The Prince of Egypt (1998)

Ralph Fiennes: Rameses

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Quotes 

• Moses : I figured it out. You know what your problem is, Rameses? You care too much.

  Rameses : And your problem is that you don't care at all.

• [laying his dead son on a bier] 

  Rameses : [grief-stricken]  You... and your people... have my permission to go.

  [Moses tries to comfort Rameses, only for him to jerk away] 

  Rameses : LEAVE ME!

• Rameses : [singing]  You who I called brother, how could you have come to hate me so? Is this what you wanted?

  Chorus : [singing]  I send the swarm, I send the hoard!

  Rameses : [singing]  Then let my heart be hardened, and never mind how high the cost may grow! This will still be so: I will never let your people go!

• Moses : Rameses? Rameses?

  Rameses : [sarcastic]  Oh, let me guess - you want me to... let your people go?

  Moses : I hoped I would find you here.

  Rameses : Get out!

  [throws his wine glass on the floor] 

  Moses : Rameses, we must bring this to an end. Rameses, please, talk to me. We could always talk here.

  Moses : [sighs]  This place - so many memories. I remember the time you switched the heads of the Gods in the temple of Ra.

  [Moses sighs and starts to leave, until Rameses speaks] 

  Rameses : If I recall correctly, you were there switching heads right along with me.

  Moses : No, it was you, I didn't do that.

  Rameses : Oh, yes, you did. You put the hippo on the crocodile, and the crocodile on the...

  Moses : [remembering]  ... on the falcon.

  Rameses : Yes. And the priests thought it was a horrible omen and fasted for two months! Father was furious! You were always getting me into trouble!

  [he starts to walk away, then sighs] 

  Rameses : But then,

  [he laughs] 

  Rameses : you were always there to get me out of trouble again. Hmmph. Why can't things be the way they were before?

  Rameses Son : Father? It's so dark. I'm frightened. Why is he here? Isn't that the man who did all this?

  Rameses : Yes, but one must wonder, why?

  Moses : Because no kingdom should be made on the backs of slaves. Rameses, your stubbornness is bringing this misery upon Egypt. It would cease if only you would let the Hebrews go.

  Rameses : I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened. I am the morning and evening star. I am Pharaoh!

  Moses : Something else is coming, something much worse than anything before. Please, let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everything you hold dear. Think of your son!

  Rameses : I do. You Hebrews have been nothing but trouble. My father had the right idea of how to deal with your people.

  Moses : Rameses...

  Rameses : And I think it's time I finished the job!

  Moses : Rameses!

  Rameses : And there shall be a great cry in all of Egypt, such as there never has been or ever will be again!

  Moses : Rameses, you bring this upon yourself.

• Moses : [Sarcastic]  Well, that went well.

  Rameses : Just go away.

  Moses : It could have been worse!

  Rameses : The "weak link in the chain." That's what he called me.

  Moses : Well, you are rather pathetic.

  Rameses : "Irresponsible... Ignorant of the traditions." He practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty!

  Moses : Yeah, I can see it now. "There go the pyramids!"

  [laughs] 

• Rameses : And there shall be a great cry in all of Egypt, such as there never has been or ever will be again!

• Rameses : [They are both late for the banquet]  I'm done for, Father will kill me!

  Moses : Don't worry, nobody will even notice us coming in.

  [they enter, the crowd cheers loudly] 

  Rameses : [sarcastic]  Nobody will even notice.

• Moses : Rameses, in my heart you are my brother. But things cannot be as they were.

  Rameses : I see no reason why not.

  Moses : You know I am a Hebrew, and the God of the Hebrews spoke to me.

  Rameses : What?

  Moses : He commands you let his people go.

  Rameses : Commands?

  Moses : [produces his staff]  Behold, the power of God.

  [the staff turns into a snake, hisses at Rameses] 

  Rameses : Well, uh, impressive. Hmm. Very well, Moses. I'll play along.

