The King’s Man came out at the end of 2021, and people are already taking the movie apart. In the prequel to the Kingsman movies, the Duke of Oxford must race against time to stop history’s worst criminals as they plot a war that could kill millions.
While the action-comedy missed the over-the-top goofy elements that the other films were known for, it still delivered and ended up being a more than decent action flick. The fight scenes were great, the actors were sublime, and most importantly, the writing was spot-on. So without further ado, here are the lines that carried the movie to its inevitable success.
“Idiots And Fools There’s Nothing Left To Debate” - Oxford
Writers went all out when writing the character of Oxford, and seeing as who played the role, the lines don’t disappoint. The delivery is just as perfect as the writing. And a lot of the lines in The King’s Man are snarky, sharp, and blunt, as seen in this list as well.
“It’s Not Fighting, It’s Dying. Much Like This Conversation” - Oxford
Leave it to Oxford to get all the phlegmatic and sarcastic lines in the movie. The King’s Man does an amazing job combining very heavy-duty material with airy humor and dark sarcasm. And who better to deliver it than the beloved Brit?
“Protect Our Son. Protect Him From This World And Never Let Him See War Again” - Emily
The line that started it all, and carries possibly the most weight throughout The King’s Man. Before dying during a Boer sniper attack, Emily makes Orlando (known as “(Duke of)Oxford”) promise her to keep their son, Conrad safe.
This later comes back to haunt Oxford when his son, eager to fight, finds himself in conflict with his protective father. Throughout the film, this is a key sentence that guides characters and leads character development.
“Your Excessive Need To Protect Me Will Not Redeem Your Failure To Protect Mother” - Conrad
As mentioned before, the overprotective manner of Oxford comes back to bite him is the behind later on in the movie when he and his son go head-to-head, and this sharp sentence is said. The line carries a lot of weight and hits the audience in the stomach. Because even if it’s true, it’s not something people tend to say out loud. Leave it to an angry son to finish the job.
“Spoken Like A True Traitor” - Oxford
The phrase “spoken like a true…” is rarely heard in a negative context. This is why this line stands out and surprises the audience. These tiny changes and subtle remarks are what make the entire screenplay of The King’s Man fresh and enjoyable.
“I Come Here As A Measure Of Goodwill To Be Greeted By Bombs?” - Archduke Ferdinand
A powerful line that can be put into many other situations, Archduke Ferdinand has a few beautiful lines in the movie that leave the theater with viewers. One of the most memorable is this one.
How many times do people go through something like this, when they enter a situation cap in hand, and in return they find a hostile response that they weren’t ready for, and ultimately leads to their loss. It’s not an ideal situation but happens to the best of us, and even characters like Archduke Ferdinand.
“Every Man That I Killed, I Killed A Piece Of Myself” - Oxford
This quote is the one that most brings out the war element in The King’s Man, and it is delivered by Oxford. Some parts of the movie truly grab people and bring them back to the harsh realities of that era and war in general. Overall, the entire point of the story is what lies beneath a gentleman-like behavior, and sometimes it’s lifelong trauma brought home from the war.
“Reputation Is What People Think Of You. Character Is What You Are” - Oxford
While there are some amazing characters and lines in the movie, most of the best quotes are handed to Oxford. These lines are not only masterfully written into heavy scenes but also have great messages to take out of the theater.
Reputation is never a compass to follow. As the first half of the quote states: “Our enemies think of us like gentlemen.” But, reputation and character don’t go hand in hand. People can then determine what this phrase actually means.
“As Everyone Knows, The Tortoise Eventually Wins The Race” - Rasputin
Rasputin often speaks in limericks and mentions some well-known phrases but with an attitude. An attitude that is equal parts “calm gentleman”, and “man threatening your entire country and being”. And delivered by a large terrifying Russian just makes people laugh and fear for their lives all at once.
“The More You Fear Something, The More Likely It Is To Come True” - Polly
A humble yet very powerful character, Polly Wilkins is a pivotal force in the movie. And most of her lines are written in parallel to her character. They’re wise, to the point, and delivered in the perfect moment in the best way possible.
“The Truth Is, You’re Just A Boy. You Have No Idea What Men Are Capable Of” - Oxford
Another Oxford line, and a heavy one at that. The Kingsman movies are all about being a gentleman. Knowing one’s duty, and doing it with style and ease. But above all, these are men who have a mission.
And as the line says, a boy can’t even fathom the things these men go through. All people see are dignified gentlemen, but under the surface are exceptional burdens from traumas to horrifying mistakes that they won’t let show.
“Time To Dance On Your Graves” - Rasputin
Again, an undeniable death threat from a large Russian monster, but it just makes viewers smile inside while soiling their pants at the same time. It’s a good line, a great line even, but something about it, especially the way it’s delivered is just uncomfortably terrifying.
“I Don’t Accept Your Resignation, But I Will Accept A Cup Of Very Strong Tea” - Oxford
Is there a more stereotypically English phrase? The Kingsman series excels in making “subtle” jokes about English people, while at the same time honoring and highlighting their gentleman-like behavior which is why people adore the films.
Perhaps one of the most “English” actors is the talented Ralph Fiennes who perfected the role of Oxford. From his mouth, this line is just perfect from the strict start to the whimsical finish, encapsulating his character as a strict (and somewhat scary) person, but always a gentleman.
“Do You Really Think A Knife Can Beat A Bullet? This Is How People Are Fighting These Days” - Polly
Leave it to Polly to hit you with the harsh realities of life without adding any delicate humor to it to soften the punch. Sometimes a punch needs to be exactly that, and Polly is the perfect person to deliver such a line. The phrasing is beautiful, and Gemma Arterton can deliver a line like this so effortlessly.
“Shola, We’re Going Into The Cashmere Business” - Oxford
Snarky humor is what this action-comedy is all about, and delivered by Oxford, it just sounds… right. It’s still so beautiful how these gentlemen can joke around and make these comments while staying classy and stylish. “Shola, we’re going into the cashmere business”. So elegant.
“Let’s End This As Gentlemen! After All. Manners Maketh Man” - The Shepherd (Captain Morton)
The line that started it all, “manners maketh man” is the staple of the Kingsman franchise. It perfectly encapsulates the entire movie’s meaning: what makes a gentleman? And while according to this, all it takes is manners, viewers know all too well that it’s never that simple. Still, the line has become an epic one everyone knows today.
The King’s Man was released on December 22nd, 2021.
