The Last Duel (2021) Best Movie Quotes

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Starring: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck, Harriet Walter, Nathaniel Parker, Sam Hazeldine, Michael McElhatton

OUR RATING: ★★★★☆

Story:

Historical drama directed by Ridley Scott, with the screenplay written by Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon. Based on actual events, set in 14th century France, The Last Duel (2021) centers on the last sanctioned duel between Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), two friends turned bitter rivals. When Carrouges wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), is viciously assaulted by Le Gris, a charge he denies, she refuses to stay silent, stepping forward to accuse her attacker, an act of bravery and defiance that puts her life in jeopardy. The ensuing trial by combat, a grueling duel to the death, places the fate of all three in God’s hands.

Read the movie review here.

Our Favorite Quotes:

'The debt we owe to our friends is the greatest of all.' - Jacques Le Gris (The Last Duel) Click To Tweet

Best Quotes

Chapter One – “The truth according to Jean de Carrouges”

Jacques Le Gris: [to Carrouges, after the Battle of Limoges] You saved my life today. Thank you.

Carrouges Gate Keeper: Declare yourself.
Jacques Le Gris: It is I. Helen of Troy.

Jacques Le Gris: I am your friend. And there are many others like me who would prefer you not perish.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: I don’t embark on this campaign recklessly. I don’t embark on it just to fight.
Jacques Le Gris: Then why?
Sir Jean de Carrouges: Jacques, I am broke. I need money.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: [referring to Marguerite] What a beauty.
Crespin: She is a de Thibouville? Yes. Her name is even older than yours. She’s his only daughter. There’s a dowry to be had. Of course, a man would have to bear the mark of her father’s disgrace. I don’t imagine one would suffer too greatly at the task of producing an heir.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: [at their wedding] I’m a very jealous man, milady. Tonight, you are mine and will dance with no other.
Marguerite de Carrouges: And every night hereafter.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: My love, I have bled for this king. He knows of me. I may have more power than you think.
Marguerite de Carrouges: I know how powerful you are.

Nicole de Carrouges: Why did you have to sue the count for a piece of land? Just to impress your bride.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: That land was promised to me. It was an appeal.
Nicole de Carrouges: And now, you’ve made an enemy of Count Pierre!
Sir Jean de Carrouges: It was right.
Nicole de Carrouges: Right. There’s no right. There is only the power of men. You sued him, and you’ve made a powerful enemy.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: [as he’s leaving for his military campaign] This is what I do. Let me provide for you.
Marguerite de Carrouges: And what of you?
Sir Jean de Carrouges: I have all that I need.
Marguerite de Carrouges: Except an heir.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: My love. It comes as God wills it.

Marguerite de Carrouges: [after confirming that she was left with no servants] Shortly after, a man came unannounced. I knew the man, so I let him in. But he was not alone. And he attacked me. He pinned me down, I protested. I screamed, I cried out as best I could, but there was no one here. I was overpowered. There was nothing I could do.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: Who? Who did this? Who?
Marguerite de Carrouges: Jacques Le Gris.

Marguerite de Carrouges: Jean, I want him to answer for what he has done.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: And he will. He will.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: I request a duel to the death.
King Charles VI: This custom was outlawed years ago.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: Not so, Your Grace.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: One of us has lied. Let us let God decide.
King’s Uncle: Sir Jean, if you lose this duel, thus proving these accusations false, your wife would suffer dire consequences.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: God will spare those who tell the truth. And the truth will prevail. I am not afraid.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: I present myself, Jean de Carrouges, knight, as an appellant in your court, and hereby do accuse this squire of a most foul crime against my wife, the Lady Marguerite de Carrouges. I charge that during the third week of this January past, this same Jacques Le Gris did feloniously and carnally take my wife against her will in our house. And if this said Jacques Le Gris denies his crime, I stand ready to prove my charge by my body against his, and to render him dead at an appointed time.

Chapter Two – “The truth according to Jacques Le Gris”

Pierre d’Alençon: [referring to Carrouges] He disobeyed me and let Limoges fall.
Jacques Le Gris: He believed he would succeed. His intentions were good.
Pierre d’Alençon: He’s no f***ing fun. You mean, you’d like to see more of his gloom here in Argentan? He postures and mopes about like a black cloud.

Jacques Le Gris: [referring to Carrouges] Milord, I have fought with him and seen the worst of this world with him. He is loyal.
Pierre d’Alençon: Yeah. So are my f***ing hounds. As you wish. Take your leave. Do as you like. I think very little of his character. However, I think a great deal of yours. It’s the quality that most recommends you. But do not let your loyalty blind you.

