Speech in 'Scent of a Woman

Speech in 'Scent of a Woman'

If you are following this blog, and I hope you are, three weeks prior, I wrote about a 'well given speech' by Mr Michael Douglas, in the movie, 'Wall street'.  The title of this blog is 'Greed and Gordon Gekko'.  Please look for this 'write-up', if you have not read it, as I think I did a good job at analyzing the character.  

Today, I'd like to bring to your attention, another inspirational speech given in a movie.   

The movie is titled 'Scent of a Woman' and it is staring Mr Al Pacino.   

And like Mr Michael Douglas, Mr Al Pacino, also won an Oscar for his portrayal of a 'blind general'.  I believe they both won the Oscar for not only doing a very good job in acting, but giving a rather good speech, 'sealed the deal', as one would say.  

For those who have not seen the movie, I do recommend it, and I would like to describe the lead-up to the speech-scene now. 

Mr Trask is the president of the prestigious school and he is leading  an assembly, which is conducted in front of the entire attendees of the school.  The students, teachers and parents are gathered in the gymnasium/auditorium, while Mr Trask is questioning a student, who is being accused of doing something wrong. 

However, this student, a Mr Charlie Sims, who has not committed a crime, but his best friends have, will not 'rat-out' his friends, therefore, chooses to remain silent.   

At the height of the 'questioning', the General Mr Slade (Al Pacino), walks into the gymnasium.   

Now, let us read, word for word the confrontational argument between the President and the General.  And finally, the speech by Mr Al Pacino.  

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President Trask: Mr. Sims, you are a cover-up artist and you are a liar.

General Slade: But not a snitch.

President Trask: Excuse me?

General Slade: No, I don't think I will.

President Trask: Mr. Slade.

General Slade: This is such a crock of shit.

President Trask: Please watch your language, Mr. Slade.  You are in the Baird School not a barracks.  Mr. Sims, I will give you one final opportunity to speak up.

General Slade: Mr. Sims doesn't want it.  He doesn't need to labeled: "Still worthy of being a 'Baird Man.'" What the hell is that? What is your motto here? "Boys, inform on your classmates, save your hide", anything short of that we're gonna burn you at the stake? Well, gentlemen, when the shit hits the fan some guys run and some guys stay.  Here's Charlie facing the fire; and there's George hiding in big Daddy's pocket.  And what are you doing? You're gonna reward George and destroy Charlie.

President Trask: Are you finished, Mr. Slade?

General Slade: No, I'm just getting warmed up.  I don't know who went to this place, William Howard Taft, William Jennings Bryan, William Tell, whoever.  Their spirit is dead, if they ever had one, it's gone.  You're building a rat ship here.  A vessel for sea going snitches.  And if you think your preparing these minnows for manhood you better think again.  Because I say you are killing the very spirit this institution proclaims it instills!  What a sham.  What kind of a show are you guys putting on here today.  I mean, the only class in this act is sitting next to me.  And I'm here to tell ya this boy's soul is intact.  It's non-negotiable.  You know how I know?  Someone here, and I'm not gonna say who, offered to buy it.  Only Charlie here wasn't selling. 

President Trask: Sir, you are out of order!

General Slade: Outta order?  I'll show you outta order!  You don't know what outta order is, Mr. Trask!  I'd show you but I'm too old; I'm too tired; I'm too fucking blind.  If I were the man I was five years ago I'd take a FLAME-THROWER to this place! Outta order.  Who the hell you think you're talking to? I've been around, you know?  There was a time I could see.  And I have seen boys like these, younger than these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. But there isn't nothing like the sight of an amputated spirit; there is no prosthetic for that.  You think you're merely sending this splendid foot-soldier back home to Oregon with his tail between his legs, but I say you are executing his SOUL!! And why?! Because he's not a Baird man! Baird men, ya hurt this boy, you're going to be Baird Bums, the lot of ya.  And Harry, Jimmy, Trent, wherever you are out there, FUCK YOU, too!

President Trask: Stand down, Mr. Slade!

General Slade: I'm not finished! As I came in here, I heard those words, "cradle of leadership." Well, when the bow breaks, the cradle will fall.  And it has fallen here; it has fallen.  Makers of men; creators of leaders; be careful what kind of leaders you're producing here.  I don't know if Charlie's silence here today is right or wrong.

I'm not a judge or jury.  But I can tell you this: he won't sell anybody out to buy his future!! And that, my friends, is called integrity! That's called courage! Now that's the stuff leaders should be made of.  Now I have come to the crossroads in my life.  I always knew what the right path was.  Without exception, I knew.  But I never took it.  You know why? It was too damn hard.  Now here's Charlie.  He's come to the crossroads.  He has chosen a path. It's the right path.  It's a path made of principle, that leads to character. Let him continue on his journey.

You hold this boy's future in your hands, committee.  It's a valuable future.  Believe me.  Don't destroy it! Protect it.  Embrace it.  It's gonna make ya proud one day, I promise.

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An Impressive speech, right?