Dr. Christian Szell [to Babe]
You're weak. Your father was weak in his way. Your brother in his, now you in yours. You are all so predictable.
2nd most-quoted character in Marathon Man (1976): in 9 of its 18 quotes
Most scenes with: Babe (4)
Oh, please don't worry. I'm not going into that cavity. That nerve's already dying. A live, freshly-cut nerve is infinitely more sensitive. So I'll just drill into a healthy tooth until I reach the pulp... unless of course you can tell me that it's safe.
More lines from Dr. Christian Szell
2 quotes Dr. Christian Szell Dr. Christian Szell [to Janeway]
Thus far I find you rather detestable, may I say that without hurting your feelings?
Scenes with Dr. Christian Szell
6 scenes Szell You keep me waiting. Why? To upset me?
Good evening.
Szell I'm not one to be mocked, and your behavior—
Don't give me any static about my behavior, not after what you've been pulling.
Szell I've done nothing.
You're going to tell me that Chen acted on his own?
Szell I don't know what you're talking about.
I don't mind you hiring him, but my brother for Chrissake's! Did you have to involve him?
Szell It was nothing.
It was a violation. We do not involve family. We never involve family.
Szell Think of it as a warning. Nothing more.
[Doc slaps Szell. Szell shouts in pain and collapses. His two associates come to Szell's aid]
Think of that as a warning and nothing more.
Szell You would like to fight, wouldn't you? It will not happen. I'm much too old and far too smart for that. [He gets up] But we... must talk truthfully. Are you to be trusted?
No.
Szell Is that the truth? Or are you trying again to upset me?
I know that you're going to the bank sooner or later.
Szell Perhaps I've already been.
If you had, you wouldn't be here talking to me, would you?
Szell And what else do you know?
I know that you're panicking. You think when you leave the bank, someone's gonna rob you.
Szell Who would do such a thing?
Obviously, you think I would.
Szell Well? Can I trust you?
You never could. You only had to.
Szell We're talking of my safety.
May I be candid?
Szell Yes.
I couldn't give a **** about your—
[Szell stabs Doc with a push dagger hidden in his sleeve, and Doc gasps. Szell takes the knife out of Doc and leaves with his men while Doc collapses]
Szell [Szell comes into the room. He pats Babe on the shoulder and walks to the sink]
The gun had blanks, the knife, a retractable blade. Hardly original, but effective enough, I think you'll agree. I'm told you are a graduate student. Brilliant, yes? You're a historian, and I am part of history. I should have thought you would have found me interesting. Frankly, I am disappointed in your silence.
Why do you have so little accent?
Szell I had alexia as a child. Alexia is a disease that-
I know. It's where you can't understand written speech.
Szell Highest marks. At any event, my writing is childish still, but I am a fanatic about spoken language. I envy you your school days. Enjoy them fully. It's the last time of your life no expects anything of you.
Szell Is it safe? [pause] Is it safe?
You're talking to me?
Szell Is it safe?
Is what safe?
Szell Is it safe?
I don't know what you mean. I can't tell you something's safe or not, unless I know specifically what you're talking about.
Szell Is it safe?
Tell me what the "it" refers to.
Szell Is it safe?
Yes, it's safe, it's very safe, it's so safe you wouldn't believe it.
Szell Is it safe?
No. It's not safe, it's... very dangerous, be careful. [laughs but in a scared manner]
Szell [Szell takes his dental explorer and mouth mirror and approaches Babe]
Hm. Relax, relax, relax. Come on. Open. Uh-huh. Okay, okay. [Babe opens his mouth] Come on.
Szell That hurt?
Uh-huh.
Szell I know. I should think it would. You should take better care of your teeth. You have a...[hits the cavity again]
Aah!
Szell ...a cav...quite a cavity here. Is it safe?
Look, I told you I can't... [Szell stabs the probe into the nerve] AAH! AAAH! Aah!
Karl [holds Babe's head again]
You thinks he knows?
Erhard Of course he knows! He's being very stubborn.
Szell It's okay.
Huh?
Szell [Szell applies the bottle of oil of cloves to kill the pain]
Is it not remarkable? Simple oil of cloves, and how amazing the results. Life can be that simple: [holds up the oil] Relief... [and the probe tool] Discomfort. Now which of these I next apply? That decision is in your hands. So... take your time... and tell me... is it safe?
Aah. [says in a hushed tone] Please stop. Please, stop.
Note: the line, "Is it safe?" is ranked #70 in the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema.
I don't think he knows anything. And I think he knows too much.
Szell You can afford to think what you wish. I can't.
...
Szell [to Babe]
Oh please don't worry. I'm not going into that cavity. That nerve's already dying. A live, freshly-cut nerve is infinitely more sensitive. So I'll just drill into a healthy tooth until I reach the pulp... unless of course you can tell me that it's safe.
Szell I was in a state of hysteria, you know. [referring to the open suitcase filled with diamonds] Don't you want to take a closer look than that?
No!
Szell You see, uh, in a sense, one becomes more emotional with age. First, after a lifetime of being taken by friends and enemies alike, and then just when you think you have your possessions sure, your health begins to go. [laughs] That is, of course, the ultimate theft!
Szell Well, what are you going to do now, shoot me?
No, I don't think so.
Szell Then you're going to take these from me? [gestures to the diamonds] If I could say a word about that...
No, you can keep them. You can keep as many as you can swallow.