Jacques Le Gris: [translating form the The Book of Love] “Nothing prevents a woman from being loved by two men. Or a man from being loved by two women.”

Pierre d’Alençon: Life is good.
Jacques Le Gris: The wolves have not slept either. Your wife will awaken soon, milord. Best be in there when she does.
Pierre d’Alençon: Pregnant and hysterical. I prefer to take my chances with the wolves.

Pierre d’Alençon: So, tell me, squire, how does a man of war become so learned in letters?
Jacques Le Gris: I was born with neither a name nor wealth. I prepared for a life in the church. The requirements did not suit me.
Pierre d’Alençon: No, no. A libertine after my own heart.
Jacques Le Gris: That always came to me easily.

'There's no right. There is only the power of men.' - Nicole de Carrouges (The Last Duel) Click To Tweet

Jacques Le Gris: Jean de Carrouges has filed a lawsuit for a piece of property.
Pierre d’Alençon: Why would he sue you for a piece of property?
Jacques Le Gris: Because you gave it to me. He’s suing you too. He’s suing us both. I fail to see the amusement here, milord. How do you sue for that which was never yours?
Pierre d’Alençon: Will you finally submit that I was right about Jean de Carrouges?

Pierre d’Alençon: Good God, man, tell me you’re not here to sue me again.
Jacques Le Gris: Mock me, if you may, but you cannot change right from wrong nor wrong from right.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: Here, as a man of honor, you say I am not the captain? You say to me I am not the captain here?!
Pierre d’Alençon: I say to you whatever I like. I decide who is the captain at Belleme.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: [referring to Le Gris] That is what you prize. That. That sycophant. Sycophants all! I will sue! I will sue you for this!

Pierre d’Alençon: In just three years, you’ve managed to marry a traitor’s daughter, sue me for land that never belonged to you, and to stand before me for the second time in as many years, threatening once again to sue, all while speaking of duty and honor. This is how you serve me?
Sir Jean de Carrouges: I serve the king. The king. The king. Heaven and earth!
Pierre d’Alençon: Heaven and earth what?

Jacques Le Gris: [referring to Carrouges] It’s time to heal this wound.
Pierre d’Alençon: He will never change. Why even try?
Jacques Le Gris: Because a feud between your lordship’s vassals brings naught but trouble and distraction.

Pierre d’Alençon: You will get to see the mysterious wife. Apparently, he’s letting her out of the dungeon for one time only. One can only hope he hasn’t taken away her books.
Jacques Le Gris: Carrouges wife reads?
Pierre d’Alençon: In as many languages as you do, I’m told.
Jacques Le Gris: Strange match.
Pierre d’Alençon: It is. Will wonders never cease?

Pierre d’Alençon: Your decency will be the end of you.
Jacques Le Gris: And there is no end to my decency.

Jacques Le Gris: It’s a shame we had not met until tonight.
Marguerite de Carrouges: Is it?
Jacques Le Gris: I had no idea what a lucky man Carrouges was for having such a beautiful wife.
Marguerite de Carrouges: From what I have heard, you have no trouble acquiring beautiful women.

Adam Louvel: [as Le Gris watches Marguerite] To even think is to covet, my lord.
Jacques Le Gris: No less sinful than her coveting me.

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Adam Louvel: [referring to Marguerite] What do you think her and Jean speak about? You think they read together? But he’s illiterate though, isn’t he?
Jacques Le Gris: The debt we owe to our friends is the greatest of all.
Adam Louvel: Is it greater than love?

Sir Jean de Carrouges: I will not be patronized by this squire, who lies about court, waiting to be feted with gift upon gift upon gift, and risks nothing! Nothing. He may acquire more property in this world, find more favor, eat more, drink more, bed more, and otherwise, call himself a man of arms. But in this hall, and any other, in my company, he will call me “sir”. Sir. Sir.
Jacques Le Gris: Indeed, good sir.

Jacques Le Gris: [to Marguerite, after entering her house and declaring his love] If you run, I will only chase you.

Jacques Le Gris: [to a priest, after attacking Marguerite] I have committed the sin of adultery against a man I once considered a friend.

Le Gris Priest: My son, Matthew tells us, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jacques Le Gris: But is love a sin, Father? How can I seek absolution for love?

Pierre d’Alençon: A most unspeakable charge has been brought against you. Jean de Carrouges evidently, among others, has been telling any and all who will listen that you took his wife against her will.
Jacques Le Gris: I know not what to say.