  [laughs] 

  Rameses : Hotep. Huy. Give this snake charmer our answer.

• Rameses : I will not be dictated to, I will not be threatened. I am the morning and evening star, I am Pharaoh!

• Rameses : Come on, Moses, admit it. You've always looked up to me.

  Moses : Yes, but it's not much of a view!

• Rameses : Second born, second place!

  Moses : Not for long!

• Seti : Why do the gods torment me with such reckless, destructive, blasphemous sons?

  Rameses : Father, hear what I say...

  Seti : Be still! Pharaoh speaks. I seek to build an empire, and your only thought is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down! Have I taught you nothing?

  Hotep : You mustn't be so hard on yourself, Your Majesty. You're an excellent teacher.

  Huy : It's not your fault your sons learned nothing.

  Hotep : Well, they learned blasphemy.

  Huy : True.

• Rameses : Tell me this Moses, tell me this: why is it that every time you start something, I'm the one who ends up in trouble?

• Rameses : I will not be the weak link!

• Rameses : Tell your people as of today, their work load has been doubled, thanks to your God. Or is it thanks... to you?

• Rameses : [laughing]  All right, Moses, I know you. What's this really about?

  Moses : [looks at the slaves building the empire]  Rameses... look. What do you see?

  Rameses : A greater Egypt than that of my father.

  Moses : That is not what I see.

  Rameses : [laughs]  Moses, I cannot change what you see. I have to maintain the ancient traditions. I bear the weight of my father's crown.

  Moses : Do you still not understand what Seti was?

  Rameses : He was a great leader.

  Moses : His hands bore the blood of thousands of children.

  Rameses : [dismissively]  Slaves.

  Moses : My people. And I can no longer hide in the desert while they suffer... at your hands.

  Rameses : [his face falls, disappointed]  So... you have returned... only to free them?

  [Moses gives Rameses the ring back] 

  Moses : I'm sorry.

  Rameses : Yes... I had hoped... that...

  [He closes his eyes for a moment and then opens them angrily] 

  Rameses : I do not know this God. Neither will I let your people go.

  Moses : Rameses, please, you must listen...

  Rameses : I will not be the weak link!

  Rameses : [walks away, then opens the doors]  Tell your people as of today, their workload has been doubled, thanks to your God. Or is it thanks... to you?

  [He coldly shuts the doors] 

• Hotep : We offer you this delicate desert flower.

  [Pulls Tzipporah down from her camel] 

  Rameses : Let us inspect this desert flower.

  [Tzipporah tries to bite him] 

  Rameses : More like a desert cobra!

  Moses : Not much of a snake charmer, are you?

  Rameses : Thats why I'm giving her to you.

• Rameses : [after destroying the Sphinx's nose]  You don't think we'll get in trouble for this, do you?

  Moses : No, not a chance!

• Tzipporah : I won't be given to anyone, especially an arrogant, pampered, palace *brat*!

  Rameses : [laughs, to Moses]  Are you going to let her talk to you like that?

  Moses : [Scoffs]  You will show the proper respect for a prince of Egypt.

  Tzipporah : But I *am* showing you all the respect you deserve: None!

  [Pulls rope free] 

  Moses : [to approaching guards]  No, wait!

  [Dives and grabs rope] 

  Moses : Be still!

  Tzipporah : [Starts pulling rope]  Untie this rope! I demand you set me free!

  Moses : Be still!

  Tzipporah : Let go!

  Moses : [Notices pond behind Tzipporah, smiles]  As you wish.

  [Abruptly lets go] 

• Rameses : Oh, let me guess - you want me to... let your people go?

• Moses : Hey Rameses, how would you like your face carved on a wall

  Rameses : Someday yes

  Moses : How about now.

  [Moses pushes Rameses chariot against the wall] 

  Rameses : You almost killed me

  Moses : aw c'mon where's your sense of fun.

  Rameses : oh its fun you want

  [Rameses tries to push Moses of a hill, but Moses brakes only to make Rameses fall off the cliff instead]