2nd most-quoted character in The Man in the Iron Mask (1998): in 16 of its 61 quotes
Most scenes with: Aramis (5), D'Artagnan (3), Porthos (2)
A line from Athos
It has everything to do with it. The king is a dog. A dog and a coward.
More lines from Athos
7 quotes
Athos Yes, Raoul is my reason for being here, but not in the way you think. Once I, once all of us believed in spending our lives in the service of something greater than ourselves. Aramis had his faith, Porthos his lust for life, D'Artagnan his devotion and I had Raoul. But we all had a common dream; that one day, we would finally be able to serve a king worthy of the throne. It is what we dreamt, what we bled for and what we have spent a lifetime waiting to see. I taught Raoul to believe in this dream... and now my son is dead. So I am here to find out if his life was in vain, and the only one who can answer that question is you.
Athos It's a prison. Of course, there's no trouble getting in. The problems will come when we want to get out.
Athos You're the traitor.
Athos One for all. All for one.
Athos Whatever the plan, I am with you.
Athos The next time we meet, one of us will die.
Athos Your eyes ask too much.
Scenes with Athos
8 scenes
Athos We failed you.
When we were young men and we saw injustice, we fought it.
Now we know that some problems cannot be solved with a sword.
Athos And some cannot be solved without one.
Athos What do you propose to do?
You cannot ask me to betray my king. I have sworn an oath.
Athos When a king is dishonorable, you are removed from your oath of honor.
An oath is an oath precisely because it cannot be removed.
Athos Why do you follow him, D'Artagnan? Why? What we fought for is greater than king or rank or reward! What do you fight for now?
I fight for the belief that every man can be better, even Louis.
[he puts the rope around his neck and prepares to jump]
Farewell cruel world... farewell to useless Porthos. [jumps]
Athos [Aramis and Athos are watching the building from the outside]
What was that?
It's all right; I sawed the beam. [the building promptly collapses, and Athos stares at Aramis in disbelief]
Well, I'm a genius, not an engineer! [the pair run over and pull Porthos out of the rubble]
[furious]
ARAMIS! You did this! You knew I would try hanging myself and you sawed the beam! Admit it! Admit it!
Of course I knew! You've been moping around for months! Well maybe now you've gotten the idea of killing yourself out of your head, you can stop boring everyone and be useful for a change! [pause] And put some clothes on!
Athos What gives you the right to judge me, to play God with the lives of others? Is it because you're so much holier than everyone else?
Well yes, there is that. But also because I'm more intelligent than anybody else.
Athos No, wait. With a king it is so. [pinches the goblet between thumb and forefinger] Servants have touched the goblet of the King, therefor he will touch it as little as possible. Again.
[Phillippe tries it and the goblet slips from his fingers, crashing onto his plate and spilling onto everything]
I am sorry!
Athos No. No! Do not be sorry! There are no mistakes when you are the King! You must never apologize. The King cares for nothing and for no one.
Is that the kind of king you wish me to be? Or do you say this to me because your son is dead?
[Athos is silent, he shoves back from the table and turns away]
Forgive me, I would never mean to disrespect...
Athos I am not... I am not angry with you. Do you understand? Good. Of course we wish you to be a good king. But first you must pass as Louis, and Louis is cold and cruel. The eyes of this King say that he cares for nothing at all but himself. Your eyes ask too much. You shouldn't care about... about me... you shouldn't care... [his voice breaks] You mustn't ask about my son...
D'Artagnan... They're young Musketeers. They've been weaned on our legends. They revere us. It is an advantage.
Yes. Why don't we charge them?
I trained these men. They will fight to the death. But if we must die - if we must die - let it be like this.
Athos [He draws his sword and points it at the floor. Aramis, Porthos, and Athos, join their swords with his]
One for all. All for one.
Other characters in The Man in the Iron Mask