Jacques Le Gris: The accusation is false. Of course, she made the customary protest, but she is a lady. It was not against her will. Why would I ever need to do that? Have you ever known me to lack the company of women?
Pierre d’Alençon: No. But you have not been yourself of late.

Jacques Le Gris: It is true, I confess, it is a feeling I’ve never had before. A love that I’ve never known. It’s taken all my strength not to return to her. We knew it was wrong, I confessed my adultery, and performed my penance. But I swear to you, this charge of rape is false.
Pierre d’Alençon: Of course it’s absurd. It’s as I suspected.

Pierre d’Alençon: [to LeGris] I know you yearn to defend your name and your honor, but the common mind has no capacity for this sort of nuance. They simply don’t understand the world as we do. They see villains and heroes, that is all. Deny, deny, deny. Everywhere, always, at all times, and to all men. You did not commit adultery. It never happened. There is no proof. It will always be your word against that of Jean de Carrouges.

Pierre d’Alençon: I hereby find said Jacques Le Gris to be completely innocent, and wholly without guilt. I order the criminal complaint annulled and stricken from the record. Let there be no further questions about it. Let there be no more gossip, the penalty a punishment by my hand. Is that understood? As to the sworn testimony of Lady Marguerite, one can only come to the conclusion she must have dreamt it.

Jacques Le Gris: All of France is talking about this, and I’m innocent. I’ve said publicly that this never happened!
Le Coq: And yet, under extraordinary pressure, and at great risk to her name and reputation, Lady Marguerite has said that it did.

Le Coq: Formally, this is not about her. Rape is not a crime against a woman. It is a property crime against her male guardian. In this case, Jean de Carrouges. This is not a matter over which a duel should be fought to the death. It should be settled quietly. Take the benefit of clergy.
Jacques Le Gris: I’m not a coward.

Jacques Le Gris: I do hereby deny all the aforesaid charges, especially of Jean de Carrouges, that I did unlawfully, and carnally know his wife, the Lady Marguerite de Carrouges, in the third week of January last, or at any other time. And I further maintain, saving the honor of Your Majesty, that the said knight has falsely, and wickedly lied! And that he is false and wicked to say this thing. And I further maintain, and with the aid of God, and with Our Lady, I pledge to do whatever is necessary to prove my innocence.

Le Coq: The king will decide if a duel should indeed be fought.
Jacques Le Gris: What now?

Chapter Three – “The truth according to The Lady Marguerite”

Marie: [as they watch Le Gris] He’s handsome. Charming, I hear.
Marguerite de Carrouges: True, he is handsome and charming, but my husband does not trust him.

Marguerite de Carrouges: [to Carrouges] You are kind to Jacques Le Gris. That man is unduly fond of himself. But you see how a smile and a kind word go much further than a threat. Even if you don’t mean it.

Marguerite de Carrouges: Why have I not yet conceived? I want a child so very badly.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: Wanting a child has nothing to do with the matter, Marguerite. We need a son.
Marguerite de Carrouges: You think I do not know this? I think of nothing else.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: I did not have this problem with my first wife.

Marguerite de Carrouges: I am a good wife.
Nicole de Carrouges: As long as you are fulfilling your wifely duties. Or perhaps you cannot be pleased.

Physician: You find intercourse with your husband pleasurable?
Marguerite de Carrouges: Yes, of course, Doctor. Although I am not certain I am experiencing “the little death”, as they say.
Physician: But if you find it pleasurable, then you are.

Marie: Bernard is a frugal man, and he does not like to kiss me. I once thought his appearance would become more pleasing. But, instead, it’s become more repulsive. So I suppose I am relieved about the kissing. He is not like Jean, handsome and generous.
Marguerite de Carrouges: My marriage is not without its problems.

Marguerite de Carrouges: Despite Le Gris’s many deplorable qualities, one cannot be blind to his appearance.
Marie: Crude as he is.
Marguerite de Carrouges: Offensive as well.
Marie: They’re all such fools.
Marguerite de Carrouges: Agreed.

Nicole de Carrouges: Are you going to let your wife speak to me in a tone like this?
Sir Jean de Carrouges: Marguerite is a grown woman, Mother. The decisions she makes are her own. As well as the lessons learned.

Marguerite de Carrouges: [after he’s entered her house while she’s alone] My lord provides for me.
Jacques Le Gris: Yes. But does he know you to be the most exquisite, fascinating woman? A woman I would devote my whole life to. Oh, hear me say I’m in love with you. I know you love me too. You must.
Marguerite de Carrouges: You must leave. Please.

