"A Comedy of Murders."
Monsieur Verdoux - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
One murder makes a villain; millions a hero. Numbers sanctify, my good fellow!
— Henri Verdoux
Context:
Delivered in the courtroom (and reiterated to the reporter in his cell) after he has been sentenced to death, using his final moments to indict the society condemning him.
Meaning:
This is the film's defining statement. It succinctly captures the anti-war message and the critique of state-sanctioned violence, pointing out that morality is often just a matter of scale.
Despair is a narcotic. It lulls the mind into indifference.
— Henri Verdoux
Context:
Spoken to the Girl when she asks him about his pessimistic outlook during their first meeting.
Meaning:
Verdoux explains how he copes with the horror of his existence and the state of the world. It suggests that apathy is a survival mechanism for the downtrodden.
Wars, conflict - it's all business.
— Henri Verdoux
Context:
Spoken to the reporter in his prison cell shortly before his execution.
Meaning:
Reflects the Marxist critique that war is driven by economic profit rather than ideology or justice. It aligns Verdoux's personal crimes with the geopolitical crimes of nations.
I shall see you all... very soon... very soon.
— Henri Verdoux
Context:
His final words to the court after being sentenced to death, breaking the fourth wall to address the audience/society.
Meaning:
A chilling prophecy directed at the courtroom spectators. He implies that in a world rushing toward atomic war and destruction, their death is just as imminent as his own.