Challenging, dramatic, provocative.
David Sterritt in The Christian Science Monitor
Dogville quotes
Page 2 of 16A marvel — but the film's stylized technique makes great demands on cast and audience alike.
Donald J. Levit in Reeltalk Movie Reviews
Brilliant and infuriating, wise and naïve, outrageous yet unforgettable.
Jami Bernard in The New York Daily News
If there is any town this world would be better without, this is it.
Grace
In which Dogville bares its teeth
I have been mean to the others too, even baby Achilles. And he's so tiny he can't put up a fight. It's not right... I got it coming to me, I know. I deserve a spanking.
Jason
I wasn't trying to fool anyone.
Grace
I think you have plenty to offer Dogville.
Tom to Grace
Which introduces us to the Town and its residents...
This is the sad tale of the township of Dogville. Dogville was in the Rocky Mountains in the US of A. Up here where the road came to its definitive end near the entrance to the old, abandoned silver mine.
Don't be upset. I'm sorry if I doubted you. It won't happen again. I promise you.
Chuck I wouldn't make that promise if I was you. When you fended me off, a thought came into my mind that made me ashamed. A thought that you would hate me for.
You do not pass judgement, because you sympathize with them. A deprived childhood and a homicide really isn't necessarily a homicide, right? The only thing you can blame is circumstances. Rapists and murderers may be the victims, according to you. But I, I call them dogs, and if they're lapping up their own vomit the only way to stop them is with the lash... Dogs can be taught many useful things, but not if we forgive them every time they obey their own nature.
The Big Man
You can see through it all, can't you. I'll tell you, I'm gonna be asleep in two minutes.
What if I don't want you to go to sleep?
I don't think you have a choice tonight.
I found out that people are the same all over. Greedy as animals. In a small town they're just a bit less successful. Feed 'em enough they'll eat till their bellies burst.
Chuck
I went to Mr. McKay. I went to Martha and to Chuck and Vera's, and nobody seems to need any help. They all think everyone else needs something, and not themselves.
Grace
Grace had friends in Dogville. That was for sure. Whether they were few or many did not matter a jot. Grace had bared her throat to the town and it had responded with a great gift: with friends. No gangster could deprive her of this meeting with the township no matter how many guns in the world. And should the strokes of the bell not reach 15, she knew now that she meant something to the town and that her stay had been of significance. Not much, perhaps, but nevertheless, a trace she had left. And the first in her young life in which she took pride.
Does every human being need to be accountable for their action. Of course they do. But you don't even give them that chance. And that is extremely arrogant. I love you. I love you. I love you to death. But you are the most arrogant person I've ever met. And you call me arrogant! I have no more to say.
The Big Man