Gone with the Wind (1939)

Thomas Mitchell: Gerald O'Hara

Photos 

Quotes 

• Gerald O'Hara : Do you mean to tell me, Katie Scarlett O'Hara, that Tara, that land doesn't mean anything to you? Why, land is the only thing in the world worth workin' for, worth fightin' for, worth dyin' for, because it's the only thing that lasts.

• Gerald O'Hara : [the men are discussing the prospect of going to war with the North]  And what does the captain of our troops say?

  Ashley : Well, gentlemen, if Georgia fights, I go with her. But like my father I hope that the Yankees let us leave the Union in peace.

  Man : But Ashley, Ashley, they've insulted us!

  Charles Hamilton : You can't mean you don't want war!

  Ashley : Most of the miseries of the world were caused by wars. And when the wars were over, no one ever knew what they were about.

  Gerald O'Hara : [the other men protest]  Now gentlemen, Mr. Butler has been up North I hear. Don't you agree with us, Mr. Butler?

  Rhett Butler : I think it's hard winning a war with words, gentlemen.

  Charles Hamilton : What do you mean, sir?

  Rhett Butler : I mean, Mr. Hamilton, there's not a cannon factory in the whole South.

  Man : What difference does that make, sir, to a gentleman?

  Rhett Butler : I'm afraid it's going to make a great deal of difference to a great many gentlemen, sir.

  Charles Hamilton : Are you hinting, Mr. Butler, that the Yankees can lick us?

  Rhett Butler : No, I'm not hinting. I'm saying very plainly that the Yankees are better equipped than we. They've got factories, shipyards, coalmines... and a fleet to bottle up our harbors and starve us to death. All we've got is cotton, and slaves and... arrogance.

  Man : That's treacherous!

  Charles Hamilton : I refuse to listen to any renegade talk!

  Rhett Butler : Well, I'm sorry if the truth offends you.

  Charles Hamilton : Apologies aren't enough sir. I hear you were turned out of West Point, Mr. Rhett Butler. And that you aren't received in a decent family in Charleston. Not even your own.

  Rhett Butler : I apologize again for all my shortcomings. Mr. Wilkes, Perhaps you won't mind if I walk about and look over your place. I seem to be spoiling everybody's brandy and cigars and... dreams of victory.

• Gerald O'Hara : It will come to you, this love of the land. There's no gettin' away from it if you're Irish.

• Ellen - His Wife : Mr. O'Hara? You must dismiss Jonas Wilkerson.

  Gerald O'Hara : Dismiss him, Mrs. O'Hara? He's the best overseer in the county.

  Ellen - His Wife : He must go tomorrow morning, first thing.

  Gerald O'Hara : But...

  [Ellen whispers in his ear] 

  Gerald O'Hara : No!

  Ellen - His Wife : Yes.

  Gerald O'Hara : [laughing]  The Yankee Wilkerson and the white-trash Slattery girl?

  Ellen - His Wife : We'll discuss it later, Mr. O'Hara.

  Gerald O'Hara : Yes, Mrs. O'Hara.