Amistad (1997)

Anthony Hopkins: John Quincy Adams

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Quotes 

• John Quincy Adams : [to the Court]  This man is black. We can all see that. But can we also see as easily that which is equally true: that he is the only true hero in this room? Now, if he were white, he wouldn't be standing before this court fighting for his life. If he were white and his enslavers were British, he wouldn't be standing, so heavy the weight of the medals and honors we would bestow upon him. Songs would be written about him. The great authors of our times would fill books about him. His story would be told and retold, in our classrooms. Our children, because we would make sure of it, would know his name as well as they know Patrick Henry's. Yet, if the South is right, what are we to do with that embarrassing, annoying document, The Declaration of Independence? What of its conceits? "All men created equal," "inalienable rights," "life, liberty," and so on and so forth? What on Earth are we to do with this? I have a modest suggestion.

  [tears papers in half] 

• John Quincy Adams : [to the court]  James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington... John Adams. We've long resisted asking you for guidance. Perhaps we have feared in doing so, we might acknowledge that our individuality, which we so, so revere, is not entirely our own. Perhaps we've feared an... an appeal to you might be taken for weakness. But, we've come to understand, finally, that this is not so. We understand now, we've been made to understand, and to embrace the understanding... that who we are *is* who we were. We desperately need your strength and wisdom to triumph over our fears, our prejudices, ourselves. Give us the courage to do what is right. And if it means civil war? Then let it come. And when it does, may it be, finally, the last battle of the American Revolution.

• Ens. Covey : [Translating for Cinque after he has been set free]  What did you say to them?

  John Quincy Adams : Huh?

  Ens. Covey : [translates again]  What words did you use to persuade them?

  John Quincy Adams : [looks at Cinque]  Yours.

• John Quincy Adams : [to the court]  Well, gentlemen, I must say I differ with the keen minds of the South and with our President, who apparently shares their views, offering that the natural state of mankind is instead - and I know this is a controversial idea - is freedom. Is freedom. And the proof is the length to which a man, woman or child will go to regain it once taken. He will break loose his chains. He will decimate his enemies. He will try and try and try, against all odds, against all prejudices, to get home.

• John Quincy Adams : Now, you understand you're going to the Supreme Court. Do you know why?

  Ens. Covey : [translating for Cinque]  It is the place where they finally kill us.

• John Quincy Adams : Well, when I was an attorney, a long time ago, young man, I err... I realized, after much trial and error, that in the courtroom, whoever tells the best story wins. In un-lawyerlike fashion, I give you that scrap of wisdom free of charge.

• Theodore Joadson : I know you, Mr. President. I know you and your Presidency as well as any man - and your father's. You were a child at his side when he helped invent America. And you, in turn, have devoted your life to refining that noble invention. There remains one task undone. One vital task the Founding Father's left to their sons...

  John Quincy Adams : Yeah?

  Theodore Joadson : ...before their thirteen colonies could precisely be called United States. And that task, Sir, as you well know, is crushing slavery.

• John Quincy Adams : What is their story, by the way?

  Theodore Joadson : Sir?

  John Quincy Adams : What is their story?

  Theodore Joadson : Why, they're um... they're from west Africa.

  John Quincy Adams : No. What is their story?

  Theodore Joadson : [exhales and looks confused] 

  John Quincy Adams : Mr. Joadson, you're from where originally?

  Theodore Joadson : Why, Georgia, sir.

  John Quincy Adams : Georgia.

  Theodore Joadson : Yes, sir.

  John Quincy Adams : Does that pretty much sum up what you are? A Georgian? Is that your story? No you're an ex-slave whose devoted his life to the abolition of slavery, and overcoming the obstacles and hardships along the way, I should imagine. That's your story, isn't it?

  Theodore Joadson : [smiles and nods] 

  John Quincy Adams : [laughs]  You and this young so-called lawyer have proven you know what they are. They're Africans. Congratulations. What you don't know, and as far as I can tell haven't bothered in the least to discover, is who they are. Right?

• John Quincy Adams : Caesar. Cicero's appeal was to Julius Caesar, not Claudius. Claudius would not be born for another 100 years. You were right, there was one of them.

• John Quincy Adams : [to the court]  This is the most important case ever to come before this court. Because what it in fact concerns is the very nature of man.

• John Quincy Adams : [to the court]  Your Honor, I derive much consolation from the fact that my colleague, Mr. Baldwin here, has argued the case in so able, and so complete a manner, as to leave me scarcely anything to say. However... why are we here? How is it that a simple, plain property issue has should now find itself so ennobled as to be argued before the Supreme Court of the United States of America?

