Tristana (1970)

Fernando Rey: Don Lope

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Quotes 

• Don Lope : Poor workers. Cheated and then beaten. Work is a curse, Saturno. Down with work that you have to do to survive. That work isn't honorable, as some say. All it does is fatten the exploiting swine. However, what you do for pleasure ennobles man. If only we could all work like that. Look at me, I'd rather be hanged than work! So, I live poorly, but I live without working.

• Don Lope : [Consoling Tristana after she's had a bad dream]  It's good to have dreams, even if they're frightening... The dead don't dream.

• Don Lope : I know Jesus was the first socialist, etc. So what? The true priests are those of us who defend the innocent, the enemies of injustice, hypocrisy and filthy lucre.

• Don Lope : After all, life isn't as dark as many believe. It's snowing heavily. But we're warm in here.

• Don Lope : We must protect the weak. The police represent strength. Men like me always defend the weak, whoever they are, whatever their situation. Never forget that, little one.

• Don Zenón : And the Ten Commandments?

  Don Lope : I respect all of them, except those to do with sex, because I'm sure they were added to the truly divine ones by Moses for political reasons that don't affect me.

• Don Lope : When it comes to women and love, I've never seen any sin.

• Don Lope : When we meet with a woman, if she is consenting and if we can make her consent, then the encounter should be pleasant. But there are two exceptions: the wife of a friend and that strange flower, so rare, that is born from perfect innocence.

• Don Lope : Look at that couple. Don't you get the sickly scent of conjugal happiness?

  Tristana : I don't understand.

  Don Lope : Did you see that bovine look of resignation? That boredom? Farewell, love. Never get married, Tristana.

  Tristana : One can be free and honorable.

  Don Lope : Exactly. Passion must be free. It's a law of nature. No chains or signatures or blessings!

• Don Lope : You've been warned. Don't forget I still have two obligations to you. I'm your father and your husband. One or other, as it suits me.

• Don Lope : You know you're not like the others. Let me do with you what I've done with no other woman.

• Don Lope : Do you think I would go to my sister's burial, that parade of cassocks? I remember my childhood. She'll have died grieving, I was still alive and sinning.

• Don Lope : [Drunkenly]  Tristana... Tristful Ana...

• Don Lope : Tristana, I'm an old dog and I know that when a young woman goes out every day, it's because she's found a bone. I don't know what kind of bone it is, but don't deny it.

• Don Lope : I'm her guardian.

  Horacio : Guardian... She told me what kind of old pervert you are.

• Don Lope : Remember that I had to sell it all? I bought it back from the same Jew.

• Don Lope : Where are you going?

  Tristana : To bed.

  Don Lope : On a night like this, you're leaving me on my own?

  Tristana : Really! It's incredible that you still have those illusions at your age.

• Don Lope : Where is God's grace going?

  Muchacha : To find a sweetheart.

  Don Lope : He's right here, dear.

  Muchacha : So old?

  Don Lope : Not that old! Don't bury me yet!

• Don Lope : It's true that there are no longer men of my kind. Of our kind.

  Don Zenón : One thing that has not changed between yesterday and today. The taste for ladies.

  Don Lope : I totally agree, but today there is so much effeminacy.

• Don Lope : [Saturna and Don Lope are downstairs, awaiting word from the doctor]  She's in a very bad way.

  Saturna : If you'd let me put on a poultice, she'd be feeling better.

  Don Lope : Don't talk rubbish!

  Dr. Miquis : [the doctor comes down from Tristana's room]  My dear Don Lope, we are faced with what I feared. Tristana is very ill. We have to speak clearly.

  Don Lope : Go ahead and tell me.

  Dr. Miquis : She is suffering from blood poisoning. We have to operate... to amputate her leg.

  Don Lope : The poor girl... She'll be horribly mutilated... When?

  Dr. Miquis : We can't wait another day.

  Don Lope : What science is this when the only cure is amputation! Find some other way... Cut off both my legs if you want!

• Don Lope : [after having been asked to judge a sword duel wherein both parties have decided that it will be to first blood, i.e., not to the death]  Is that possible? To first blood? Do you think I'll agree to be judge of such a farce? I don't like circuses! I don't think honor is saved by a scratch on the skin. So much for those good-for-nothings and their conscience. Gentlemen, don't call on me again for matters of honor that have so little worth.