Cinderella Quotes – ‘Have courage and be kind.’

Starring: Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Stellan Skarsgård, Derek Jacobi, Ben Chaplin, Hayley Atwell, Sophie McShera, Holliday Grainger, Nonso Anozie

OUR RATING: ★★★½

Story:

Disney’s live action romantic fantasy directed by Kenneth Branagh. The story follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) who loses her mother (Hayley Atwell) tragically due to illness. In order to move past his despair her father (Ben Chaplin) remarries to the calculating Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett), who moves into their family home with her daughters. When Ella’s father suddenly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of her jealous and cruel stepmother and stepsisters who relegate Ella to acting as their servant. Ella, determined not to give into despair, decides to make the best of her situation, but everything changes for her when she meets a dashing stranger in the woods unaware that he is really the Prince (Richard Madden).

Our Favorite Quotes:

'I want to tell you a secret, a great secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer. You must always remember this. Have courage and be kind.' - Ella’s Mother (Cinderella) Share on X 'Just because it’s what’s done, doesn’t mean it’s what should be done.' - Cinderella (Cinderella) Share on X 'This is perhaps the greatest risk that any of us will take. To be seen as we truly are.' - Fairy Godmother (Cinderella) Share on X

Best Quotes (Total Quotes: 115)

[first lines; we see baby Ella with her mother and father having a picnic]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Once upon a time there was a girl called Ella, and she saw the world now always as it was but perhaps as it could be with just a little bit of magic.
[Ella’s mother picks Ella up in her arms]
Ella’s Mother: My darling!
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] To her mother and father she was a princess. True she had no title nor crown nor castle, but she was the ruler of her own little kingdom whose borders were the house in the meadow on the forest’s edge where her people had lived for generations. With Mr. Goose, and all their animal family.

[we see young Ella feeding the animals in the garden; to Mr. Goose]
Ella (10 years): Hello, there. What do you think you’re doing? Let the little ones have their share. We don’t want you getting an upset stomach.
[Ella goes over to fee the mice as her mother watches]
Ella (10 years): Oh, Gus, you’re a house mouse not a garden mouse. Isn’t he, Jacqueline? And you mustn’t eat Mr. Goose’s food. Isn’t that right, mummy?
Ella’s Mother: Do you still believe that they understand you?
Ella (10 years): Don’t they, mother?
Ella’s Mother: Oh, yes. I believe that animals listen and speak to us if we only have the ear for it. That’s how we learn to look after them.
Ella (10 years): Who looks after us?
Ella’s Mother: Fairy Godmother’s, of course.
Ella (10 years): And do you believe in them?
Ella’s Mother: I believe in everything.
Ella (10 years): Then I believe in everything too.

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Her father was a merchant who went abroad and brought a tribute back from all of Ella’s subject lands.
[Ella’s father rides in on his carriage]
Ella’s Father: Ella! Where are my girls, my beautiful girls?! Where are my darlings?!
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Ella missed him terribly when he was away, but she knew he would always return.
[Ella runs towards her father]
Ella’s Father: There she is.
Ella (10 years): Pa, welcome home!
[Ella runs into her father’s arms and he picks her up]

Ella’s Father: You’ve grown! Let’s put you down.
he places her down and one of his men hands him a small box from behind
Farmer: There you go, sir.
Ella (10 years): Oh, what’s that?
[showing Ella the box]
Ella’s Father: Oh, this. I found it hanging on a tree. I think there may be something inside.
[Ella takes the box and opens it to find a butterfly ornament]
Ella’s Father: In French that is un papillon.
Ella (10 years): Un papillon.
Ella’s Father: Très bien! Voulez vous danser avec moi, mademoiselle?
Ella (10 years): Mm-hmm. Oui.
Ella’s Father: Merci beaucoup.
[Ella’s father takes her hands, Ella places her feet on top of her father]
Ella’s Father: Ouch! Ouch! You’re standing on my feet!
[they both laugh, Ella’s mother laughs as she watches them]
Ella’s Father: Shall we?
[they start dancing as they both laugh, Ella’s father goes over to his wife and hugs her]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] All was just as it should be. They knew themselves to be the most happier families to live as they did and to love each other so.

[Ella’s mother sings Ella to sleep]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] But sorrow can come to any kingdom, no matter how happy.
[Ella’s mother and father leave her bedroom when suddenly Ella’s mother collapses]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] And so it came to Ella’s home.
[Ella is sat waiting outside her mother’s room when the doctor walks out with her father]
Doctor: I’m so sorry.
Ella’s Father: Thank you, doctor.
Doctor: This must be very difficult for you.
[Ella’s father turns to her]
Ella’s Father: Come, Ella.

[Ella’s father takes Ella to see her mother in her room as she lies in bed]
Ella’s Mother: Ella, my darling. I want to tell you a secret, a great secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer. You must always remember this, have courage and be kind. You have more kindness in your little finger than most people possess in their whole body. And it has power, more than you know. And magic.
Ella (10 years): Magic?
Ella’s Mother: Truly. Have courage and be kind, my darling. Will you promise me?
Ella (10 years): I promise.
Ella’s Mother: Good.
[Ella begins to cry]

Ella’s Mother: Ella, I must go very soon, my love. Please forgive me.
Ella (10 years): Of course I forgive you.
[Ella’s mother holds Ella in her arms as she cries and Ella’s father puts his arms around them both]
Ella’s Mother: I love you.
Ella’s Father: I love you, my darling.
Ella’s Mother: I love you.

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Time passed and pain turned to memory
[years after Ella’s mother has passed away, we see Ella has grows into a beautiful young woman]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] In her heart Ella stayed the same, but she remembered her promise to her mother. “Have courage and be kind.” Father however, was much changed, but he hoped for the better times.
[Ella is sat with her father as she reads out loud from a book]
Cinderella: “And then so, and my wife and I singing to our great content. And if ever there were a man happier in his fortunes, I know him not.” Thus ends Mr. Peeps for today. I do love a happy ending, don’t you?
Ella’s Father: They’re quite my favorite sort.
Cinderella: As well they should be.

Ella’s Father: Ella, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time perhaps to begin a new chapter.
Cinderella: Indeed, father.
Ella’s Father: You recall that some time ago in my travels I made the acquaintance of sir Francis Tremaine.
Cinderella: Yes, the master of the Mercy’s Guild, is he not?
Ella’s Father: Was. The poor man has died alas. His widow, an honorable woman, finds herself alone, though still in the prime of her life.
Cinderella: You’re worried about telling me, but you mustn’t be. Not if it will lead to your happiness.
Ella’s Father: Yes. Happiness. Do you think I may be allowed one last chance? Even though I thought such things were done with for good?
Cinderella: Of course I do, father!
[she goes over to her father who hold her in his arms]
Ella’s Father: She’ll really be your stepmother, and you’ll have two lovely sisters to keep you company.

[to herself as she prepares to meet her stepmother and sisters]
Cinderella: Have courage, be kind.
[she joins her father as her stepmother’s carriage arrives]
Ella’s Father: Welcome, ladies! Welcome!
[Ella’s father helps the sisters out of the carriage; to Cinderella]
Drisella: You’re very nice.
Cinderella: I’m so happy to meet you.
Anastasia: You have such pretty hair.
Cinderella: Oh, thank you.
Drisella: You should have it styled.
Cinderella: Oh, I’m sure you’re right.

Cinderella: Would you like a tour of the house?
[to Anastasia]
Drisella: What did she say?
Anastasia: She wants to show us around her farm house. She’s proud of it, I think.
Drisella: Do they keep animals inside?
[just then Lady Tremaine drops her cat out of the carriage as she herself steps out]
Lady Tremaine: How charming. How perfectly charming.
[to her cat as she walks up the front stairs to enter the house]
Lady Tremaine: Lucifer.
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Her stepmother to be was a woman of keen feeling and refined taste. And she too had known grief, but she wore it wonderfully well.

Lady Tremaine: You did no say your daughter was so beautiful.
Ella’s Father: She takes after her…
[Ella’s father doesn’t finish the sentence]
Lady Tremaine: Her mother. Just so.
[Drisella and Anastasia enter the room]
Anastasia: How long has your family lived here?
Ella’s Father: Over two hundred years.
Anastasia: And in all that time they never thought to decorate?
Lady Tremaine: Anastasia, hush. They will think you are in earnest.

