The Mummy is a 1999 classic, a loosely-based remake of the 1932 original. The film was more comedic than horrifying, given its wide range of memorable and funny characters, and it's long been a fan favorite. Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Oded Fehr, and Arnold Vosloo made a dynamic cast that shared strong chemistry with one another, making the film that much better. From its action sequences, to its witty dialogue and unforgettable characters, the film has aged well since its release 21 years ago. That said, here are the 10 best quotes from The Mummy.
"My Girl, When Ramses Destroyed Syria, That Was An Accident. You Are A Catastrophe!"
Poor Evelyn. She was only trying to place the books in their correct places in the library. Instead, she knocked down several bookcases and created an absolute mess. She's a little clumsy, but this quote from Dr. Bey upon finding the place a mess is a bit harsh. Evelyn or someone else could've been hurt, after all. Cleaning up a library may take time but it's not the worst-case scenario. Still, it's one of the film's most memorable quotes, and quite a way to portray Evelyn as a "catastrophe."
"Any Last Requests, Pig?" "Yeah. Loosen The Knot And Let Me Go."
When Evelyn and Jonathan go to meet Rick, he's in prison. He is set to be hanged because apparently he had a "very good time," and just prior to his hanging, Rick's request is to be let go. As far as requests go, that's the best one to ask for, and we love Rick's directness.
Unfortunately for Rick, all it earns him is a slap on the head from the hangman and a brief hanging before Evelyn negotiates with the prison warden and saves Rick's life. She and Rick truly were meant for each other.
"I Only Gamble With My Life, Never My Money."
Rick certainly gambles his life alright, more often than not. Serving in the French Foreign Legion, alongside whatever he did to land in the harsh prison, was enough. Add in the battle with Imhotep and all the risky things he did there, gambling his life was an understatement. Rick's pretty lucky, coming out unscathed the way he did, and with Evelyn and riches to spare. Perhaps he should consider at least investing in some stocks or buying a lottery ticket. It'd be safer, at least.
"Patience Is A Virtue." "Not Right Now It Isn't."
Patience is a virtue, but when it comes to taking out a vicious and deadly mummy, that virtue doesn't really count. Evelyn's busy trying to locate the golden book, but Rick has a point, especially given that during the time Evelyn states 'patience is a virtue', they really don't have time or patience to waste.
The locals are streaming in, covered in boils and sores courtesy of one of the plagues inflicted by Imhotep, along with Imhotep himself headed their way. Like Rick, we wouldn't be feeling too patient, either.
"Know This: This Creature Is The Bringer Of Death. He Will Never Eat, He Will Never Sleep, And He Will Never Stop."
Despite Rick's insistence that he took care of Imhotep (he shot him on the way out), this is Ardeth Bay's response. Given he's a Medjai and has been tasked with preventing the creature from coming back to life, he knows what he's talking about. Ardeth didn't hold back on his warning; obviously, there's a reason why. Until he was stopped, the creature did everything Ardeth said it would, making this quote sound more like an ominous prophecy than a warning.
"It's A Bird, A Stork!"
Jonathan isn't always the brightest. He's asking Evelyn what a symbol means while she's trying to fight off Anck-Su-Namun. He's oblivious to his surroundings, carrying on a conversation with his sister and taking his time.
He has funny quotes throughout the movie, but this one is particularly memorable because it's just so Jonathan that audiences have to laugh. Plus, this same gag was used in the 2001 sequel, only Rick and Evelyn's son was asking Jonathan what it meant in that instance.
"I Wouldn't Say That."
In the film's ending, Rick, Evelyn, and Jonathan have defeated Imhotep, essentially saved the world and are preparing to ride off into the sunset on camelback. As Jonathan complains about going home empty-handed, the above quote is Rick's response. The way in which he says it, accompanied by the look and kiss he shares with Evelyn, shows audiences that they're coming out of near-death with everything they need: true love. And for Jonathan, a few riches stowed away on the camels, courtesy of Beni.
"O'Connell! Hey, O'Connell! It Looks To Me Like I've Got All The Horses!" "Hey, Beni! Looks To Me Like You're On The Wrong Side Of The River!"
One of the best things about The Mummy is the constant bickering between Rick and Beni. The two used to serve in the French Foreign Legion together, but as we see at the beginning of the film, there's a reason why Rick hates Beni: he basically left him for dead. Rick calls Beni out on his crap and doesn't miss an opportunity to inflict some kind of pain upon him or to throw a barbed insult his way.
Meanwhile, Beni enjoys making Rick's life miserable. Despite all that, Rick does try to help Beni as they're escaping Hamunaptra but is too late and Beni is trapped. We're sorry Beni didn't make it, because we'd have loved to see more of their bickering in the second film.
"Death Is Only The Beginning."
This simple sentence carries two meanings. Imhotep scratches it into his sarcophagus, and Evelyn deciphers it upon finding him. Later, Evelyn says it herself once they've defeated Imhotep. It was ominous when Imhotep wrote it, but final when Evelyn said it, ending a reign of terror--at least until the 2001 sequel. Death is only the beginning for Imhotep, but in this case, it also means his ending, especially where Rick, Evelyn, and Jonathan are concerned.
"Look, I...I May Not Be An Explorer, Or An Adventurer, Or A Treasure-Seeker, Or A Gunfighter, Mr. O'Connell, But I Am Proud Of What I Am." "And What Is That?" "I...Am A Librarian."
Evelyn is intelligent and beautiful, but she's also tough and brave in her own right. She may have been the one who accidentally unleashed Imhotep, but she's also the only one that wants to take responsibility for her tragic mistake from moment one, electing to stay behind to put Imhotep back where he came from, even as Rick urges her to leave.
She's a fighter and she's willing to take on the terrible burden of defeating Imhotep, despite the obvious mortal danger and his infatuation with her. Plus, Rick and Jonathan were there alongside her when she needed them the most. When all is said and done, we'd want her in a mummy battle.