. Very quiet now. There's a wind on the heath. Life is very... sweet, brother."

Arthur Burns: "Life is very sweet, brother. Who would wish to die?" George Borrow, I believe. A worthy writer and a beautiful sentiment, sir. But you're not my brother.

Charlie Burns: You're a copper, Stanley, not a judge and jury.

Capt. Stanley: Clearly, Mr. Burns, I am what I wish to be.

Capt. Stanley: Do I need to introduce myself?

Charlie Burns: I know you are.

Capt. Stanley: Good. And I know who you are.

Capt. Stanley: Well, allow me to address the subject of your brother, Mr. Burns. Christmas, as you're probably aware, is fast approaching. And Christmas this year will hold a unique significance for young Micky here.

Charlie Burns: [Correcting him] Mikey.

Capt. Stanley: Because on Christmas day, I have made plans for him to taken from the jail in Banyon and hanged by the neck until he is dead.

Cast

Richard Wilson - Mike Burns
Tom Budge - Samuel Stoat
Danny Huston - Arthur Burns
John Hurt - Jellon Lamb
Emily Watson - Martha Stanley
Guy Pearce - Charlie Burns
Mick Roughan - Mad Jack Bradshaw
Ray Winstone - Captain Stanley