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Ella’s stepmother, high spirited lady that she was, set out to restore life and laughter to the house.
[we see Lady Tremaine enjoying herself as she hosts a house party]
Lady Tremaine: Oh, you are awful, Baron.
[as he wins a gambling]
Baron: Ah, fortune favors me.
[Cinderella wonders through the room and leaves to find her mice gathered together]
Cinderella: Well, look who’s having a party of their own! Jacqueline, Teddy, Matilda, greedy Gus Gus.
[Ella laughs when suddenly she sees Lucifer hissing at the mice]
Cinderella: Oh-oh.
[she picks up Lucifer]
Cinderella: What, yes what do you think you’re up to, Lucifer? Jacqueline is my guest and eating your guests is not allowed. Go on now, you have plenty of cat food to keep you happy.
[she lets Lucifer go; to the mice]
Cinderella: We ladies must help one another.
[she winks at them and walks off]

[Ella finds her father working in his office]
Cinderella: You’re missing the party.
Ella’s Father: It matters much like all the other ones. And I’m leaving first thing.
Cinderella: But you’re hardly back from the last trip. Do you have to go?
Ella’s Father: It’s just a few months, my darling. What would you like me to bring you home from abroad? Your sisters, uh, stepsisters have asked for parasols and lace. What will you have?
Cinderella: Bring me the first branch your shoulder brushes on your journey.
That’s a curious request.
[Ella laughs]
Cinderella: Well, you’ll have to take it with you on your way and think of me when you look at it. And when you bring it back, it means that you’ll be with it. And that’s what I really want. For you to come back, no matter what.
[as tears form in her eyes Ella’s father goes to her and embraces her]
Ella’s Father: I will.

[Lady Tremaine overhears Ella and her father in his office]
Ella’s Father: Ella, while I’m away I want you to be good to your stepmother and stepsisters. Even though they may be trying at times.
Cinderella: I promise.
Ella’s Father: Thank you. I always leave a part of me behind, Ella. Remember that. And your mother’s here too, even though you see her not. She’s the very heart of this place. That’s why we must cherish this house, always, for her.
Cinderella: I miss her. Do you?
Ella’s Father: Very much.
[they hold each other, Lady Tremaine, looking upset turns and walks back into the party]

[as the carriage is leaving with Ella’s father]
Anastasia: Remember the lace! I simply must have it!
Drisella: And my parasol! For my complexion! That means skin if you don’t know!
[Ella waves goodbye to her father]
Cinderella: Bye!
Ella’s Father: Goodbye, Ella!
Cinderella: I love you!
Ella’s Father: I love you, too!
Cinderella: Goodbye!
[Ella looks visibly upset as her father’s carriage rides away]

[Lady Tremaine notices Ella walking past the drawing room after her father leaves]
Lady Tremaine: Ella, dear.
[Ella walks into the room wiping away her tears and sits next to Lady Tremaine]
Lady Tremaine: Now, now. You mustn’t mope.
[she embraces Ella]
Cinderella: Yes, stepmother.
Lady Tremaine: Oh, you needn’t call me that.
[she wipes Ella’s tear with her handkerchief]
Lady Tremaine: Madam will do.

Lady Tremaine: Anastasia and Drisella have always shared a room. Such dear affectionate girls.
[we hear Anastasia and Drisella arguing loudly]
Lady Tremaine: I think they’re finding the sleeping quarters rather confining.
Cinderella: Oh, my bedroom’s the biggest beside yours and fathers. Perhaps they’d like to share it.
Lady Tremaine: What a wonderful idea. What a good girl you are.
[Ella smiles]
Cinderella: Well I can stay in the…
Lady Tremaine: The attic! Quite so.
Cinderella: The attic?
Lady Tremaine: Yes, only temporarily. While I have all the other rooms redecorated. The attic’s all nice and airy. You’ll be away from all the fuss and bother. You’d be even more cozy if you kept all this bric-a-brac up there with you, keep you amused.
[she hands Ella a box of ornaments]

[Ella takes the box of ornaments with her to the attic and looks around her]
Cinderella: Well, no one shall disturb me here.
[she starts putting some of the furniture in the attic out when she notices the mice gathered under a table eating cheese]
Cinderella: Hello, Gus Gus.
[as Gus tries to climb up carrying a piece of cheese]
Cinderella: Go on, Gus Gus. You can do it.
[Gus joins the other mice]
Cinderella: So this is where you take refuge. Me too it would seem. Right, will you guys help me?
[we see Anastasia and Drisella listening to her on the steps]
Anastasia: Simpleton.
Drisella: That’s the last straw.
Anastasia: Our little sister, up there, talking to the woodworm.

[walking around the attic]
Cinderella: How very pleasant. No cats, and no stepsisters.
[she closes the door]
Drisella: We’ve a half-wit for a stepsister.
[Drisella turns to go down the stairs]
Anastasia: I’ve got two.
Drisella: I heard that! Who is she talking to?
Anastasia: She’s mad.
[Anastasia laughs evilly as go down the stairs]

[Ella walks out singing “Sing Sweet Nightingale” quietly as she goes to feed the animals]
Cinderella: Good morning!
Tom: Good morning, Miss Ella.
Cinderella: Good morning, John!
[to the chickens as she goes to collect eggs]
Cinderella: Hello. Don’t mind if I… What a lovely, Chantecler. Well done. Thanks.

[Ella enters the kitchen where the servants are making breakfast]
Cinderella: Morning.
Maid: Morning.
[Ella puts the eggs she collected into a bowl]
Cook: Thank you, Miss Ella.
Cinderella: You’re welcome.
[as the cook turns Ella takes a swipe of the porridge she’s making with her finger]
Cook: Ella!
[Ella laughs as she leaves]

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Mornings did not agree with Ella’s stepsisters. And they lacked accomplishment in such domestic arts as keeping house. In fact, they lacked accomplishment in any art.
[we see Drisella playing the piano and singing out of tune as Anastasia is sat drawing Lady Tremaine, also very badly; Lady Tremaine the on purpose drops her plate making Ella come and pick it up, as Ella is about the leave the room Lucifer tries to go after Gus and the other mice hiding under the chest of drawers but manages to knock himself out instead]

[after Ella leaves the room; to Drisella as she’s about to continue her singing]
Lady Tremaine: Do shut up.

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Ella’s comfort were the letters that father would send from his travels. The weeks away lengthened to months, but everyday would bring his thoughts from some distant part. Until late one afternoon…
[Ella opens the front door]
Cinderella: Farmer John?
Farmer: Miss Ella. It’s your father, Miss Ella. He took ill on the road. He’s passed on, miss. He’s gone. Till the end he spoke only of you, miss, and your mother. I was to give you this.
[he gives her the branch Ella had asked her father for]
Anastasia: Well, what about my lace?
Drisella: My parasol.
Lady Tremaine: Can’t you see, none of that matters. We’re ruined! How will we live?
[Lady Tremaine walks off; Ella looks at Farmer John with tears in her eyes]
Cinderella: Thank you. It must have been very difficult for you.
[she closes the door, turns and looks at the branch then sinks to the floor as she begins to weeps]

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] How indeed to live? Economies had to be taken. Ella’s stepmother dismissed the household.
[we see Ella saying goodbye to the cook and the other servants]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Her stepmother and stepsisters ever misused her. And by and by they considered Ella less a sister than a servant.
[we see Ella helping Lady Tremaine lace up her shoes]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] And so Ella was left to do all the work. This was a good thing, for it distracted her from her grief. At least that was what her stepmother said. And she and her two daughters were more than happy to provide Ella with lots and lots of distraction.
[we see Ella washing their clothes and cleaning their shoes]

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] In their defense, they did share with her the very food they ate. Or rather the scraps from their table. She had little in the way of friends. Well, her friends were very little.
[to the mice]
Cinderella: There you are! Have dinner with me, won’t you?
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] But those friends she had, she treated with an open heart and an open hand.
[Ella places a cup upside down on the floor with a napkin to cover it in front of the mice]
Cinderella: A table.
[she shares her food with them]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Sometimes, by the end of the day, the drafty attic was too cold to spend the night in, so she lay by the dying embers of the hearth to keep warm.
[we see Ella lie down in front of the fireplace to sleep]

[the next morning Ella is woken by the sound of the servant bells ringing, she has the ash from fireplace all over her face as she goes to do her morning chores]
Lady Tremaine: I thought breakfast was ready.
Cinderella: It is, Madam. I’m only mending the fire.
Lady Tremaine: Oh, in future can it not be cold until the work is done?
Cinderella: As you wish.
Lady Tremaine: Ella, what’s that on your face?
Cinderella: Madam?
Anastasia: It’s ash from the fireplace.
Lady Tremaine: Do clean yourself up.
Anastasia: You’ll get cinders in our tea.
Drisella: I’ve got a new name for her: Cinder Wench!
Anastasia: She looks so dirty. Oh, Dirty Ella!
[Anastasia and Lady Tremaine laugh]
Drisella: Cinderella! That’s what we’ll call you!
Lady Tremaine: Oh, girls. You’re too clever.

