University of Saskatchewan Academics Quotations

Dark City is a 1998 science fiction film set in a city of perpetual night, whose inhabitants are given new, artificial memories every 24 hours by mysterious beings called the Strangers.

Directed by Alex Proyas. Written by Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, and David S. Goyer.

A world where the night never ends. Where man has no past. And humanity has no future. taglines

Dr. Daniel Schreber

First there was darkness. Then came the Strangers.

You are probably wondering why I keep appearing in your memories, John. It is because I have inserted myself into them.

The only place home exists is in your head.

[While being hung upside-down by Mr. Book] Maybe you have finally found what you are looking for and it's going to bite you on your--

This one is still warm. What is it? The recollections of a great lover? A cataloge of conquests? We will soon find out. [A Stranger gives him two vials] You wouldn't appreciate that, would you, Mr. Whatever-your-name-is?

John Murdoch

I know this is gonna sound crazy, but what if we never knew each other before now? What if the first time we ever met was last night in our apartment. And everything you remember, and everything I’m supposed to remember never really happened. Someone just wants us to think it did.

Mr. Hand

[to John Murdoch] I have become the monster you were intended to be.

Instincts are irrational, Mr. Wall. We must follow where they lead, yes?

There used to be a ferry when I was a boy, biggest thing you ever saw, lit up like a floating birthday cake.

Detective Walenski

I've been trying to remember things, clearly remember things, from my past, but the more I try to think back, the more it all starts to unravel. None of it seems real. It's like I've just been dreaming this life, and when I finally wake up, I'll be somebody else. Somebody totally different!

Dialogue

[At a murder scene]

Inspector Frank Bumstead: What's that make so far, Husselbeck? Six hookers in all?

Husselbeck: I believe so, sir.

Inspector Frank Bumstead: Give the man an "A" for effort.

Inspector Frank Bumstead: You saw something, didn't you, Eddie? Something to do with the case.

Walenski: There is no case! There never was! It's all just a big joke! It's a joke!

John Murdoch: I was just thinking, what you do seems kind of dangerous right now. I mean, how do you know I'm not the killer?

May: I don't. Why — you feeling any urges I should know about?

Mr. Wall: Do not fret, Anna. I will give you some more pretty things soon.

Emma Murdoch: I'm not Anna.

Mr. Wall: You will be soon, yes.

John Murdoch: When was the last time you remember doing something during the day?

Inspector Frank Bumstead: What do you mean?

John Murdoch: I just mean during the day. Daylight. When was the last time you remember seeing it? And I'm not talking about some distant, half-forgotten childhood memory, I mean like yesterday. Last week. Can you come up with a single memory? You can't, can you? You know something? I don't think the sun even... exists... in this place. 'Cause I've been up for hours, and hours, and hours, and the night never ends here.

John Murdoch: Hey, do you know the way to Shell Beach?

Taxi Driver: You're kidding! Me and the Mrs. spent our honeymoon there. All you gotta do is take Main Street West to... or is it the Cross... You know, that's funny, I can't remember if it's Main Street West or the Crosstown.

John Murdoch: Excuse me. How do I get to the end of the line?

Train Passenger: You want the Express.

[Few moments later after train passes through without stopping]

John Murdoch: Hey, how come that train didn't stop?

Station Master: That's the Express.

John Murdoch: I know this is gonna sound crazy, but what if we never knew each other before now... and everything you remember, and everything that I'm supposed to remember, never really happened, someone just wants us to think it did?

Emma Murdoch: But how can that be true? I so vividly remember meeting you. I remember falling in love with you. I remember losing you. [pause] I love you John, you can't fake something like that.

John Murdoch: No, you can't.

Husselbeck: Everything Detective Walenski committed to paper should be here.

Inspector Frank Bumstead: The only thing that should be committed is Walenski.

[Mr. Hand has been imprinted with Murdoch's memories]

Mr. Book: Is it done?

Mr. Hand: Oh, yes, Mr. Book. I have John Murdoch in mind.

Mr. Wall: No more Mr. Quick. Mr. Quick, dead, yes.

Stranger: Poor, poor Mr. Quick.

Taglines

They built the city to see what makes us tick. Last night one of us went off.
Forget the Sun. Forget Time. Forget Your Memories.
A world where the night never ends. Where man has no past. And humanity has no future.
You are not who you think you are

Cast

Rufus Sewell - John Murdoch
Jennifer Connelly - Emma Murdoch/Anna
Kiefer Sutherland - Dr. Daniel Schreber
William Hurt - Inspector Frank Bumstead
Colin Friels - Detective Eddie Walenski

Quoternity