Anthony Quayle: Colonel Brighton

Lawrence of Arabia

Colonel Brighton

Colonel Brighton: Are you badly hurt?
T.E. Lawrence: I'm not hurt at all. Didn't you know? They can only kill me with a golden bullet.

Auda abu Tayi: When Lawrence finds what he's looking for, he will go home. When you find what you are looking for, you will go home.
Colonel Brighton: I will not.
Auda abu Tayi: Then you are a fool. Be thankful that when God made you a fool, He gave you a fool's face.

[first lines]
Colonel Brighton: He was the most extraordinary man I ever knew.
Vicar at St. Paul's: Did you know him well?
Colonel Brighton: I knew him.
Vicar at St. Paul's: Well, nil nisi bonum. But did he really deserve a place in here?

T.E. Lawrence: I'm to "assess the situation".
Colonel Brighton: Hmph! Well that won't be too difficult. The situation's bloody awful.

General Allenby: [the British army staff is having a field briefing] Very well, gentlemen. The cavalry's gone through Mazril and Deraa. Very good, by the way, very good indeed. Now your turn.
Artilery general, field briefing: Well, sir, if the enemy's retreating in any kind of order - which we'd better assume...
General Allenby: Certainly.
Artilery general, field briefing: ...Then they can't be further than this Mallud place. In which case I can have them within range by... 0900 hours tomorrow?
General Allenby: Splendid! Phillip.
Infantry general, field briefing: Well, these
[referring to British soldiers marching in the background]
Infantry general, field briefing: are the last of the infantry supports coming up now, sir. But Mallud... could have the fusilliers there by... Wednesday, sir?
General Allenby: That'll do for now. The guns are what matter! Any questions?
Cavalry general, field briefing: This Arab army on the right, sir - what's it consist of?
Colonel Brighton: Irregular cavalry, sir. About two thousand.
Cavalry general, field briefing: Where are they now?
Colonel Brighton: Can only know that by being with them, sir.
General Allenby: Then get with them, Harry! I want to know.
Colonel Brighton: Yes, sir.
General Allenby: Pound them, Charley -
[strikes blackboard with his fist]
General Allenby: POUND THEM!

Colonel Brighton: I've been waiting for you.
T.E. Lawrence: Did you know I was coming?
Colonel Brighton: I knew someone was coming. I mean Feisal told me.
T.E. Lawrence: How did he know?
Colonel Brighton: Not much happens within 50 miles of Feisal that Feisal doesn't know. I'll give him that... no escort?
T.E. Lawrence: My guide was killed at the Masturah well.
Colonel Brighton: Turks?
T.E. Lawrence: No, an Arab.
Colonel Brighton: Bloody savages.
[They both ride away]

Colonel Brighton: Major Lawrence will campaign this winter, but you've got what you wanted so you're going home. Is that it?
Auda abu Tayi: Of course. When Orens has got what he wants, he will go home. When you have got what you want, you will go home.
Colonel Brighton: Oh no I shan't Auda.
Auda abu Tayi: Then you are a fool.
Colonel Brighton: Maybe. I am not a deserter.
Auda abu Tayi: Give thanks to God, Brighton, that when He made you a fool, he gave you a fool's face.
Colonel Brighton: You are an impudent rascal.
Auda abu Tayi: I must go, Orens, before I soil myself with a fool's blood.
Colonel Brighton: It's like talking to a brick wall.