Jacques Le Gris: [as he’s chasing after her] Marguerite, do not fight this.

Jacques Le Gris: [after attacking Marguerite] You fear yourself guilty. Oh, but, my love, I beseech you, tell no one. For your own safety. If your husband hears of this, he may kill you. Say nothing. I will keep quiet too. Do not feel badly, my love. We could not help ourselves.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: Are you telling me the truth?!
Marguerite de Carrouges: Jean, please! I am telling you the truth. You must believe me.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: Can this man do nothing but evil to me?!

Marguerite de Carrouges: Jean, I intend to speak the truth. I will not be silent. I have no legal standing without your support.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: Then you shall have it. Come. I will not allow him to be the last man to have known you.

Carrogues Priest: Milady, do you swear upon your life that what you say is true?
Marguerite de Carrouges: I swear it.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: Then we fight. Marguerite is my wife, and we have been wronged. I will not allow it to go unpunished.

Marie: Do you not recall? You said, on one or more occasions, that you found Le Gris handsome.
Marguerite de Carrouges: So did you.
Marie: But I do not complain of rape.
Marguerite de Carrouges: You do not believe me.

Nicole de Carrouges: Marguerite, why have you done this?
Marguerite de Carrouges: Because what happened to me is wrong.
Nicole de Carrouges: Men like Le Gris take women when they want, and how often they want. Who do you think you are? My son may die.
Marguerite de Carrouges: That is his choice. Not mine.

Marguerite de Carrouges: I cannot be silent. I must speak.
Nicole de Carrouges: Marguerite! All you have done is bring shame to our family.
Marguerite de Carrouges: I am telling the truth.
Nicole de Carrouges: The truth does not matter.

Nicole de Carrouges: You look at me as if I were never young. I was raped. And despite my protestations and my revulsion, did I go crying to my lord, who had better things to worry about? No, I stood up, got on with my life.
Marguerite de Carrouges: But at what cost?
Nicole de Carrouges: At what cost? I’m alive.
Marguerite de Carrouges: Well, you have paid a dear price for that privilege.

Marguerite de Carrouges: Noticing a man is attractive reveals nothing but that.

Clergy: Did you experience pleasure?
Le Coq: Simply answer the question.
Marguerite de Carrouges: I experienced no pleasure!

Le Coq: [referring to the punishment for false witness] Lady Marguerite, it is quite common for the accused to burn for twenty to thirty minutes before they are dead.
Marguerite de Carrouges: I am telling the truth.

Marguerite de Carrouges: You knew what would happen to me should you lose this duel. You knew, and you didn’t tell me.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: God will not punish those who tell the truth.
Marguerite de Carrouges: My fate, and our child’s fate, will be written not by God’s will, but by which old man will tire first!
Sir Jean de Carrouges: How dare you speak to me this way.
Marguerite de Carrouges: What have I to lose? I begged you to find another way, and now I might be burned alive.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: I am risking my life for you!
Marguerite de Carrouges: You are risking my life, so you can fight your enemy, and save your pride. And that could render our child an orphan. Or did you not think of that? You are a hypocrite. You are blinded by your vanity.

Marguerite de Carrouges: I finally gave birth to a son who I love more than I could have ever imagined, and I may not live to see him grow. This was my life. Had I had known the truth would deprive me of this love, I believe I would have done what many women before me had done. Nothing.
Sir Jean de Carrouges: What you did was right.
Marguerite de Carrouges: Not if I die. I am not like you, Jean. A child needs his mother more than a mother needs to be right.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: Lady, upon your evidence, I hazard my life in combat with Jacques Le Gris. You know my cause is just and true.
Marguerite de Carrouges: I say before all of you, I spoke the truth!
Sir Jean de Carrouges: Let it be in God’s hands.

Pierre d’Alençon: Let us pray this ends like the duel at Flanders. With Le Gris in a wrestling match, removing Carrouges testicles by hand.

Sir Jean de Carrouges: [to Le Gris] Confess! Confess to me.

Jacques Le Gris: In the name of God and on the peril of damnation of my soul, I am innocent of the crime!
Sir Jean de Carrouges: Then you be damned.
[he stabs Le Gris through the mouth, killing him]

King Charles VI: I grace you with honor, knight. God has spoken, proving your cause to be truthful and just. You have fought with strength and humility. May God be with you and your wife. Your wife.
[Carrouges turns to Marguerite, who joins him, and he revels in his victory as the crowd cheers]

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