A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Anthony Sharp: Minister

Photos 

Quotes 

• Minister : What crime did you commit?

  Alex : The accidental killing of a person, sir.

  Chief Guard Barnes : He brutally murdered a woman, sir, in furtherance of theft. Fourteen years, sir!

  Minister : Excellent. He's enterprising, aggressive, outgoing, young, bold, vicious. He'll do.

  Governor : Well, fine, we could still look at C-block...

  Minister : No, no, no. That's enough. He's perfect. I want his records sent to me. This vicious young hoodlum will be transformed out of all recognition.

  Alex : Thank you very much for this chance, sir.

  Minister : Let's hope you make the most of it, my boy.

• Prison Chaplain : Choice! The boy has not a real choice, has he? Self-interest, the fear of physical pain drove him to that grotesque act of self-abasement. The insincerity was clear to be seen. He ceases to be a wrongdoer. He ceases also to be a creature capable of moral choice.

  Minister : Padre, there are subtleties! We are not concerned with motives, with the higher ethics. We are concerned only with cutting down crime and with relieving the ghastly congestion in our prisons. He will be your true Christian, ready to turn the other cheek, ready to be crucified rather than crucify, sick to the heart at the thought of killing a fly. Reclamation! Joy before the angels of God! The point is that it works.

• Minister : Oh, yes. I understand you're fond of music. I have arranged a little surprise for you.

  Alex : Surprise?

  Minister : One that I hope that you will like. As a um... how shall we put it? As a symbol of our new understanding. An understanding between two friends.

• Minister : Punishment means nothing to them, you can see that. They enjoy their so-called punishment.

  Alex : You're absolutely right, sir.

  Chief Guard Barnes : Shut your bleeding hole!

• Minister : As I was saying, Alex, you can be instrumental in changing the public verdict. Do you understand, Alex? Have I made myself clear?

  Alex : As an unmuddied lake, friend. As clear as an azure sky of deepest summer. You can rely on me, friend.

• Minister : Public opinion has a way of changing.

• Minister : You seem to have a whole ward to yourself, my boy.

  Alex : Yes, sir, and a very lonely place it is too, sir, when I wake up in the middle of the night with my pain.

  Minister : Yes... well, good to see you on the mend!

• Alex : So I waited and, O my brothers, I got a lot better munching away at eggiwegs, and lomticks of toast and lovely steakiwegs and then, one day, they said I was going to have a very special visitor.

  [the Minister enters] 

  Minister : Good evening, my boy.

• Minister : [addressing the audience]  But enough of words, actions speak louder than. Action now. Observe all.