Billy Budd (1962)

Terence Stamp: Billy Budd - Merchant Seaman, Rights of Man

Photos 

Quotes 

• Billy Budd : There are many ways to lie, Mr. Claggert, but there is only one way to tell the truth.

• Billy Budd : It's wrong to flog a man. It's against his being a man.

• Billy Budd : Farewell to the Rights of Man!

• Jenkins : [as Billy tastes his first shipboard meal]  Like it Billy? Taste good?

  Billy Budd : It's hot and there's a lot of it. I like everything about it except the flavor.

• Billy Budd : God bless Captain Vere!

• William O'Daniel, maintopman : [After Jenkons' burial at sea]  Well, that's the end of Enoch Jenkins. Over the side he goes and his mates soon forget him.

  Alan Payne, maintopman : They'll not forget him so soon, I'm thinking.

  The Dansker, sailmaker : Ah, whatever happened to Jenkins, he ain't worried now. He got a hundred fathoms between him and the troubles of his life.

  Billy Budd : I'd rather be buried at sea than on the shore when I come to die. Will you stand by the plank, mates, so I can shake a friendly hand before I sink?

  [After a pause, they all laugh] 

  Billy Budd : .

• Master At Arms Claggert : Tell me in all ignorance do you dare understand me, then?

  Billy Budd : I think so, sir.

  Master At Arms Claggert : Why did Jenkins die?

  Billy Budd : You did not wish his death.

  Master At Arms Claggert : No, I did not.

  Billy Budd : You didn't even hate him. I think that sometimes you hate yourself. I was thinking, sir, the nights are lonely. Perhaps I could talk with you between watches when you've nothing else to do.

  Master At Arms Claggert : Lonely. What do you know of loneliness?

  Billy Budd : Them's alone that want to be.

  Master At Arms Claggert : Nights are long. Conversation helps pass the time.

  Billy Budd : Can I talk to you again, then? It would mean a lot to me.

  Master At Arms Claggert : Perhaps to me, too.

  [His expression suddenly sours.] 

  Master At Arms Claggert : Oh, no. You would charm me too, huh? Get away.

  Billy Budd : Sir?

  Master At Arms Claggert : Get away!

• [Billy and the Dansker have just witnessed a flogging] 

  Billy Budd : What was his crime?

  The Dansker, sailmaker : Any one of many possible reasons.

  Billy Budd : You mean you don't know what he did?

  The Dansker, sailmaker : Flogging. The only solution to every problem. I warrant even the culprit himself doesn't know! It was just... his... turn!