White Hunter Black Heart (1990)

Jeff Fahey: Pete Verrill

Photos 

Quotes 

• Pete Verrill : [looking at elephants through binoculars]  Oh. I've never seen one before, outside the circus or the zoo. They're so majestic. So indestructible. They're part of the earth. They make us feel like perverse little creatures from another planet. Without any dignity. Makes one believe in God.

  [chuckles] 

  Pete Verrill : In the miracle of creation. Fantastic. They're part of a world that no longer exists, Hod. Feeling of unconquerable time.

  Hodkins : You certainly have a way with words, Pete. No wonder you're a writer.

• Pete Verrill : You're either crazy or the most egocentric, irresponsible son of a bitch that l've ever met. You're about to blow this whole picture out of your nose, John. And for what? To commit a crime. To kill one of the rarest, most noble creatures that roams the face of this crummy earth... In order for you to commit this crime, you're willing to forget about all of us and let this whole goddamn thing go down the drain.

  John Wilson : You're wrong, kid. It's not a crime to kill an elephant. It's bigger than all that. It's a sin to kill an elephant. Do you understand? lt's a sin. It's the only sin that you can buy a license and go out and commit. That's why l want to do it before l do anything else in this world. Do you understand me? Of course, you don't. How could you? I don't understand myself.