Father Barry Isn't it simple as one, two, three? One, the working conditions are bad. Two, they're bad because the mob does the hiring. And three, the only way we can break the mob is to stop letting them get away with murder.
2nd most-quoted character in On the Waterfront (1954): in 9 of its 19 quotes
Most scenes with: Terry Malloy (2)
There's one thing we've got in this country and that's ways of fightin' back. Gettin' the facts to the public. Testifyin' for what you know is right against what you know is wrong. Now what's ratting to them is telling the truth for you. Now can't you see that? Can't you see that?
More lines from Father Barry
6 quotes Father Barry Father Barry to the dockworkers
Father Barry Some people think the Crucifixion only took place on Calvary. They better wise up! Taking Joey Doyle's life to stop him from testifying is a crucifixion. And dropping a sling on Kayo Dugan because he was ready to spill his guts tomorrow, that's a crucifixion. And every time the Mob puts the pressure on a good man, tries to stop him from doing his duty as a citizen, it's a crucifixion. And anybody who sits around and lets it happen, keeps silent about something he knows that happened, shares the guilt of it just as much as the Roman soldier who pierced the flesh of our Lord to see if he was dead...Boys, this is my church! And if you don't think Christ is down here on the waterfront, you've got another guess coming!
Father Barry Every morning when the hiring boss blows his whistle, Jesus stands alongside you in the shape-up. He sees why some of you get picked and some of you get passed over. He sees the family men worrying about getting the rent and getting food in the house for the wife and the kids. He sees you selling your souls to the mob for a day's pay...And what does Christ think of the easy-money boys who do none of the work and take all of the gravy? And how does he feel about the fellows who wear hundred-and-fifty dollar suits and diamond rings, on your union dues and your kickback money? And how does He, who spoke up without fear against every evil, feel about your silence? You want to know what's wrong with our waterfront? It's the love of a lousy buck. It's making the love of the lousy buck - the cushy job - more important than the love of man! It's forgettin' that every fellow down here is your brother in Christ! But remember, Christ is always with you - Christ is in the shape up. He's in the hatch. He's in the union hall. He's kneeling right here beside Dugan. And He's saying with all of you, if you do it to the least of mine, you do it to me! And what they did to Joey, and what they did to Dugan, they're doing to you. And you. You. ALL OF YOU. And only you, only you with God's help, have the power to knock 'em out for good.
Father Barry You'd better get rid of that gun, unless you haven't got the guts. And if you don't, you'd better hang on to it!
Father Barry to Terry
Scenes with Father Barry
2 scenes
If I spill, my life ain't worth a nickel.
Father Barry And how much is your soul worth if you don't?
Dock workers
[after Terry is badly beaten by Johnny Friendly and his goons]
How about Terry? He don't work, we don't work.
Johnny Friendly Work! He can't even walk!
Longshoreman
If Terry walks in, we walk in with him. [To Father Barry] They're waitin' for him to walk in.
Father Barry [to Terry]
Do you hear that, Terry?...You lost a battle, but you have a chance to win the war....Can you walk?...Just finish what you started. You can!
Get me on my feet.
Father Barry [Father Barry and Edie help Terry stand up]
How're you doing?
Am I on my feet?
Johnny Friendly [Terry staggers through past Friendly; the longshoremen follow]
Where you guys going? Wait a minute! I'll remember this! I'll remember every one of you! I'll be back! Don't you forget that! I'll be back!