[as Ella sets out the breakfast table and includes a plate for herself]
Lady Tremaine: Who’s this for? Is there someone we’ve forgotten?
Cinderella: It’s my place.
Lady Tremaine: Oh, it seems too much to expect to prepare breakfast, serve it and still sit with us. Wouldn’t you prefer to eat when all the work is done, Ella? Or should I say, Cinderella? Hm?
[looking visibly upset Ella takes her plate and leaves as Lady Tremaine laughs with cruelty]

[carrying her breakfast plate, Ella enters the kitchen accidentally breaks the plate and begins to weep, she then sees her reflection in the kettle]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Cinderella. Names have power, like magic spells. And of a sudden it seemed to her that her stepmother and stepsisters had indeed transformed her into merely a creature of ash and toil.
[in her despair, Ella rides her horse into the woods, she comes across a massive stag, which frightens her horse]
Cinderella: Woh! Woh! Woh!
[Ella then stares at the stag in wonder when she suddenly hears the sound of men hunting; to the stag]
Cinderella: Run. Quickly, my friend, or they’ll catch you. Go!
[the stag suddenly turns and rides off with Ella following behind on her horse]
Cinderella: Oh, easy!

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Perhaps it was just as well that Ella’s stepsisters were cruel, for had she not run to the forest she might have never met the Prince.
[we see the Prince riding with the rest of the hunting party when he sees Ella riding fast on her horse trying to calm her horse down]
Cinderella: Easy! Easy! Woh, woh, woh! Easy, boy! Come on, boy, slow down!
[the Prince rides over to help her]
Prince: Miss! Miss, are you alright? Hold on!
Cinderella: I’m alright, thank you. I’m fine.
[the Prince rides beside slowing her horse down]
Prince: Woh! Woh, woh, woh, woh! Woh. Woh.
[finally Ella’s horse comes to a stop]

Prince: Are you alright?
Cinderella: I’m alright, but you nearly frightened the life out of him!
Prince: Who?
Cinderella: The stag! What’s he ever done to you that you should chase him about?
[the Prince chuckles]
Prince: I must confess, I’ve never met him before. He is a friend of yours?
Cinderella: An acquaintance? We me just now. I looked into his eyes, and he looked into mine and I just felt he had a great deal to do with his life, that’s all.
Prince: Miss, what do they call you?
Cinderella: Never mind what they call me.
Prince: You shouldn’t be this deep in the forest alone.
Cinderella: I’m not alone, I’m with you. Mr…? What do they call you?
[the Prince laughs]
Prince: You don’t know who I am? That is, they call me Kit. Well, my father does. When he’s in a good mood.
[they both laugh gently]

Cinderella: And where do you live, Mr. Kit?
Prince: At the palace. My father’s teaching me his trade.
Cinderella: You’re an apprentice!
Prince: Of a sort.
Cinderella: That’s very fine. Do they treat you well?
Prince: Uh, better than I deserve most likely. And you?
Cinderella: They treat me as well as they’re able.
Prince: I’m sorry.
Cinderella: It’s not your doing.
Prince: Nor yours either I’ll bet.
Cinderella: It’s not so very bad. Others have it worse, I’m sure. We must simply have courage and be kind, mustn’t we?
Prince: Yes.
[the Prince smiles at Ella]
Prince: You’re right. That’s exactly how I feel.

[as they hear the hunting party approaching]
Cinderella: Please don’t let them hurt him.
Prince: But we’re hunting. You see, it’s what’s done.
Cinderella: Just because it’s what’s done, doesn’t mean it’s what should be done.
Prince: Right again.
Cinderella: Well then, you’ll leave him alone, won’t you?
Prince: I will.
Cinderella: Thank you very much, Mr. Kit.
[just then they are interrupted by the Captain]
Captain: Ah, there you are, your highne…
Prince: It’s Kit! Kit! Kit! I’m Kit! I’m on my way!
Captain: Well, we’ve better get a move on, Mr. Kit.
Prince: As I said, on my way.
[Ella smiles at the Prince as he goes to leave]
Prince: I hope to see you again, Miss.
Cinderella: And I you.
[Kit smiles at her before riding off; to her horse]
Cinderella: Come on, boy.
[Ella rides off in the opposite direction]

[at the palace the Prince meets with his father, he King, in his room as the doctor is giving him a checkup]
King: You sound as if you’re the first fella ever to meet a pretty girl!
Prince: She wasn’t a pretty girl! She was a pretty girl, but there was so much more to her.
King: How much more? You’ve only met her once! How could you know anything about her?
Prince: You told me you knew right away when you met mother.
King: That’s different. Your mother was a princess.
Prince: You would have loved her anyway.
King: I would never have seen her because it wouldn’t have been appropriate. And my father would’ve told me what I’m telling you, and I would’ve listened.
Prince: No, you wouldn’t.
King: Yes, I would.
Prince: No, you wouldn’t.
King: I would.
Prince: You wouldn’t.
King: You’re right.

[to the doctor]
Prince: Well, how is he?
[the doctor looks nervously at the Prince]
King’s Doctor: Your Majesty, never mind.
King: If it takes that long to work out a way to say it, I already know.
[the Prince looks visibly upset]
Prince: Father.
King: Way of all flesh, boy. Come, we shall be late. And punctuality is the…
Prince, King: …politeness of princes.

[as they walk down the palace corridor]
Grand Duke: I’m sure your father spoke to you of your behavior in the forest.
Prince: Is it any business of yours, Grand Duke?
Grand Duke: Your business is my business, Your Royal Highness. It will not do to let the stag go free.
Prince: Just because it’s what’s done doesn’t mean it’s what should be done, something like that.
[as they enter into a room]
Master Phineus: Master Phineus. Master of the paint brush, patiently awaits.
King: Make him look marriageable, Master Phineus. We must attract a suitable bride. Even if he won’t listen to a word I say.
Master Phineus: I shall endeavor to please, Your Majesty. But I can’t work miracles.
Captain: A splendid canvas, Master Phineus.
Master Phineus: Thank you.
[quietly to himself]
Master Phineus: As if he knows anything about art.

[as the Prince sits to be painted by Phineus]
Prince: So these portraits will really be sent abroad to induce the high and mighty to attend this ball you insist upon?
Grand Duke: It is a tradition which is beloved.
King: At which you will choose a bride.
[quietly to himself]
Master Phineus: Ah, fascinating.
Prince: If I must marry, could I not wed say, a good honest country girl?
Grand Duke: How many divisions will this good honest country girl provide us? And will she make the kingdom stronger? We are a small kingdom amongst great states, Your Royal Highness. And it’s a dangerous world.

King: Listen, boy, I want to see you and the kingdom safe.
Prince: Alright, father. On one condition. Let the invitations go to everyone, not just the nobility. The wars have brought sorrow on us all.
[looking at the Captain]
King: What do you think? Will that please the people?
Captain: It’s beyond my wit, Your Majesty, but I wouldn’t mind a bit of a jolly.
[the Captain laughs]
Grand Duke: I think we might have made a bargain. A ball for the people, and a princess for the prince.
Master Phineus: Sounds like a step in the right direction, if you ask me…
King: We didn’t ask you!
Master Phineus: I’m so sorry. Naughty paint, naughty brush. Haven’t even got a cushion.

[to his assistant]
Master Phineus: Down, please, Samson.
[his assistant lowers his painting chair]
Master Phineus: I haven’t even got a cushion. Right down. Down, not that down!
[he suddenly topples to the ground]
Master Phineus: I’m on the ground. I am literally on the ground.
[he starts to laugh]
Master Phineus: Sorry.
[to the Prince]
Master Phineus: Actually, this is a very good angle for you. Great nostrils.
[to his assistant]
Master Phineus: Could I have a longer brush!

[Ella rides into town and meets up with her friend]
Maid: You don’t look well, miss. Not at all. Why do you stay there when they treat you so?
Cinderella: Because I made my mother and father a promise to cherish the place we were so happy. They loved our house and now that they’re gone I love it for them. It’s my home.

[everyone in the town, including Ella and her friend, is interrupted by the Royal Crier]
Royal Crier: Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
[to a dog barking]
Royal Crier: Quiet!
[starts reading from his scroll]
Royal Crier: Know on this day, two weeks hence, there shall be held at the palace a royal ball. At said ball, in accordance with ancient custom, the Prince shall choose a bride. Furthermore, at the behest of the Prince, it is hereby declared that every maiden in the kingdom, be she noble or commoner, is invited to attend. Such is the command of our most noble King.
[the crowd lets out a gasp of shock and pleasure]

[Ella rushes home to inform Lady Tremaine of the news about the ball]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Ella was enormously excited to see Kit, the apprentice. And her stepsisters were mildly intrigued by the notion of meeting the Prince.
[after Ella tells them about the ball, Lady Tremaine jumps up in excitement]
Anastasia: I shall trick him into loving me! See if I don’t!
Drisella: This is the most hugest news!
[to her daughters]
Lady Tremaine: Calm yourselves. Now listen to me, one of you must win the heart of the Prince. Do that, and we can unwind the debt in which were ensnared when we came to this backwater.
Drisella: I a princess!
Anastasia: Or rather I a princess!

