Ryan's Daughter (1970)

Trevor Howard: Father Collins

Photos 

Quotes 

• Father Collins : Don't nurse your dreams, Rosy. You can't help having them, but don't nurse them. Because if you nurse your dreams, they tend to come true.

• Father Collins : I don't know what's the matter with youngsters in this town. Their talk is filthy, their doings are secret, and cruelty for fun.

  Thomas Ryan : Unemployment is the matter with them, Father Hugh. It's the deliberate policy for the British government that Irish youngsters shall corrupt in idleness.

• Mr. McCardle : [Collins strikes McCardle after the mob strips Rosy]  You're taking advantage of your cloth, Father!

  Father Collins : That's what it's for.

• Rosy Ryan : It will make me a different person, won't it?

  Father Collins : Marriage?

  Rosy Ryan : No, the satisfaction of the flesh.

  Father Collins : Well, that's a gate I've not been through, myself. But, no, it won't make you a different person.

  Rosy Ryan : I want it to.

  Father Collins : Child, what are you expecting?

  [Look up at noisy seagulls flying above] 

  Father Collins : Wings, is it?

• Father Collins : [Explaining why God ordains the sacrament of marriage]  And thirdly, for the satisfaction of the flesh. Are you scared of that?

  Rosy Ryan : Yes.

  Father Collins : It should be nothing to be scared of Rosy. A function of the body.

  Rosy Ryan : I suppose all girls is a bit scared before.

  Father Collins : Oh, and fellas too.

  Rosy Ryan : Yes?

• Father Collins : It's time you married Rosy. It's time she got a house of her own to clean, floors to scrub.

  Thomas Ryan : My princess isn't interested in fellows, Father.

  Father Collins : Your "princess" has got fellows enough in here

  [taps head] 

  Father Collins : And fellas running loose in there will do a girl more damage than a barracks full of drunk dragoons.

  Thomas Ryan : Well, if it's one of that lot that's fit for her, Father, maybe you'll point him out!

• Father Collins : Good luck to all Irishmen.

  Thomas Ryan : Bad luck to the British. Success to the Germans! And -

  [British soldiers enter the bar] 

  Thomas Ryan : And a very good morning to you, Corporal!

• Father Collins : [having encountered Rosy walking alone on the beach]  Have you nothin' to do?

  Rosy Ryan : Precisely that!

  Father Collins : Well, Miss Precisely, that's a pity! Doin' nothin's a dangerous occupation!

• Father Collins : [Collins has come across the townspeople tormenting Michael]  What am I to do with you? What?

  Maureen : Ah, sure it's only a bit of fun, Father.

  Father Collins : Are you brainless, Maureen Cassidy, or what? Fun. Devil take me if the lot of you's not possessed and damned!

• [last lines] 

  Father Collins : Charles? I think you have it in your mind that you and Rosy ought to part. Yeh, I thought as much. Well, maybe you're right and maybe you aren't but I doubt it. And that's my parting gift to you. That doubt.

  Father Collins : [closes bus door]  God bless.

  [bus drives away] 

  Father Collins : I don't know. I don't know at all. Come on, Michael.

• Father Collins : What do you do, Rose, moonin' about all day by yourself?

• Father Collins : Where have you been?

  Rosy Ryan : Ridin' - with Major Doryan.

  Father Collins : You're bold as brass! You think that's a suitable connection for a decent Irish wife?

  Rosy Ryan : I think that is for my - husband to say, Father.