Rashomon — Movie Quotes

The woodcutter utters this line at the beginning of the film, sitting under the Rashomon gate in the pouring rain, as he and the priest begin to recount the perplexing murder trial to the commoner.

This opening line sets the stage for the film's central theme of ambiguity and the elusiveness of truth. It immediately establishes the sense of confusion and moral uncertainty that pervades the narrative. It also highlights the woodcutter's own internal conflict and guilt, as he is not merely a confused observer but also a participant in the deception.

The commoner says this to the priest and the woodcutter at the Rashomon gate as they express their dismay over the contradictory testimonies. He offers a pragmatic, if pessimistic, explanation for the characters' dishonesty.

This quote encapsulates the film's core philosophy about human nature. It suggests that deception is not just a conscious act but an ingrained part of the human condition, a defense mechanism to protect our fragile egos. The commoner's cynical worldview serves as a counterpoint to the priest's idealism.

The priest says this after hearing all the conflicting stories, expressing his despair to the cynical commoner. It is a plea for a return to a more compassionate and trusting worldview.

This line expresses the priest's anguish and his belief that a world without trust and faith is devoid of meaning and hope. It highlights the stakes of the film's philosophical inquiry: the very foundation of human society and morality rests on a fragile trust that the events of the film have shattered.

The woodcutter says this towards the end of the film at the Rashomon gate, after his own version of the story has been told and his theft of the dagger has been revealed. It is a moment of profound introspection and guilt.

This is a moment of self-realization for the woodcutter, as he acknowledges his own complicity in the web of lies. He understands that he is no better than the others, as he too has acted out of self-interest. This admission of his own fallibility is a crucial step towards his eventual act of redemption.