Daily Dialogue — October 6, 2015
The occupant of the smoke-shrouded corner table becomes visible only as Indy reaches there: it is Emile Belloq. He is drinking wine.
INDY: Belloq
BELLOQ: Good evening, Dr. Jones.
INDY: I ought to kill you right now.
BELLOQ: It was not I who brought the girl into this dirty business.
Indy knows its true; that’s what’s tearing him up.
BELLOQ: Sit down, please, before you fall down. We can behave as civilized people. I’m afraid it will be your last opportunity.
Indy sits, glancing at the German Henchmen, who settle nearby, just out of earshot.
INDY: Not a very private place for a murder.
BELLOQ: (looking around) These Arabs will not interfere in the white man’s business. They do not care if we kill each other off. (takes a sip of wine, refers to it) Terribly difficult finding a descent vintage here. You were quite vigorous in Shanghai. Unfortunately, our friend the Wild Boar had taken the precaution of making several copies of the piece.
Indy registers this as he takes a drink. Belloq watches him with disdainful amusement.
BELLOQ: How odd that it should end this way for us, after so many… stimulating encounters. I almost
regret it. Where shall I find a new adversary so close to my own level?
INDY: Try the local sewer.
BELLOQ: I know you despise me. We always hate in others that which we most fear in ourselves. And you and I are very much alike.
INDY: Now you’re getting nasty.
BELLOQ: We have always done the same kind of work. Our methods have not differed as much as you pretend. I am a shadowy reflection of you. But it would have taken only a nudge to make you the same as me, to push you out of the light.
There is a certain amount of truth to this; the recognition of it flickers across Indy’s bleary eyes. Belloq sees it there.
BELLOQ: You know it to be true! How nice. And how ironic the timing.
Belloq leans forward, eyes shining, voice suddenly different.
BELLOQ: Do you realize what the Ark is? (very intense) It’s a transmitter. A radio for talking to God! And now it is within my grasp.
INDY: What about your boss, Der Fuhrer? I thought he was waiting to take possession.
Belloq glances in the gloom at the German Henchmen.
BELLOQ: (quieter) When the time is right. When I am finished with it.
INDY: I hope your friends are patient. Dangerous work, Belloq.
BELLOQ: Yes. Very. You may consider yourself fortunate that your involvement concludes here.
INDY: Tell me, did you get away with the idol?
BELLOQ: (negative) I was lucky to get away with my life. The Hovitos proved quite narrow-minded about the whole matter.
Indy takes a drink.
INDY: You know, if it’s God you want to talk to, maybe I can arrange it.
BELLOQ: (smiles) You have not changed. But, please, do not reach for your weapon until you are ready to die.
— Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan, story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman
The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Rivalry. Today’s suggestion by Rob Peterson.
Trivia: An episode of “The Big Bang Theory” includes mention of a theory stated by the character Amy that Indiana Jones supposedly had no effect on the outcome since the Nazis actually did get the ark. This is false, however, because Belloq states in the beginning of the movie that following Indy around is his usual way of finding things, which is the basis of their rivalry. This along with scenes where Belloq is advising the Nazis indicate that Belloq has told the Nazis to follow Indy around until he leads them to the ark, as he has led Belloq to previous discoveries.
Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Rob: “Belloq cuts right to the core and it pains Indy, because he knows it’s true. They’re the same — philosophically, not physically (and that’s where Indy wins out) — only the goal is different. They are mercenaries who have have veered from a path.”
Note: Much of the dialogue in the script is cut from the movie version.