[looking at Ella]
Lady Tremaine: Having delivered your news, why are you still here? You must return to town right away and tell that seamstress to run us up three fine ball gowns!
Cinderella: Three? But that’s very thoughtful of you.
Lady Tremaine: What do you mean?
Cinderella: To think of me.
Lady Tremaine: Think of you?
Drisella: Mummy, she believes the other dress is for her! Poor slow little Cinders. How embarrassing.
[Lady Tremaine laughs]
Lady Tremaine: Oh, you’re too ambitious for your own good.
Cinderella: Oh, no. I only want to see my friend.

Lady Tremaine: Let me be very clear, one gown for Anastasia, one for Drisella, and one for me. La mode Parisian.
Anastasia: She doesn’t know what that means.
[Ella replies back in fluent French shocking Lady Tremaine into silence]
Lady Tremaine: Good. Right, that’s settled then. Now, go! Every girl in the kingdom will be chasing the Prince. You must get there first before the seamstress is drowning in work!
[referring to Ella speaking in French as they rush out of the living room]
Anastasia: Tell me what she said, Drisella.
Drisella: I speak French not Italian!

[at the palace as the Prince is practicing fencing with the Captain and loses]
Captain: Wake up, Your Royal Highness. You’re in a daze.
Prince: I’m sorry.
Captain: You’ve been off since the hunt.
Prince: It’s that wonderful girl, I can’t stop thinking about her.
Captain: Well there are plenty of girls.
Prince: But her spirit, her goodness.
Captain: You don’t suppose she has a sister, do you?
[the Prince chuckles]
Prince: I don’ know. I don’t know anything about her.
Captain: Perhaps your mystery girl may come to the ball. That is why you threw the doors open, was it not?
Prince: Captain, it was for the benefit of the people.
Captain: Of course. How shallow of me.

Prince: And if she comes, then what?
Captain: Then you will tell her you are a prince, and a prince may take whichever bride he wishes.
Prince: Ha.
Captain: Ha?
Prince: Yes, ha! You know my father and the Grand Duke will only have me marry a princess.
Captain: Well, if this girl from the forest is as charming as you say, they may change their minds.

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] The day of the ball arrived and the entire kingdom held its breath in anticipation.
[we see Ella helping Anastasia and Drisella getting dressed for the ball; looking at herself in the mirror and practicing]
Anastasia: You want me to be the queen? Who? Me?
[to Ella who’s stringing up her corset]
Drisella: Tighter!
[Ella pulls the strings to tighten up further]
Drisella: Tighter!
[Ella pulls the strings even tighter]
Drisella: Tighter!
[Ella pulls the string as far as they can go]
Drisella: That’s it!
Anastasia: A vision, sister.
Drisella: Likewise.

Anastasia: We must compete for the Prince’s hand. Oh, and let it not mean we harbor dark thoughts against each other.
Drisella: Of course not, dear sister. I wouldn’t dream of poisoning you before we leave for the ball.
Anastasia: Oh! Nor I of pushing you from the moving carriage on the way there.
Drisella: Or I of bashing your brains out on the palace steps as we arrive. We are sisters after all.
Anastasia: And blood is so much thicker than water.
Drisella: We shall let the Prince decide.
Cinderella: What will he be like I wonder?
[Anastasia laughs]
Anastasia: What does it matter what he’s like? He’s rich beyond reason.
Cinderella: Wouldn’t you like to know a bit about him before you marry him?
Drisella: Certainly not, it might change my mind.

Anastasia: I bet you have never ever spoken to a man. Have you, moon face?
Cinderella: I have once to a gentleman.
[Anastasia laughs]
Anastasia: Some menial, no doubt. Some apprentice.
Cinderella: He was an apprentice, yes.
Drisella: All men are fools, that’s what mama says. The sooner you learn that the better.

Anastasia: The first dance, my lady.
[they start dancing and laughing]
Anastasia: Prince Charming’s a bit naughty!
[they twirl around and laugh, hen Anastasia tries on a tiara]
Anastasia: Look.
Drisella: Oh, I want to try it.
[Drisella takes the tiara]
Anastasia: No, I want it.
Drisella: No!
Anastasia: Don’t!
[as they both try to grab the tiara it breaks]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Not for the first time, Ella actually felt pity for these two schemers, who could be as every bit as ugly within as they were fair without.
[as the two sisters argue and cry Ella quietly leaves and goes to her room in the attic]

[we see Ella in her room making her dress for the ball]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] If her stepmother would not have a fourth dress made it seemed to Ella that there was no reason why she would not try to run it up herself. And besides, she did have a little help.
[we see the mice helping under the table; later as they are about to leave for the ball]
Lady Tremaine: My dear girls, to see you like this, it makes me believe one of you might just snare the Prince. And to think I have two horses in the race! I dare say no one in the kingdom will outshine my daughters.
[just then Ella appears walking down the stair in the ball dress she made for herself]
Lady Tremaine: Cinderella.
Cinderella: It cost you nothing. It was my mother’s old dress, you see. And I took it out myself.
[in a mockingly wicked one]
Drisella: Oh, la. Cinderella at the ball! No one wants a servant as a bride.

Lady Tremaine: After all I’ve done.
Cinderella: I don’t want to ruin anything, I don’t even want to meet the Prince.
Lady Tremaine: Oh, and you won’t. Cause there’s no question of you going.
Cinderella: But all of the maidens of the land are invited, by order of the King.
Lady Tremaine: It is the King I’m thinking of. It would be an insult to the royal personage to take you to the palace in these old rags.
Cinderella: Rags? This was my mothers.
[Lady Tremaine, Anastasia and Drisella walk over to Ella]
Lady Tremaine: Oh, sorry to have to tell you, but your mother’s taste was questionable. This thing is so old-fashioned it’s practically falling to pieces.
[suddenly Lady Tremaine rips one shoulder off Ella’s dress]
Lady Tremaine: Oh, the shoulder’s frayed!
[Drisella then rips the front lace off the dress]
Lady Tremaine: It’s falling to bits.
Drisella: It’s ridiculous old-fashioned joke!
[Lady Tremaine laughs wickedly, Ella looks at Lady Tremaine with tears in her eyes]
Cinderella: How could you?
Lady Tremaine: How could I otherwise? I will not have anyone associate my daughters with you. It would ruin their prospects to be seen arriving with a ragged servant girl. Because that is what you are, and that is what you will always be. Now mark my words, you shall not go to the ball!

[after Ella watches the carriage leaving with Lady Tremaine and her daughters, Ella runs into the garden, kneels down and begins to weep]
Cinderella: I’m sorry, mother. I’m sorry. I said I’d have courage, but I don’t! Not anymore! I don’t believe anymore!
[as she weeps Ella runs towards the back of the house when suddenly she’s interrupted by an old beggar woman]
Fairy Godmother: Excuse me. Can you help me, miss. Just a little crust of bread, or a cup of milk.
Cinderella: Yes. Yes, yes. I think I can find something for you.
[Ella turns and goes to get the milk]
Fairy Godmother: Why are you crying?
Cinderella: Oh, it’s nothing.
Fairy Godmother: Nothing? Nothing.
[Ella gives the bowl of milk to her]
Fairy Godmother: What of the bowl of milk? Nothing. But kindness makes it everything.

[Ella watches the old woman gulps down the milk and then laughs when the old woman burps]
Fairy Godmother: Now, I don’t mean to hurry you but you really haven’t got long, Ella.
Cinderella: How do you know me? Who are you?
Fairy Godmother: Who am I? I should think you’d have worked that one out.
[Ella looks at her confused]
Fairy Godmother: I’m your Hairy Dogfather. I mean, Fairy Godmother!
Cinderella: You can’t be.
Fairy Godmother: Why not?
Cinderella: They don’t exist. They’re just made up for children.
Fairy Godmother: Didn’t your own mother believe in them? Don’t say no because I heard her.
Cinderella: You heard her?
Fairy Godmother: Oh, fiddle-faddle, fiddle-faddle.

Fairy Godmother: Right, first thing’s first. Let me slip into something more comfortable.
[the old woman throws her stick into the air and it transforms into a glass wand and sprinkles magic dust onto her transforming her into her true form]
Fairy Godmother: Oh, that’s better.
[Ella looks at her in shock]
Fairy Godmother: Now, where was I?
Cinderella: How did you…?
Fairy Godmother: Oh, yes. Let’s see. What we need is something that sort of says “coach.”
[they both look around them]
Cinderella: Um, oh, that trough.
Fairy Godmother: Doesn’t really say “coach.” No, no, no. I’m liking fruit and veg.

