Before I am hanged, I would like to say— [executioner places hood over his head]
Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn
Jeff Bridges · 10 quotes
Mattie Ross
Hailee Steinfeld · 9 quotes
LaBoeuf
Matt Damon · 4 quotes
Col. Stonehill
Dakin Matthews · 3 quotes
Condemned men
3 quotes
Most scenes together: Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn & Mattie Ross (2), Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn & LaBoeuf (2), Mattie Ross & LaBoeuf (2)
True Grit quotes
Page 1 of 2
Repentant condemned man
[sobbing]
Ladies and gentlemen, beware, and train up your children in the way that they should go. You see what has become of me because of drink. I killed a man in a trifling quarrel over a pocket knife! If I had received good instruction as a child … I would be with my wife and children today. I do not know what is to become of them, but I hope and pray that you will not slight them and compel them to go into the low company!
Unrepentant condemed man
Well, I kilt the wrong man, is the which of why I'm here. Had I kilt the man I meant to, I don't believe I'd have been convicted. I see men out in that crowd that's worse than me. [to executioner] Okay.
Defense Lawyer
Mister Cogburn, in your four years as US Marshal, how many men have you shot?
Shot? Or killed?
Defense Lawyer
Let us restrict it to killed, so we may have a manageable figure!
I was within three hundred yards of Chelmsford once. The closest I have been. With a Sharp's carbine that is within range, but I was mounted and had the choice of firing off-hand or dismounting to shoot from rest, which would allow Chelmsford to augment the distance. I fired mounted...and fired wide.
You cannot hit a man three hundred yards if your gun was resting on Gibraltar.
The Sharp's carbine is an instrument of uncanny power and precision.
Oh, I've no doubt that the gun is sound.
I will pay two hundred and twenty-five dollars and keep the grey horse. I don't want the ponies.
I cannot accept that. There will be no settlement after I leave this office. It will go to Law.
[interjecting]
Alright, this is my last offer: two hundred and fifty dollars; for that, I get the release previously discussed and I keep your father's saddle. The grey horse is not yours to sell!
The saddle is not for sale, I will keep it. Lawyer Dagget will prove ownership of the grey horse, he will come after you with a writ of replevin.
I've just come from Yell County.
We have no rodeo clowns in Yell County.
A saucy line will not get you far with me.
You are getting ready to show your ignorance now, Cogburn. I don't mind a little personal chaffing but I won't hear anything against the Ranger troop from a man like you.
How long have you boys been mounted on sheep down there?
My white Appaloosa will be galloping when that big American stud of yours is winded and collapsed. Now make another joke about it. You are only trying to put on a show for this girl Mattie with what you must think is a keen tongue.
This is like women talking.
Yes, that is the way! Make me out foolish in this girl's eyes.
I think she has got you pretty well figured.
You give out very little sugar with your pronouncements. While I sat there watchin' I gave some thought to stealin' a kiss... though you are very young, and sick... and unattractive to boot. But now I have a mind to give you five or six good licks with my belt.
One would be just as unpleasant as the other.
Lucky Ned Pepper What is your intention, Rooster? You think one on four is a dogfall?
I mean to kill you in one minute, Ned. Or see you hanged in Fort Smith at Judge Parker's convenience. Which will you have?
Lucky Ned Pepper I call that bold talk for a one-eyed fat man!
Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!
If I had killed Chaney, I would not be in this fix, but my gun misfired.
Lucky Ned Pepper [Chuckling]
They will do it. It will embarrass you every time. Most girls like to play pretties, but you like guns, do you?
I do not care a thing about guns; if I did, I would have one that worked.
Prosecutor
[questioning Cogburn about the goings on with the Wharton family]
What did you do then?
Well, I backed away from the axe and tried to talk some sense into him [Aaron Wharton]. While this is going on, C.C., he edges over to the wash pot there behind the steam and picks up the shotgun. Potter seen him, but it was too late. C.C. Wharton pulled out on Potter with one barrel and turned to do the same for me and I shot him - the old man raised the axe, and I shot him - Otis lit out and I shot him. [thoughtful pause] C.C. Wharton and Aaron Wharton were dead when they hit the ground, Otis was just winged.
Defense Lawyer
[a few minutes later; Cogburn is being cross-examined]
I believe you testified you backed away from Aaron Wharton.
That's right.
Defense Lawyer
Which direction were you going?
I always go backwards when I'm backing up.
The jakes is occupied.
I know it is occupied, Mr. Cogburn. As I said, I have business with you.
I have prior business.
You have been at it for quite some time, Mr. Cogburn.
There is no clock on my business! To hell with you! How did you stalk me here?
The sheriff told me to look in the saloon. In the saloon they referred me here. We must talk.
Women ain't allowed in the saloon!
I was not there as a customer. I am fourteen years old.
We'll sleep here and follow in the morning.
But we promised to bury the poor soul inside!
Ground's too hard. Them men wanted a decent burial, they should have got themselves killed in summer.
[Final voice-over, as an adult, after learning of Rooster's death]
I had the body removed to our plot, and I have visited it over the years. No doubt people talk about that. They say, "Well, she hardly knew the man. Isn't she a cranky old maid?" It is true, I have not married. I never had time to fool with it. I heard nothing more of the Texas officer LaBoeuf. If he is yet alive, I would be pleased to hear from him. I judge he would be in his seventies now, and nearer eighty than seventy. I expect some of the starch has gone out of that cowlick. Time just gets away from us.