Amistad (1997)

Nigel Hawthorne: Martin Van Buren

Photos 

Quotes 

• Calderon : What's most bewildering to Her Majesty... is this arrogant independence of the American courts. After all, if you cannot rule the courts, you cannot rule.

  Martin Van Buren : Señor Calderon, as any true American will tell you, it's the independence of our courts that keeps us free.

• John C. Calhoun : We are inferior in one area: we're not as proficient in the art of gain. We're not as wealthy as our northern neighbors. We're still struggling. Take away our life's blood now, and... well, we all know what happens then. North and South. They become the masters, and we the slaves. But not without a fight!

  [the other dinner guests are momentarily silenced] 

  Martin Van Buren : Senator Calhoun is being modest. He's not inferior in another area, the art of exaggeration.

  John C. Calhoun : Ask yourself, Senor Calderon. What court wants to be responsible for the spark that ignites the firestorm? What President wants to be in office when it comes crashing down around him? Certainly no court before this one. Certainly no President, before this one. So, judge us not too harshly, sir. And bid her majesty 'like. Because the real determination our courts and our President must make, is not whether this rag-tag bunch of Africans raised swords against their enemy... but rather, must *we?*

• US Secretary of State Forsyth : This could take us all one long step closer to civil war.

  Martin Van Buren : This?

• Hammond : I wonder, is there anything as pathetic as an ex-president?

  Martin Van Buren : [just then walking through] 

  Hammond : [jumps to his feet]  I, I was talking about John...

• Martin Van Buren : I'm trying to drink my brandy after a very long day.

  Presidential Aide : I understand. I simply wasn't certain whether this is something you wanted to take care of personally.

  Martin Van Buren : There are what? Three - four million negroes in this country? Why on earth should I concern myself with these 44?

• Martin Van Buren : I am not about to bend to the will of some pubescent Queen.

  Hammond : Forget about them, they're unimportant.

  Martin Van Buren : Prepubescent.