Fairy Godmother: Do you grow watermelons?
Cinderella: No.
Fairy Godmother: Cantaloupe?
Cinderella: I don’t even know what that is.
Fairy Godmother: Artichoke?
[Ella shakes her head]
Fairy Godmother: Kumquat?
[Ella shakes her head]
Fairy Godmother: Beef tomato?
Cinderella: We do have pumpkins.
Fairy Godmother: Ah.

[as Ella takes her to the pumpkins]
Fairy Godmother: Pumpkin. This will be a first for me. Always interesting. I don’t usually work with squashes, too mushy.
[they enter the greenhouse]
Fairy Godmother: Let me see.
[as she spots the right size pumpkin]
Fairy Godmother: Ah, that’ll do. Yes. Knife!
[Ella hands her a garden knife]
Cinderella: Uh, there you are.
Fairy Godmother: Thank you, darling.
[she hands Ella her wand]

See more Cinderella Quotes

[to the pumpkin]
Fairy Godmother: Hello, my strangely orange vegetable friend. A quick snip for you.
[she cuts the root and goes to pick up the pumpkin]
Fairy Godmother: Ah, lovely. Oh, ooh! Heavy pumpkin!
[to the mice scattered on the ground]
Fairy Godmother: Watch out, mice!
[Fairy Godmother drops the pumpkin on the ground]
Fairy Godmother: Ah. Oh, well. Never mind. Let’s do it here.
Cinderella: Do what here?
Fairy Godmother: Turn the pumpkin into carriage.
Cinderella: Oh.

Fairy Godmother: You’re making me nervous, actually.
Cinderella: Shall I shut my eyes?
Fairy Godmother: It might be better.
[Ella covers her eyes with her hands]
Fairy Godmother: Oh, for heaven’s sake, let’s just go for it.
[she waves her wand at the pumpkin and it starts to shake]
Fairy Godmother: Ah. Well something’s definitely happening. You see the trick is…
[she sits next to Ella]
Fairy Godmother: Actually, I’ve forgotten what the trick is. Hmm.
[suddenly the pumpkin starts to grow]
Cinderella: I just…just thought, if it does get much bigger…?
Fairy Godmother: Yes? Hang on.
[the pumpkin grows so large that it squashes Ella and Fairy Godmother against the windows]
Cinderella: Is that what you meant to do?
Fairy Godmother: Do you think that’s what I meant to do? Run! Run, darling!
[Ella and Fairy Godmother run out of the greenhouse]
Fairy Godmother: Take cover!
[behind some bushes they watch as the pumpkin bursts through the greenhouse and turns into a golden carriage]
Fairy Godmother: Ah, one carriage.

Cinderella: You really are my Fairy Godmother.
Fairy Godmother: Of course. I don’t go about transforming pumpkins for just anybody. Now, where are those mice?
Cinderella: Mice?
[she starts looking for the mice]
Fairy Godmother: Mm. Mice, mice, mice, mice. There they are.
[she suddenly rushes towards the four mice she’s spotted and waves her wand at them]
Fairy Godmother: Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!
[the four mice suddenly transform into horses]
Fairy Godmother: Four white chargers.
Cinderella: Gus Gus, how fine you look!
[looking at Fairy Godmother]
Cinderella: But how did you…?

Fairy Godmother: Now, where are we? We got the carriage, horses, uh… Footman.
Cinderella: Footman?
[she notices two lizards]
Fairy Godmother: Hello there, Mr. Lizard. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!
[the two lizards suddenly turn into footmen]
Lizard Footman: You called?
Fairy Godmother: Now, I need that coachman.
Cinderella: Coachman?
Fairy Godmother: Did I say coachman? I meant goose!
[she turns the goose into a coachman]
Goose Coachman: I can’t drive! I’m a goose.
[Ella laughs]

[to the horses]
Fairy Godmother: Now, shoo. Everyone to place, come on! Come on!
[they all hurry along towards the carriage]
Cinderella: Fairy Godmother?
Fairy Godmother: Yes, what?
Cinderella: My dress. I can’t go in this dress. Can you mend it?
Fairy Godmother: Mend it? No, no, I’ll turn it into something new.
Cinderella: Oh, no, please don’t. This was my mothers, and I’d like to wear it when I go to the palace. It’s almost like taking her with me.
Fairy Godmother: I understand. But she wouldn’t mind if I cheer it up a bit? Wouldn’t mind a nice blue.
Cinderella: No.
[Fairy Godmother waves her wand at Ella’s dress and turns it into a beautiful blue dress]
Fairy Godmother: There.
Cinderella: It’s beautiful! She’d love it.

[to Ella]
Fairy Godmother: Now, come on! Off you go! Quick! You’ll be late!
[the carriage with the goose coachman rides up towards them]
Goose Coachman: Oh, boy.
[to the horses]
Goose Coachman: Woh!
[Fairy Godmother and Ella rush towards the carriage, the lizard footman opens the carriage door and just as Ella is about to step into the carriage Fairy Godmother stops her]
Fairy Godmother: Just a moment!
[she notices Ella’s plain shoes]
Fairy Godmother: Mm. Are these the best you have?
Cinderella: It’s alright, no one will see them.
Fairy Godmother: No, this will ruin the whole look. Quick, quick, take them off.
[Ella takes off her shoes]
Fairy Godmother: Yes. They’re really quite hideous. Into something new for a change. I’m rather good at shoes.
[she adds glass slippers onto Ella’s feet]
Cinderella: But they’re made of glass.
Fairy Godmother: Yes. And you’ll find they’re really comfortable.

Fairy Godmother: Ella, you really must go now.
Cinderella: Oh, Fairy Godmother?
Fairy Godmother: What is it?
Cinderella: My stepmother and the girls?
Fairy Godmother: Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they don’t recognize you.
[she waves her wand and places a spell on Ella so that she won’t be recognized]
Fairy Godmother: Now off you go. For you shall go to the ball.
[the lizard coachman and Fairy Godmother help Ella into the carriage]
Fairy Godmother: Up. In you get.
Lizard Footman: Oh, so lovely.
Fairy Godmother: Oh, do stop wittering on.
[Ella sits in the carriage]
Fairy Godmother: Phew.

[as the carriage is about to ride off, suddenly Fairy Godmother realizes something and turns to Ella]
Fairy Godmother: Ella, I almost forgot! Remember, the magic will only last so long. With the last echo of the last bell at the last stroke of midnight the spell will be broken and all will return to what it was before.
Cinderella: Midnight?
Fairy Godmother: Mm-hmm. Midnight.
Cinderella: That’s more than enough time.
Fairy Godmother: Off you go then.
Cinderella: Thank you.
Fairy Godmother: Goosey, go!
[the carriage starts to ride off]
Cinderella: Goodbye!
[Fairy Godmother waves goodbye as the carriage rides off]

[we see everyone, including Lady Tremaine and her daughters arriving at the ball; she holds out her invitation to the Royal Crier]
Lady Tremaine: Lady Tremaine and her daughters.
[the Royal Crier takes the invitation and announces them]
Royal Crier: The Lady Tremaine and her daughters.
[to the Royal Crier]
Drisella: I’m Drisella.
Anastasia: And I’m Anastasia. People want to know.
[Drisella whispers to the Crier]
Drisella: I’m the clever one.
[Anastasia adds]
Anastasia: And I’m very beautiful.
[the Royal Crier announces them]
Royal Crier: The very clever Miss Drisella and the very beautiful Anastasia.
Lady Tremaine: Do come on!

[the Prince is stood next to the King as they watch the guests being announced]
King: Who are you looking for?
Prince: No one.
King: It’s that girl in the forest, isn’t it? That’s why you were so generous with the invitations.
Prince: Father, it was for the people.
King: I know you love the people, Kit. But I also know that your head’s been turned. You’ve only met her once, in the forest.
Prince: And you’d have me marry someone once tonight.
King: A princess. It’s a princess or nothing.

