MovieChat Forums > Hang 'Em High (1968) Discussion > Francis Elroy Duffy Speech (My Favorite ...

Francis Elroy Duffy Speech (My Favorite Scene)

posted 20 years ago by johndeansmith
13 replies | jump to latest

I could not find this text anywhere, so I had to personally transcribe it. I now post it here for your pleasure and for the ages. Enjoy.

"Now Preacher? (You may say your peace now.) You're now looking, for the last time, at the mortal body of Francis Elroy Duffy, born to John and Edna Duffy, good, God-fearing folk. Who raised me up to be a good man and a good Christian, and I was a good Christian, a good husband to my beloved wife, good father to my children, who I leave behind, hoping that they, and all you, will learn this here lesson which I leave you with. When you take the devil into your mouth, you're doomed! For he is lying there in wait for you inside that bottle of whiskey. Waiting for you to take him into your mouth. Waiting to get down into your guts where he can do his devil's work. Liquor is the most foul, evil thing in this here world. It destroyed good men like myself. It'll destroy you too. Beer is not much better - it's slower, cheaper. So take these words of advice. And remember, you heard them from a poor sinner, got no more cause to lie, 'cause he's going to meet his Maker. Now he's ready. Well that's all I've got to say." - Francis Elroy Duffy, "Hang 'Em High"

[–] Boy_with_no_name 20 years ago

boy! you really liked the scene and the words of the preacher but my favourite scene is when Jed Cooper tells the sherif he's gonna take the prisoner alone to his town and is gonna have his steak first. Then he walks to a bar, sees his saddle on a horse , goes in and shoots one of the assholes who hung him.
The music, Clint's different look from The Man With No Name and the camera shot's make it quite a good one.

I also like the romantic picnic scene.

"I guess my life's not worth two kisses"

[–] RichN36 20 years ago

They are Bouth great Scenes but you left out the best part of the Bar Room Scene. After he shoots the Guy who Tried to hang Him. He starts to walk out of the Bar and when the Marshal ask Clint/Cooper if he is going to take the Prisoner Now Cooper looks at Him and Says "No I still haven't had my Steak."

I liked this Movie as well Just a Classic as are all Clints Old West Movies.

[–] anominous8 19 years ago

that line made me laugh when i saw the film last night, RichN36.

[–] Conan_The_Barbarian 19 years ago

Personally my favourite scenes is when Captain Wilson (Ed Begley) gives his reflection speech after they failed to bribe Cooper.

"Alright. Now thats three mistakes we've made. The money, we hung an innocent man and we didn't finish the job. We can't undo the first two...but we can still finish the job."

Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!

[–] Redeemer123 18 years ago

I enjoyed that scene with Reno(the bum had clints saddle).You are right.The movie,clints look,and the camera make it the best scene.

[–] joeparkson 11 years ago

I found Duffy's speech memorable for two reasons; we rarely hear a killer express regret either in the movies or in real life.

Also, it doesn't seem like anyone's interested; they just want to get on with it.

Absurdity: A Statement or belief inconsistent with my opinion.

[–] gecko-23rd 11 years ago

Hello joeparkson,

To great points made!

...And thus, perhaps the fils title...

Best Rgards,

Paul Vissing

[–] gecko-23rd 11 years ago

Appolgies for the misspellings/letter omissions

gecko

[–] kurt7825 9 years ago

my favorite scene to

[–] strntz 9 years ago

When you take the devil into your mouth, you're doomed!

Hey! I love an occasional ice cold beer at a ballgame (or when tarring the prison roof) or a nice Chianti with a cobb salad. No devil that I ever saw...

I also love this scene. The character Duffy seems remorseful, but I also think he's looking for sympathy in that speech, and, as someone above pointed out, got little sympathy or interest for that matter from the crowd.

As far as the content of his speech, it always reminded me of what my dad used to say about drunks: you can tell what a person is truly like down deep when they're drinking. In other words, a mean drunk is not mean because he's drunk, but it's because that's his nature unleashed. The devil comes from within, not from the bottle.

Oh, btw, his full speech is here, you didn't need to type it out: http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0397617/quotes

It is bad to drink Jobus rum. Very bad.

[–] Sidewindr 9 years ago

That's right, Duffy was trying to blame his sins on the drink and still would not own up and accept responsibility for his actions. Much like many religious fanatics trying to blame the devil for everything without having to accept their own shortcomings. The drink did not make him do anything, you hit the nail on the head about it revealing ones true repressed nature.

[–] johndeansmith 8 years ago

Oh, btw, his full speech is here, you didn't need to type it out: http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0397617/quotes

yeah how do you think it got there? i'm the one who submitted it!

[–] Swift-12 8 years ago

Yes, that's a high point in the movie. And his speech serves as backdrop as each condemned man gets hooded and shows his own character/reaction... nearly fainting ... fighting ... indignant resolution: "Tell him to shut up and lets get on with it."

The background music is also perfect. Tense but subtle and quiet. They used the same theme a number of times in the movie, but it's really best here.

I was surprised to find the Duffy actor doesn't have many screen credits. He was good for that role.

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