• Theodore Joadson : I am embarrassed to admit that I was under the misconception that our Executive and Judicial Branches were separate.

  John Quincy Adams : [holding up a nursery plant with tender branches]  No more so than these, Mr. Joadson. No more so than these. Now you know.

• John Quincy Adams : How is it that a simple plain property issue should now find itself so ignobled as to be argued before the Supreme Court of the United States of America? I mean, do we fear that all courts which found for as easily somehow missed the truth, is that it? Or is it rather our great and consuming fear of Civil War that has allowed us to heap symbolism upon a simple case than ever has been? And now it would have us disregard truth, even as it stands before us tall and proud as a man. The truth... the truth, has been driven from this case like a slave from court to court, wretched and destitute.

• John Quincy Adams : Tell me sir, do you really think Van Buren cares about the whims of an 11 year old girl who wears a tiara?

• John Quincy Adams : I'm neither friend nor foe of the abolitionist cause.

• Tappan : We know we aimed high coming to see you, Sir.

  John Quincy Adams : Well, aim lower! Find yourself someone whose inspiration blossoms the more you lose.

• John Quincy Adams : Has anyone told you about me? What have they told you?

  Ens. Covey : [translating for Cinque]  That you are a chief.

  John Quincy Adams : I was a chief. Yes.

  Ens. Covey : [translating for Cinque]  A chief cannot become anything less than a chief - even in death.

  John Quincy Adams : Oh, I wish that were true. Yes, in deed.

• John Quincy Adams : One tries to govern wisely, strongly. One tries to govern in a way that betters the lives of one's villagers. One tries to kill the lion. Unfortunately, one isn't always wise enough or strong enough. Time passes and the moment is gone. Now, listen, Cinque, listen, we're about - we're about to bring your case before the highest court in our land. We're about to do battle with a lion that is threatening to rip our country in two. Huh? And all we have on our side is a rock. Of course, you didn't ask to be at the center of this historic conflagration anymore than I did; but, we find ourselves here, nonetheless, by some mysterious mix of circumstances and all the world watching. So, what are we to do? Huh?

  Joseph Cinque : [in Mende]  Is he going to help? He has far many more questions than answers.

  John Quincy Adams : What did he just say?

  Ens. Covey : I - I - Sorry, I didn't catch it.

  John Quincy Adams : Cinque, look, I'm being honest with you. Anything less would be disrespectful. I'm telling you. I'm preparing you, I suppose. I'm explaining to you. That the test ahead of us is an exceptionally difficult one.

  Ens. Covey : [translating for Cinque]  We won't be going in there alone.

  John Quincy Adams : Alone? In deed, not. We have right at our side. We have righteousness at our side! We have Mr. Baldwin over there.

  Ens. Covey : [translating for Cinque]  I meant my ancestors. I will call into the past. Far back to the beginning of time and beg them to come and help me at the judgement. I will reach back and draw them into me and they must come. For at this moment I am the whole reason they have existed at all.

• John Quincy Adams : Truth has been driven from this case like a slave, flogged from court to court, wretched and destitute.

• John Quincy Adams : The Queen again and again refers to our 'incompetent' courts. Now, what I wonder would be more to her liking? Huh? A court that finds against the Africans? Well, I think not. And here is the fine point of it. What Her Majesty wants is a court that behaves just like her courts - the courts this 11 year old child plays with in her magical kingdom called Spain. A court that will do what it is told. A court that - can be toyed with like a doll. A court , as it happens, of which our own President, Martin Van Buren, would be most proud.

• John Quincy Adams : 'Cause I can assure you, sir, having been over there, only one thing occupies his thoughts this time of the year, being all things to all people, which, of course, means be nothing to no one. In other words, gettin' himself re-elected.

• Pickney : [addressing the House]  ... In closing, I call upon our distinguished colleague from Massachusetts, Representative John Quincy Adams, to reweigh his unmeet and unprecedented attempt to convert this eccentric bequest of - let's be frank - a bunch of junk from one James Smithson, into a so-called institute of national treasure!

  [everyone turns and looks at Adams, who appears to be dozing] 

  Pickney : Perhaps Mr. Adams is meditating on his response?

  [laughter] 

  John Quincy Adams : [with eyes still closed]  Had I thought your remarks worthy of any kind of riposte, Representative Pickney, be assured you'd have heard from me... hours ago.