Brassed Off (1996)

Pete Postlethwaite: Danny

Photos 

Quotes 

• Danny : This band behind me'll tell you that that trophy means more to me than owt else in the whole world. But they'd be wrong! Truth is, I THOUGHT it mattered. I thought that MUSIC mattered. But does it bollocks? Not compared to how people matter. Us winning this trophy won't mean bugger-all to most people. But us *refusing* it - like what we're going to do now - well, then it becomes news, doesn't it?

  [flurry of press camera shutters] 

  Danny : You see what I mean. That way, I'll not just be talking to myself, will I? Because over the last ten years, this bloody government has systematically destroyed an entire industry. OUR industry. And not just our industry - our communities, our homes, our lives. All in the name of "progress". And for a few lousy bob. I'll tell you something else you might not know, as well. A fortnight ago, this band's pit were closed - another thousand men lost their jobs. And that's not all they lost. Most of them lost the will to win a while ago. A few of them even lost the will to fight. But when it comes to losing the will to live, to breathe, the point is - if this lot were seals or whales, you'd all be up in bloody arms. But they're not, are they, no, no they're not. They're just ordinary common-or-garden honest, decent human beings. And not one of them with an ounce of bloody hope left. Oh aye, they can knock out a bloody good tune. But what the fuck does that matter?

  [gasps emotionally, close to tears] 

  Danny : And now I'm going to take my boys out onto the town. Thank you.

  [rapturous applause and standing ovation] 

• Danny : The truth is, I thought it mattered - I thought that music mattered. But does it bollocks? Not compared to how people matter.

• Phil : I love the band - we all do - but there's other things in life, you know, that's more important.

  Danny : Not in mine there isn't.

• [last lines] 

  Danny : All right then, lads and lasses.

  [ironically] 

  Danny : Land of Hope and bloody Glory, eh?

• [Sandra is throwing plates after Phil and Danny] 

  Danny : She's a bit careless with the crockery, your Sandra!

• [at a rehearsal, the band finish playing The Helston Floral Dance, apparently flawlessly] 

  Danny : Crap! That's what that was! A load of bloody crap.

• Harry : Blimey, Danny, you've been on 'oliday or wha'?

  Danny : Howdayamean?

  Harry : Well, it may've escaped your notice like the pit's under threat.

  Danny : Aye. Wha'sat got'do wi'this?

  Harry : Oh my. You're right. Not alot.

• Danny : [Advertisement on the back of the band bus]  ARKWRIGHT TRAVEL - New York, London, Paris & Grimley - But mainly GRIMLEY

• Danny : I'll have you know, that girl blows a flugel like a dream.

  Vera : Ohhh, Danny Ormondroyd. At your age.

  [Ida laughs as they climb on the bus] 

  Danny : [looking puzzled]  What?