Grand Duke: May I present her Royal Highness the Princess Chelina of Zaragosa.
[the Prince kisses her hand]
Princess Chelina of Zaragosa: You are as handsome as your picture, and your little kingdom is enchanting.
Prince: I hope the Princess will not find our little kingdom too confining.
[at the same time Ella arrives in her carriage and the lizard footmen open the carriage doors]
Lizard Footman: Miss Ella.
[he extends his hand to help her off the carriage]
Cinderella: Thank you.
[Ella looks up in awe at the palace]
Cinderella: I’m frightened, Mr. Lizard.
Lizard Footman: Oh.
Cinderella: I’m only a girl, not a princess.
Lizard Footman: And I’m only a lizard, not a footman. Enjoy it while it lasts.
[Ella smiles then with a breath of courage starts making her way inside the palace]

Royal Crier: Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, my lords, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished visitors, and people of our land: the Prince shall now choose his partner for the first dance. Let our ball commence!
[just then Ella enters the ballroom balcony and everyone looks up at her, along with the Prince who smiles and turns to Princess Chelina]
Prince: Excuse me.
[the Prince makes his way to Ella]
Grand Duke: A thousand apologies, Your Royal Highness. I don’t know what happened.
[as Ella makes her way down the staircase everyone’s eyes are on her]

[the Prince smiles at Ella as she reaches the bottom of the stairs, they walk towards each other]
Cinderella: Mr. Kit.
Prince: It’s you, isn’t it?
Cinderella: Just so.
Prince: Your highness, if I may, that is, it would give me the greatest pleasure, if you would do me the honor, of letting me lead you through this. The first…
[the Prince hesitates]
Cinderella: Dance?
Prince: Yes, dance.
[the Prince laughs]
Prince: That’s it.
[Ella smiles and nods her head]

[the Prince puts one hand around Ella’s waist as they begin to dance]
Cinderella: They’re all looking at you.
Prince: Believe me, they’re all looking at you.
[everyone watches them as they dance]
Princess Chelina of Zaragosa: Who is she?
Grand Duke: I have no idea.

[the guests applause for the Prince and Ella after they finish their dance]
Drisella: Who is that, mama?
Lady Tremaine: I’m not exactly sure, but this does not bode well.
Drisella: That’s a lovely dress she’s got on.
Anastasia: And how pretty is she?
Lady Tremaine: Concentrate! You must turn the Prince’s head, you fools! Now, get out there!
Anastasia: But no one’s asked us to dance!
[Lady Tremaine pushes her daughters forward towards some guests]
Lady Tremaine: Gentlemen, may I present my daughters, Anastasia, Drisella.
[Anastasia and Drisella are picked by two male guests]
Lady Tremaine: Off you go!
[they head off to the dance floor and begin dancing along with the other guests; to her daughters as they dance]
Lady Tremaine: Smile!

[as they are dancing]
Prince: Come with me.
[the Prince takes Ella off the dance floor; to her daughters]
Lady Tremaine: Over there! Smile!
[the Prince takes Ella to a private room]
Cinderella: So you’re the prince?
Prince: Well not “the” prince exactly. They are a bunch of princes in the world, I’m only “a” prince.
Cinderella: But your name’s not really Kit.
Prince: Oh, sadly it is and my father still calls me that when he’s especially unpeeved at me.
Cinderella: But you’re no apprentice.
Prince: I am an apprentice monarch. I’m still learning my trade.
[Ella looks overwhelmed]
Cinderella: Oh, gosh!

Prince: Please forgive me. I thought you might treat me differently if you knew. I mistook you for a good honest country girl. Now I see you didn’t want overwrought a plain soldier.
Cinderella: Little chance of that.
Prince: No more surprises?
[he extends his hand to Ella]
Cinderella: No more surprises.
[Ella takes his hand for a moment when she notices his painting]
Cinderella: Is that you?
Prince: I hate myself in paintings, don’t you?
[Ella laughs]
Cinderella: No one’s ever painted my portrait.
Prince: No? Well they should.

[as they leave the ball room]
Grand Duke: Who is she?
Royal Crier: She gave no name, Your Grace.
Grand Duke: You didn’t ask?
Royal Crier: Well, I was out of breath, Your Grace. On account of introducing princesses to the royal…
Grand Duke: Oh, shut up, will you?!
Royal Crier: Shut up? Absolutely.

Royal Crier: I don’t believe this!
[his assistants go through the invitations to look for Ella’s name and show him one of the invitations]
Royal Crier: No, not her!

[the Prince takes Ella to the palace gardens]
Cinderella: Won’t they miss you at the ball?
Prince: Maybe. But let’s not go back just yet.
[as they walk in the garden]
Cinderella: What’s wrong?
Prince: When I go back they will try to pair me off with a lady of their choosing. I’m expected to marry for advantage.
Cinderella: Oh. Well who’s advantage?
Prince: That is a good question.
Cinderella: Well, surely you have a right to your own heart?
Prince: I must weigh that against the king’s wishes. He’s a wise ruler, and a loving father.
Cinderella: Well, perhaps he’ll change his mind.
[the Prince hesitates before replying]
Prince: I fear he hasn’t much time to do so.
Cinderella: Poor Kit.

Captain: People are saying she’s a princess. Our prince seems quite taken with her.
Grand Duke: She went straight for him. You have to appreciate her efficiency.
Captain: Surely if she is a princess this may be good.
Grand Duke: I’ve already promised him in marriage to the Princess Chelina.
[just then Lady Tremaine comes up behind them and interrupts them]
Lady Tremaine: Oh, forgive me, Your Grace. I did not mean to intrude.
Grand Duke: No, it’s you who have to forgive me, Madam.
Lady Tremaine: Your secret is safe with me.

Prince: I’ve never shown this place to anyone.
[he opens the door to a secret garden]
Cinderella: A secret garden! Oh, I love it.
[Ella walks over to the swing]
Prince: Please.
Cinderella: Oh, I shouldn’t.
Prince: You should.
Cinderella: I shouldn’t.
Prince: You should.
Cinderella: I shouldn’t.
Prince: You should.
Cinderella: I will.
[Ella sits on the swing as they Prince stands behind her]
Prince: May I?
Cinderella: Please.
[he starts to swing her gently]

[as the Prince swings Ella she drops one of her glass slippers, the Prince picks it up]
Prince: It’s made of glass.
Cinderella: And why not.
Prince: Allow me.
Cinderella: Thank you.
[he gently lifts her skirt and places the slipper on Ella’s foot]
Prince: There.
Cinderella: There.
[he pulls Ella closer to him]
Prince: Won’t you tell me who you really are?
Cinderella: If I do I think everything might be different.
Prince: I don’t understand. Can you at least tell me your name?
Cinderella: My name is…
[just then she hears the clock begins to strike for midnight]
Cinderella: I have to leave. It’s hard to explain. Lizards and pumpkins and things…

[Ella suddenly rushes off as the clock continues to strike for midnight]
Prince: Wait! Where are you going?
[Ella looks back at the Prince]
Cinderella: You’ve been awfully nice. Thank you for a wonderful evening, I’ve loved it! Every second!
[Ella turns and rushes off again; looking baffled the Prince sits on the swing]
Prince: Lizards and pumpkins?
[he smiles to himself and decides to rush off after Ella]

[Ella makes her way through the ballroom dance floor]
Cinderella: Oh, excuse me! Sorry! Terribly sorry!
Grand Duke: Oh, your highness!
[as the Prince follows behind Ella on the dance floor Anastasia sees an opportunity and grabs the Prince to dance]
Anastasia: My Prince!
Prince: Oh. How do you do?
Drisella: You’ve got the wrong one! You’ve got the wrong one!
[Ella rushes up the stairs]
Royal Crier’s Assistant #1: He need her name!
Royal Crier’s Assistant #2: I know he needs her name!
Royal Crier: Her name, you ninny! Her name!
[he suddenly bangs his head on the stairwell arch as he goes after Ella]
Royal Crier: That really hurt!

[as Ella is about to leave the ballroom she bumps into the King]
Cinderella: Oh, Your Majesty!
King: Young lady!
Cinderella: Oh, I’m so sorry.
[Ella curtsies]
King: Oh, think nothing of it, my dear.
[Ella goes to leave]
Cinderella: I wanted to say, Your Majesty, your son Kit is the most lovely person I ever met. So kind and brave. I hope you know how much he loves you. Excuse me.
[she turns and rushes off]

[as Ella flees down the palace steps she drops one of her glass slippers]
Prince: Wait!
[Ella turns to pick up her slipper]
Prince: Wait! Where are you going?
[Ella rushes towards her carriage]
Cinderella: Hurry! Hurry!
[the lizard footman, who’s been napping, suddenly wakes]
Prince: Come back!
[Ella enters her carriage]
Cinderella: Hurry! Hurry, please, Mr. Goose!
[the goose coachman rides off]
Prince: Wait!

[as Ella’s carriage leaves the palace the Prince picks up her glass slipper]
Prince: Captain, my horse.
Grand Duke: No, this may be some trick to lure you from the palace. Your father needs you here.
[the Grand Duke walks off]
Grand Duke: Captain!
Captain: I was having a fine old time. You had to go and choose that one, didn’t you?
[the Captain walks off and the Prince smiles to himself]
Prince: Yes, I did.

[the Grand Duke, Captain and the guards go after Ella, at the same time the clock continues to strike for midnight]
Cinderella: Hurry, Mr. Goose!
[to the horses]
Goose Coachman: Come on!
Cinderella: Be careful, Mr. Goose!
[the nearly topple over the cliff’s edge]
Cinderella: Oh, my goodness!
[as they chase after Ella’s carriage]
Grand Duke: You there! Stop in the name of the King!
[to herself]
Cinderella: Such bad timing.
[the lizard footmen start growing back their tails]
Lizard Footman: I know what to do!
[he uses his tail to drawn down the iron fence and stop the Grand Duke and his guards from chasing them]
Grand Duke: Get this thing open!

