Quotes
-
David Shepherd : [watching a falsified videotape suggesting his treason] Sir, that's not me! This isn't real. This was set up! Sir, that's not me - you have to believe me.
King Silas Benjamin : Belief may be enough in the house of God; this court needs proof.
David Shepherd : ...I serve the king; that is all I am guilty of.
-
King Silas Benjamin : Your outburst in court - I don't think it'll help your case.
David Shepherd : My case is that I'm innocent. You called me son once; I've only ever acted to earn that name.
King Silas Benjamin : I recall learning of a relationship later than I was due.
David Shepherd : That is my only sin to account for; that was against you as a father to Michelle, not to the state.
King Silas Benjamin : You betrayed my trust once; it left a mark. If there's anything else that you have done to hurt this country or me, deliberately or not, now is the time to tell me.
David Shepherd : I swear - if I had, I would confess my guilt, give myself up to your mercy.
King Silas Benjamin : Yeah... yeah, I believe you would.
-
Michelle Benjamin : They'll see that their evidence was tampered with, their witness corrupt; my father'll *have* to rule you innocent.
David Shepherd : Yeah, unless he doesn't want to.
Michelle Benjamin : Of course he wants to - you're his adviser, his friend.
David Shepherd : That was before he knew about us.
Michelle Benjamin : What, you think he'd try you for treason because his daughter fell in love with you?
David Shepherd : I think... maybe he was afraid his country would.
Michelle Benjamin : You know, one of the things that I've always loved about you is how much you believe... I *will* take the stand, I *will* defend you, and my father will be glad. If you believe in me, believe in him.
-
[David had been abducted from his prison cell, and suddenly finds himself deposited in a field where Rev. Samuels waits]
David Shepherd : ...I don't understand.
Rev. Ephram Samuels : It's all been arranged; a plane is waiting. We have friends in other countries, until it's safe for you.
David Shepherd : You want me to run?
William Cross : [suddenly speaking from his car] Only if you want to live. Your death is a foregone conclusion; Silas is only waiting to sell the last few believers on his version of your truth.
Rev. Ephram Samuels : Which is why we must protect you, David.
William Cross : Silas won't be around for long - we need to keep you safe, so he doesn't kill you first.
David Shepherd : Why are you so sure he won't be around for long?
William Cross : [getting out of his car, he approaches David] The problem with great men is they don't always die at their best; some live to make mistakes which outlive their accomplishments.
Rev. Ephram Samuels : Come on, David.
David Shepherd : [pulling away from Rev. Samuels] No... If I go with you, everything Silas says about me is true.
William Cross : You're worried about his good opinion of you?
David Shepherd : I'm worried about my own... I'm no traitor.
William Cross : You'd rather die than be misperceived? Careful, David; you never wanna be *too* good.
William Cross : [to his men] ... You heard him; rush the man back to his execution.
Rev. Ephram Samuels : ...David...
David Shepherd : You, of all...
David Shepherd : [he removes the wristwatch which Rev. Samuels gave him after anointing him, and returns it] If I *do* die, it shouldn't be while wearing this.
-
Jack Benjamin : You demanded my presence; fine. Begging gets redundant after the first snot bubble, so let's try to do this quick.
David Shepherd : ...There's a plot against your father... I think they mean to kill him, replace him as king.
Jack Benjamin : You call me here to... make up some stories about what? Some coup? You think that's gonna save you? You should've stuck to begging; it has more dignity.
David Shepherd : It's your uncle... and Reverend Samuels.
Jack Benjamin : ...The reverend - really? And what do they want from you? You wanna be their king?
David Shepherd : If I did... easier for you to attack me when you know I've done no wrong. You need to warn Silas.
Jack Benjamin : ...You sit here in a cell, thinking your voice'll save a man who's gonna let you hang? You think you're *that* good?
David Shepherd : He won't listen to me, but he'll listen to you.
Jack Benjamin : He's not your father; he's mine.
David Shepherd : He's still my king.
Jack Benjamin : ...Even now?
David Shepherd : I'm just doing what you'd do, Jack... You should be careful, too.
-
David Shepherd : I have only ever tried to embody what is good about this nation. My family has sacrificed life, and life again to keep alive the idea of a home as spoken by our king. I am a faithful servant to this country, this court... this man.
-
King Silas Benjamin : Betrayal has its own particular sting. Unfortunately, one gets accustomed.
David Shepherd : I have never betrayed you... though I've been given the opportunity. There *are* those who work against you.
King Silas Benjamin : Oh, I know full well the dealings of William Cross. There's nothing whispered in this kingdom I'm not privy to. There are many traitors, and though you're not complicit in their dark work, you're not innocent. Even my daughter's lost faith in David Shepherd.
David Shepherd : I *am* innocent.
King Silas Benjamin : Are you?
David Shepherd : I am.
King Silas Benjamin : Even if you are, of the charges brought against you, hasn't the effect of you been the same?... King, all these years - authority unquestioned. You think there's a coincidence they conspire against me now? A monarchy stands on the belief in the singularity of its sovereign, all vectors pointed here... and then along came you. Oh, and they looked at you, and they thought how they might improve upon me... replaceable. You thought to inspire, but you inspired treason.
David Shepherd : I... I only ever meant to serve you. I never meant to hurt you.
King Silas Benjamin : Oh, I know that; but don't you see now that you *have*? You've weakened the country.
David Shepherd : What can I do?
King Silas Benjamin : You swore that if you ever hurt me or this country, you'd admit guilt and fall upon my mercy - did you not?
David Shepherd : I did.
King Silas Benjamin : Then keep your word.
-
King Silas Benjamin : Captain David Shepherd - you have stood before this court protesting your innocence. Now, having heard the weight of evidence against you, and knowing the penalty of guilt... how do you plead?
David Shepherd : ...Guilty.
[gasps ripple through the court]
David Shepherd : I stand before you, prepared to elaborate on my crime.
Jack Benjamin : Stop talking, David.
King Silas Benjamin : [startled] You're out of order, major.
David Shepherd : I'm guilty.
Jack Benjamin : No, he's not!
King Silas Benjamin : The prosecution will stand down...
Jack Benjamin : I can't go along with this anymore; this was all a set-up. David Shepherd was framed. He's not a traitor - I am; Silas is.
King Silas Benjamin : Silence!
Jack Benjamin : There's been silence for too long. I am guilty - but not more so than my father, who colluded to have David found a traitor, when he is anything but.
King Silas Benjamin : Shut up!
Jack Benjamin : King Silas framed this entire case, coerced witnesses, faked evidence, convinced me to lie against David. But I see now that David is a better man than the rest of us - innocent, deserving respect.
King Silas Benjamin : What do you know about respect? You never had it, you never give it!
Jack Benjamin : He's innocent; it's over!
King Silas Benjamin : He's admitted guilt!
Jack Benjamin : You're no king.
King Silas Benjamin : And you're no prince, you faggot!... Guards - arrest Major Benjamin now! David Shepherd - you are guilty of treason! Take him away - take him away!
David Shepherd : You lied - to everyone.
King Silas Benjamin : You're a traitor - you're both traitors; you're all traitors!
