Quotes

Others

Jay Leno: So it turns out there's life on other planets. Boy, this is really going to change the Miss Universe contest, you know what I mean? Alien: You're an interesting species, an interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we've found that makes the emptiness bearable is each other.

Dialogue

Young Ellie Arroway: Dad, do you think there's people on other planets? Ted Arroway: I don't know, Sparks. But I guess I'd say if it is just us... seems like an awful waste of space. Executive: We must confess that your proposal seems less like science and more like science fiction. Ellie Arroway: Science fiction. You're right, it's crazy. In fact, it's even worse than that, it's nuts. You wanna hear something really nutty? I heard of a couple guys who wanna build something called an airplane, you know you get people to go in, and fly around like birds, it's ridiculous, right? And what about breaking the sound barrier, or rockets to the moon? Atomic energy, or a mission to Mars? Science fiction, right? Look, all I'm asking is for you to just have the tiniest bit of vision. You know, to just sit back for one minute and look at the big picture. To take a chance on something that just might end up being the most profoundly impactful moment for humanity, for the history... of history.

Dialogue

Michael Kitz: Your having sent this announcement all over the world may well constitute a breach of national security. Ellie Arroway: This isn't a person-to-person call. You can't possibly think that a civilization sending this kind of message would intend it just for Americans. Kitz: I'm saying you might have consulted us; obviously, the contents of this message could be extremely sensitive. Arroway: You want to classify prime numbers now?

Dialogue

Palmer Joss: By doing this, you're willing to give your life, you're willing to die for it. Why? Ellie Arroway: For as long as I can remember, I've been searching for something, some reason why we're here. What are we doing here? Who are we? If this is a chance to find out even just a little part of that answer... I don't know, I think it's worth a human life. Don't you?

Dialogue

Rachel Constantine: [about Adolf Hitler] Twenty million people died defeating that son of a bitch, and he's our first ambassador to outer space? Ellie Arroway: Actually the Hitler broadcast from the... David Drumlin: [interrupting] '36 Olympics was the first television transmission of any power that went in to space. That they recorded it, and sent it back, is simply a way of saying "hello, we heard you." Michael Kitz: Or, "Sieg Heil, you're our kind of people."

Dialogue

Ellie Arroway: We've got a security problem here! Security Official: Are you sure? Arroway: Yeah. That man? [points to suspicious man on-screen] I know him! He's not supposed to be there! [puts on a headset with a microphone attached to it; to technician] Get me Drumlin on a secure loop please. [speaking to David Drumlin] David, can you hear me? David Drumlin: Yeah, I hear. Arroway: We have a security breach.

Dialogue

Senator: Dr. Arroway, You come to us with no evidence, no record... no artifacts. Only a story that, to put it mildly, strains credibility. Over half a trillion dollars were spent. Dozens of lives were lost. Are you really gonna sit there and tell us we should just take this all... on faith? Michael Kitz: Please answer the question, doctor. Ellie Arroway: Is it possible that it didn't happen? Yes... As a scientist, I must concede that. I must volunteer that. Kitz: Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You admit you have absolutely no physical evidence to back up your story? Arroway: Yes. Kitz: You admit that you very well may have hallucinated this whole thing? Arroway: Yes Kitz: You admit that if you were in our position... you would respond with exactly the same degree of incredulity and skepticism? Arroway: Yes. Kitz: [raises voice] Then why don't you simply withdraw your testimony and admit that this journey to the center of the galaxy, IN FACT, NEVER TOOK PLACE!!?? Arroway: Bec

Dialogue

Rachel Constantine: I assume you read the confidential findings report from the investigating committee. Michael Kitz: I flipped through it. Constantine: I was especially interested in the section on Arroway's video unit. The one that recorded the static? Kitz: Continue. Constantine: The fact that it recorded static isn't what interests me. Kitz: [pauses] Continue... Constantine: What interests me is that it recorded approximately 18 hours of it. Kitz: That is interesting, isn't it?