[as the clock is getting near to its last strike everything starts transforming to their normal state]
Goose Coachman: Oh, dear!
Cinderella: Oh, no!
[as she watches the lizard footmen and good coachman transforming back]
Cinderella: No, no, no, no, no!
[eventually everything transforms to its true form and Ella is left to walk back home; to the mice as they follow her]
Cinderella: Oh, I’m sorry.
[she allows them to get into her glass slipper]
Cinderella: You’ll find it’s very comfortable.
[she then laughs to herself as it starts to rain]

[Ella makes it back home just as Lady Tremaine and the girls arrive home]
Lady Tremaine: Cinderella!
Anastasia: Cinderella!
Drisella: Wake up, lazy bones!
[they walk into the kitchen]
Drisella: Tea and a plate of biscuits
Cinderella: Welcome back!
Anastasia: You look cheerful!
Drisella: And wet!
Cinderella: Oh, I took a walk in the rain to cheer myself up.
Anastasia: Typical.
Cinderella: Tea.
[Ella quickly goes about preparing their tea and biscuits]

[to Ella, as they are sat in the kitchen having their tea]
Drisella: We did not communicate through mere words, our souls met.
Anastasia: Precisely my soul and the Prince’s soul.
[to Drisella]
Anastasia: Your soul was over by the banquet tables.
Drisella: You didn’t see him dance with me.
Lady Tremaine: Dance with you? He didn’t even speak to you.
Anastasia: It was not our fault, mother. It was that girl!
Drisella: The mystery princess.
Cinderella: Mystery princess? Why, what a charming notion.
Lady Tremaine: Oh, she was no princess. She was a preening interloper who made a spectacle of herself.
Cinderella: Oh?
Lady Tremaine: A vulgar young hussy marched into the ball, unaccompanied if you will, and to the horror of everyone threw herself at the Prince.

[as Ella goes to fetch more tea she starts swaying to herself as she remembers her dance with the Prince]
Anastasia: And he actually danced with the ugly thing.
Cinderella: Yes?
Drisella: Yes.
[Lady Tremaine looks suspiciously at Ella]
Drisella: It was pity. He was too polite to send her packing in front of everyone, you see. But not wanting to expose us to the presumptuous wench any further, he took her apart.
Anastasia: And told her off. But she refused to leave and the palace guards chased her from the party!
[she laughs]
Anastasia: I pity the Prince, such bad taste.
Drisella: They belong with each other.
Anastasia: Hm.
Lady Tremaine: Well, it’s no matter, girls. The ball was a mere diversion. The Prince is not free to marry for love, he’s promised to the Princess Chelina of Zaragosa. Grand Duke told me himself.
Anastasia: It’s so very unfair!
Lady Tremaine: Yes. The way of the world.

[in her room in the attic she finds he mice under the floor boards where she’s hidden a box of her parents things]
Cinderella: Oh, hello again.
[she places her glass slipper in the box; to the mice]
Cinderella: Thank you for your help. It really was like a dream. Better than a dream.
[she then gets out her notebook and starts writing in excitement]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Ella couldn’t wait to write down all that had happened so that she might remember every single bit of it. Just as if she were telling her mother and father about the palace ball and her time with the Prince. Above all, the Prince.

[the Prince walks into his father’s chambers where he’s lying in bed sick]
King: Oh, you’ve come. Good.
Prince: Oh, father. Don’t go.
King: I must. You needn’t be alone, take a bride. The Princess Chelina.
[the Prince doesn’t respond]
King: What if I commanded you to do so.
Prince: I love and respect you, but I will not. I believe that we need not look outside of our borders for strength or guidance. What we need is right before us, and we need only have courage and be kind to see it.
King: Just so. You’ve become your own man. Good. And perhaps with the little time left to me I could become the father you deserve. You must not marry for advantage, you must marry for love. Find that girl. Find her. Go on. They’re all talking about the forgetful one who loses her shoes.
[they both laugh]

King: Oh, be cheerful, boy.
Prince: Thank you, father.
King: Thank you, Kit.
[tears roll down the Prince face]
King: Thank you, son.
Prince: I love you, father.
[he weeps into his father’s chest and lies by his side]

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Once the time for mourning had passed a proclamation was sent out.
Royal Crier: Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
[we see the Royal Crier is in the town center reading from his scroll]
Royal Crier: Know that our new king hereby declares his love for the mysterious princess as wore glass slippers to the ball. And requests that she present herself at the palace whereupon, if she be willing, he will forthwith, marry her with all due ceremony.
[the crowd murmurs with shock, Ella looks away in shock, smiles to herself before riding off home]

[Ella rushes into her room in the attic to fetch the slipper she hid beneath the floorboards, but she finds that it’s not there]
Lady Tremaine: Are you looking for this?
[Lady Tremaine is sat holding the slipper in her hand]
Lady Tremaine: There must be quite a story go with it, won’t you tell me? No? Alright then, I shall tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a beautiful young girl who married for love and she had two loving daughters. All was well, but one day her husband, the light of her life, died. The next time she married for the sake of her daughters, but that man too was taken from her. And she was doomed to look every day upon his beloved child. She had hoped to marry off one of her beautiful stupid daughters to the Prince, but his head was turned, by a girl with glass slippers. And so, I lived unhappily ever after. My story would appear to be ended. Now, tell me yours. Did you steal it?
Cinderella: It was given to me.
Lady Tremaine: Given to you? Given to you? Nothing is ever given, for everything you must pay, pay.
Cinderella: That’s not true. Kindness is free, love is free.
Lady Tremaine: Love is not free.

Lady Tremaine: Now, here is how you will pay me, if you were to have what you desire.
[she starts walking towards Ella]
Lady Tremaine: No one will believe you, a dirty servant girl without a family if you lay claim to the Prince’s heart. But with a respectable gentle woman to put you forward, you will not be ignored. When you are married you will make me the head of the royal household, Anastasia and Drisella we will pair of with wealthy lords and I shall manage that boy.
Cinderella: But he’s not a boy!
Lady Tremaine: And who are you? How would you rule the kingdom? Best to leave it to me, that way we all get what we want.
[Lady Tremaine goes to leave]
Cinderella: No.
[she turns to face Ella]
Lady Tremaine: No?

Cinderella: I was not able to protect my father from you, but I will protect the Prince and the kingdom, no matter what becomes of me.
Lady Tremaine: Well, that is a mistake.
[suddenly she smashes the slipper against the wall shattering it to pieces]
Cinderella: No! Why? Why are you so cruel? I don’t understand it. I’ve tried to be kind to you.
Lady Tremaine: You kind to me?
Cinderella: Yes! I know no one deserves to be treated as you have treated me. Why do you do it? Why?!
Lady Tremaine: Why? Because you are young and innocent and good, and I…
[Lady Tremaine suddenly turns and walks out]
Cinderella: No! No!
[she locks Ella in the attic]

[Lady Tremaine takes the remains of the glass slipper to the Grand Duke]
Grand Duke: May I ask where you got this?
Lady Tremaine: From a ragged servant girl in my household.
Grand Duke: The mystery princess is a commoner.
Lady Tremaine: You can imagine when I discovered her subterfuge how horrified I was.
Grand Duke: You’ve told no one else?
Lady Tremaine: Not even my own daughters.
[the Grand Duke chuckles]
Lady Tremaine: No one need ever know the truth.
Grand Duke: You’ve spared the kingdom a great deal of embarrassment.
Lady Tremaine: And I should like to keep it that way.
Grand Duke: Are you threatening me?
Lady Tremaine: Yes.
[they both laugh]

Grand Duke: So what do you want?
Lady Tremaine: I should like to be a countess, and I require advantageous marriages for my two daughters.
Grand Duke: Done. And the girl?
Lady Tremaine: Oh, do with her what you will. She’s nothing to me.

