I caught Scent of A Woman on cable this weekend, one of Pacino’s best work. The film climaxed with the scene where Frank Slade unexpectedly came to represent his young friend Charlie and gave his speech to Charlie’s entire school. It’s one the most memorable scenes in cinema for me and it gets me riled up everytime I see it. I thought it’d be fun to write down the entire dialog of the scene.

    Here’s a quick rundown on the main characters:

  • Charlie Sims– a student who attends Baird, a prestigious prep school, on a merit scholarship and Slade’s companion for the holidays, he is 1 of 2 witnesses of a vandalism incident.
  • Mr. Trask – the schoolmaster trying to get the names of the vandals that defaced his car via witness testimonials, he also tries to tempt Charlie to name the culprits with a bribe.
  • Frank Slade – A fiery & embittered decorated military man who Charlie is looking after over Thanksgiving. The blind and washed-up Lieutenant Colonel originally planned to spend a weekend in NYC before putting a bullet in his head.

Lieutenant Colonel Slade’s memorable speech:

Trask: Mr. Sims, you are a cover-up artist and you are a liar.

Slade: But not a snitch!

Trask: Excuse me?

Slade: No, I don’t think I will. This is such a crock of shit.

Trask: Mr. Slade, you will watch your language. You are at the Baird School now not a barracks. Now Mr. Sims I will give you one final opportunity to speak up.

Slade: Mr. Sims doesn’t want it. He doesn’t need to labeled, “…still worthy of being a ‘Baird Man.'” What the hell is that? What is your motto here? Boys, inform on your classmates, save your hide. Anything short of that we’re gonna burn you at the stake? Well, gentlemen. When the going gets tough, some guys run and some guys stay. Here’s Charlie–facing the fire, and there’s George–hiding in big Daddy’s pocket. And what are you gonna do? You’re gonna reward George, and destroy Charlie.

Trask: Are you finished, Mr. Slade?

Slade: No. I’m just gettin’ warmed up. Now I don’t know who went to this place–William Howard Taft, William Jennings Bryan, William Tell–whoever. Their spirit is dead; if they ever had one, it’s gone. You’re building a rat ship here. A vessel for sea going snitches. And if you think you’re preparing these minnows for manhood you better think again. Because I say you are killing the very spirit this institution proclaims it instills. What a sham! What kind of show are you guys puttin’ on here today. I mean, the only class in this act is sittin’ next to me. And I say, this boy’s soul is in tact. It is non-negotiable. You know how I know. Because someone here–I’m not gonna say who–offered to buy it. Only Charlie here wasn’t selling.

Trask: Sir, you are out of order!

Slade: Out of order, I’ll show you out of order! You don’t know what out of order is Mr.Trask! I’d show you but I’m too old, I’m too tired, and I’m too fuckin’ blind. If I were the man I was five years ago I’d take a flame-thrower to this place. Out of order, who the hell do you think you’re talking to? I’ve been around you know? There was a time I could see. And I have seen, boys like these, younger than these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. But there isn’t nothin’ like the sight of an amputated spirit, there is no prosthetic for that. You think you’re merely sending this splendid foot-soldier back home to Oregon with his tail between his legs but I say that you are executing his soul. And why? Because he’s not a Baird man. Baird men, you hurt this boy, you’re going to be Baird Bums, the lot of ya. And Harry, Jimmy, Trent, wherever you are out there, fuck you too.

Trask: Stand down Mr. Slade!

Slade: I’m not finished! Now as I came in here, I heard those words…cradle of leadership. Well, when the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And it has fallen here, it has fallen! Makers of men, creators of leaders, be careful what kind of leaders you’re producing here. Now, I don’t know if Charlie’s silence here today is right or wrong; I’m no judge or jury. But I can tell you this: he won’t sell anybody out to buy his future! And that my friends is called integrity, that’s called courage. Now that’s the stuff leaders should be made of. (pause) Now I have come to the crossroads in my days, and I have always known the right path, always, without exception, I knew. But I never took it, you know why? Because it’s too damn hard. Now here’s Charlie; he’s come to the crossroads. And he’s chosen a path, it’s the right path. It’s a path made of principle, that leads to character. Let him continue on his journey. You hold this boy’s future in your hands committee! It’s a valuable future. Believe me! Don’t destroy…protect it…embrace it. It’s gonna make you proud some day…I promise.