Memorable quotes for
The Lord of the Rings (1978) More at IMDbPro »

Gandalf: One ring to rule them all; one ring to find them. One ring to keep them all, and in the darkness bind them!
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Sam: Woah, Sam Gamgee, your legs are too short, so use your head!
[thinking]
Sam: Nim, nim, nim, nim, nim... the boats!
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[after Gandalf opens the door to Moria]
Legolas: So all you had to do was say friend... and enter.
Gilmi: Those were happier times...
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Sam: Straight stairs, winding stairs what comes after that?
Gollum: We shall see, oh yes... We shall see.
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[Frodo gasps and lunges after the ring after Gandalf has tossed it into the lit fireplace]
Gandalf: [restraining Frodo] Wait. Do you desire it so much already?
Frodo Baggins: [lying] No, but, but why ruin it?
Gandalf: Because it is altogether *evil*. It will corrupt and destroy anyone who wears it, until he passes into the world of shadows under the power of Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor.
Frodo Baggins: [distraught] Not Bilbo!
Gandalf: [pointing] *You* are the one who has the Ring now.
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Frodo Baggins: I wish it need not happen in my time.
Gandalf: So do I.
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[a crow abruptly caws and takes off into the sky]
Frodo Baggins: Because of Gollum! Oh, Gandalf... what am I to do? What a pity that Bilbo didn't kill that vile creature when he had the chance.
Gandalf: Yes, it was pity. Pity and mercy.
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[on what to do with the Ring]
Frodo Baggins: [brightly] I'll give it to you, Gandalf!
[Gandalf looks horrified]
Frodo Baggins: You're wise and powerful! Will you not...
Gandalf: [anguished] No! Do not tempt me! I would wish to turn it to good, and it cannot be used so! Meaning to be kind, I would become as terrible as the Dark Lord himself. Do not tempt me!
[sighing]
Gandalf: I shall have need of such strength so soon.
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[Gandalf has caught Sam spying]
Sam: Oh, Mr. Frodo, sir! Don't let him hurt me, sir! Don't let him turn me into something unnatural!
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Pippin: [after Gandalf has read the dwarves' book in moria]
[panicked]
Pippin: Gandalf, I don't want to stay here!
Gandalf: [soothingly] We're going now, Pippin.
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Gollum: My Precious. My Precious.
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Aragorn: [as Boromir's funeral boat floats away] Either we take the last boat and follow Frodo, or we follow the orcs on foot.
Legolas: Pippin and Merry may be dead by now, we don't know.
Aragorn: We cannot forsake them... the fate of the ringbearer is my hands no longer, the company of the Ring has played it's part.
Aragorn: We follow the orcs!
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Gandalf: I have come for your aid Saruman the White, in troubled times. The Nine are abroad, darkness approaches, the Black Riders!
Saruman: Is that all the news you have for me then?
Gandalf: Is that not enough? Sauron is moving at last!
Saruman: We can deal with Sauron ourselves Gandalf. You, and I. One way or another.
Gandalf: What talk is this? What are you saying Saruman?
Saruman: It is time for us to choose. A new age is upon us, a new power is rising. Nothing that Elves or Men or Wizards can do will avail against it. Its enemies are utterly doomed, but its friends...
Gandalf: You are saying that we should join with Mordor? With him?
Saruman: Does that displease you? Where is the Ring Gandalf? Why do the servants of Sauron seek for it in the Shire? Have you hidden it there? Would you rather see the Dark Lord have it, or Saruman of Many Colours?
Gandalf: Neither of you will have it.
Saruman: There is a third choice. It is to remain here, until you tell me where the One Ring may be found.
Gandalf: Saruman, if you do this, if you delay me here, Sauron will surely get it then.
Saruman: Then he will know his good servants... and his enemies.
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