[after the Grand Duke has shown the remains of the glass slipper to the Prince]
Prince: Where?
Grand Duke: Abandoned on the side of the road.
Prince: And have you found her?
Grand Duke: The girl? No, she’s disappeared.
Prince: There must be some reason she vanished. Perhaps she has been prevented from speaking.
Captain: Do not lose heart yet.
Grand Duke: On the contrary, lose heart and gain wisdom. The people need to know that the kingdom is secure, that the king has a queen and that the land may have an heir. They want to face the future with certainty.
Prince: Agreed, then let us be certain! I am king, I say we shall seek out the mystery princess! Even if she does not want to be found, I have to see her again.
Grand Duke: But if she’s not found, then for the good of the kingdom, you must marry the Princess Chelina, for the good of the kingdom.
[the Prince sits on his throne and looks at the piece of glass slipper for a moment]
Prince: Very well. Agreed.
Captain: But, your highness?
[the Prince looks at the Captain with determination]
Prince: But you will spare no effort.
Grand Duke: Your Majesty, of course. You have my word.
[he turns and starts walking off with a wicked smile on his face]

[we see a line of women in the kingdom trying on the other glass slipper none which whose foot fits the slipper]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] The slipper traveled the length and breadth of the kingdom, visiting every maiden both high and low and every sort in between.
[the Grand Duke and his guards enter a bakery]
Slipper Lady #1: Oh, Lord!
Grand Duke: You first, Madam.
Slipper Lady #1: Well, I’ll give it a go. Right. I say, where do you want me?
[the guards make her sit on the counter]
Slipper Lady #1: Ooh, hop, up I go.
[as one of the guards takes off her shoes]
Slipper Lady #1: Oh, careful, it’s a bit swollen. I’ve been…
[as her shoes is taken off suddenly the guards faint from the bad smell of her foot]
Slipper Lady #1: It’s the yeast.

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] The Grand Duke was true to his word. He spared no effort to demonstrate to the Prince that the mystery princess was not to be found.
[we see a maiden rolling around on the floor as she tries to force the slipper onto her foot]
Slipper Lady #1: It fits! I fits!
Grand Duke: It doesn’t fit you!
Slipper Lady #1: It does fit!
Grand Duke: It doesn’t.
Slipper Lady #1: It’s mine!
Grand Duke: No, it’s not yours.
Slipper Lady #1: I am the mystery princess!
Grand Duke: Give back the shoe.
Slipper Lady #1: No, I don’t…
[to the guards]
Grand Duke: Take the shoe away from her!
[as the guards pick her up]
Slipper Lady #1: Don’t take the shoe from me, please! Please, it’s my shoe!

Palace Guard: Make way for the slipper!
[we see another more maiden trying on the slipper and trying make their foot fit and failing]
Slipper Lady #2: Can I try the other foot?
Captain: I don’t think so.
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] But whatever they tried, the magical slipper refused to fit even the most eligible of maidens.
[we see the Grand Duke and the Captain walking towards an elderly maiden]
Townsperson: We found the mystery princess for ya!
[the crowd laughs and the Grand Duke and Captain turn to leave]

Grand Duke: What’s wrong, Captain?
Captain: We haven’t found the girl. I’m disappointed for our king.
Grand Duke: Oh, come on, now! Don’t lose heart. There’s one more house. We must leave no stone unturned.
[as they hear the palace guards arriving towards their house]
Anastasia: Horses! Horses!
Drisella: Mother, it’s our chance!
[they rush towards the window]
Drisella: Let them in!

[Lady Tremaine opens the front door]
Lady Tremaine: Gentlemen! What a wonderful surprise.
Grand Duke: A moment of your time, good lady.
Lady Tremaine: Of course, Your Grace. Please. This way.
[Ella is standing by the attic window]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Ella did not know who was downstairs, nor did she care. For surely no one had come to see her.
[the mice gather at her feet trying to get her attention]
Cinderella: Gus Gus, Jacqueline, stop it!

[the Captain tries to fit the slipper on Drisella’s feet and it’s too small]
Drisella: It’s shrunk.
Grand Duke: Try again.
[she grabs hold of the Captain as she tries to force the slipper onto her foot]
Anastasia: Oh, enough!
[Anastasia pushes Drisella out of the way; we see Ella singing to herself in the attic]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Though Ella was sad, her spirit was not broken. She knew that the ball, and her time with the prince, would become beautiful, distant memories, like those of her father and mother, and her golden childhood.
[as Anastasia tries to force the slipper onto her foot]
Anastasia: It fits me!
Captain: Bad luck, miss.

[Ella continues to sing to herself in the attic]
Cinderella: Lavender’s green, dilly, dilly. Lavender’s blue. You must love me, dilly, dilly. For I love you.
[the mice try to open the attic window to let the guards hear Ella as she sings; back downstairs]
Grand Duke: Very well. Our task is done, Captain.
Lady Tremaine: But fate may yet be kind to us, girls.
[the Grand Duke laughs]
Grand Duke: Indeed, Madam!
[back in the attic as Ella continues to sing the mice are successful in opening the window]
Cinderella: When I am king, dilly, dilly. You shall be queen. Lavender’s green, dilly, dilly. Lavender’s blue. If you love me, dilly, dilly. I will love you. Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly. And the lambs play. We shall be safe, dilly, dilly…

[just as they are about to leave they hear Ella singing]
Captain: Do you hear that, Your Grace?
Grand Duke: Let’s be off, Captain.
Captain: Just a moment.
[as Lady Tremaine goes to close the door]
Captain: Madam, there is no other maiden in your house?
Lady Tremaine: None.
Captain: Then has your cat learned to sing?
[Lady Tremaine laughs nervously]
Grand Duke: There’s been enough play-acting today, Captain. Let’s be off.
Captain: But she’s lying, Your Grace.
Grand Duke: Nonsense! I trust the lady. We’re leaving.
[suddenly the Prince, who has been disguised as a guard, takes off his hat and calls out]
Prince: Grand Duke!
[the Captain and the Grand Duke bow]
Lady Tremaine: Your Majesty.
Prince: What sweet singing. Makes me want to tarry just a little.
Grand Duke: Your Majesty, I-I did not know…
Prince: Captain, would you be so kind as to investigate?
Captain: It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty.

[back in the attic, Ella continues to sing]
Cinderella: If you love me, dilly, dilly I will love you.
[just then Lady Tremaine walks in with the Captain]
Lady Tremaine: There! You see? I told you it was no one of any importance.
Captain: We’ll see about that.
Lady Tremaine: Miss. You are requested and required to present yourself to your king.
[to Ella]
Lady Tremaine: I forbid you to do this!
Captain: And I forbid you to forbid her! Who are you to stop an officer of the king? Are you an empress? A saint? A deity?
Lady Tremaine: I am her mother.
Cinderella: You have never been, and you never will be my mother.
Captain: Come now, miss.
[as Ella goes to follow the Captain Lady Tremaine grabs her arm]
Lady Tremaine: Just remember who you are, you wretch!
[Ella leaves the attic and closes the door]

Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Would who she was, who she really was, be enough? There was no magic to help her this time. This is perhaps the greatest risk that any of us will take. To be seen as we truly are.
[as Ella walks downstairs to reveal herself to the Prince she stops and looks at herself in the mirror and remembers her mother’s words to her on her death bed]
Ella’s Mother: Have courage, and be kind.

[Ella walks downstairs, passes the Grand Duke and enters the living room where the Prince is waiting, he turns, Ella smiles and curtsies]
Prince: Who are you?
Cinderella: I am Cinderella. Your Majesty, I’m no princess. I have no carriage, no parents, and no dowry. I do not even know if that beautiful slipper will fit. But if it does, will you take me as I am? An honest country girl who loves you.
Prince: Of course I will. But only if you will take me as I am. An apprentice still learning his trade.
[referring to the seat next him]
Prince: Please.
[Ella sits, the Prince kneels in front of her, puts the slipper on her foot which fits perfectly]

[as the Prince is about the kiss Cinderella Anastasia and Drisella burst into the room]
Drisella: Cinderella!
Anastasia: Ella!
Drisella: My dear sister! I’m sorry.
Anastasia: So very sorry.
[they curtsy, Ella takes her slipper off and looks at the Prince]
Prince: Shall we?
[Ella nods, they hold hands and start to walk out of the room, as they are about to walk out the front door Ella turns to Lady Tremaine]
Cinderella: I forgive you.
[Ella and the Prince leave]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] Forgiven or not, Cinderella’s stepmother and her daughters would soon leave with the Grand Duke, and never set foot in the kingdom again.

[on their wedding day, looking at the painting of Ella’s parents hung next to the painting of the Prince’s parents]
Cinderella: They would have loved each other.
Prince: We must have a portrait of you painted.
Cinderella: Oh, no. I do hate myself in paintings.
Prince: Be kind.
Cinderella: And have courage.
Prince: And all will be well.

[last lines]
Cinderella: Are you ready?
Prince: For anything, so long as it’s with you.
[they walk out onto the palace balcony where the crowd cheers for them]
Prince: My queen.
Cinderella: My Kit.
[they kiss and look out to the crowd]
Fairy Godmother: [voice over] And so Kit and Ella were married. And I can tell you, as her fairy godmother, that they were counted to be the fairest and kindest rulers the kingdom had known. And Ella continued to see the world not as it is, but as it could be, if only you believe in courage, and kindness and occasionally, just a little bit of magic.

Total Quotes: 115