The Good Shepherd (2006)

William Hurt: Philip Allen

Photos 

Quotes 

• Philip Allen : [Referring to the chocolates he's eating]  They're from Switzerland. I had them sent with the pouch to Berlin.

  Philip Allen : [He offers one but is declined]  They're a weakness of mine. When I was a child, my mother would always reward me with a chocolate.

  Philip Allen : [He takes another]  It's a dreadful habit.

  Edward Wilson : Chocolates or seeking approval?

  Philip Allen : Both.

• Philip Allen : They're a weakness of mine. When I was a child, my mother would always reward me with a chocolate. It's a dreadful habit.

  Edward Wilson : The chocolates or seeking approval.

• [Ed Wilson at his desk in his office, Phillip Allen opens the door] 

  Philip Allen : May I come in?

  [Allen walks in, signals around, Ed starts bug countermeasures] 

  Philip Allen : You know I've never been in your office.

  Edward Wilson : How was the fishing?

  Philip Allen : It was a bad year. The water's too high.

  [walks closer] 

  Philip Allen : I understand you wanted to give me the Operation Zapata list yourself. There isn't one, is there?

  Edward Wilson : You know it was a silent operation.

  Philip Allen : It wasn't silent enough.

  [pause] 

  Philip Allen : I've been asked by the President to suggest who we no longer need with us.

  [pause] 

  Philip Allen : Who would you recommend, Edward?

  Edward Wilson : I serve at the pleasure of the director, Sir.

  [Allen exhales loudly] 

  Edward Wilson : I'm just the gatekeeper.

  Philip Allen : Why is it that people like us choose to serve for nickels a day in a profession that makes us constantly look over our shoulder to see who is watching us?

  Edward Wilson : When will you make a decision?

  Philip Allen : I serve at the discretion of the President of the United States. I will do what I think is best for the country.

  [Turns around. Walks towards the door] 

  Philip Allen : It's important we find out who's responsible. Good night.

  Edward Wilson : Good night.

• Philip Allen : You are going to have to learn, and as quickly and thoroughly as possible, the English system of intelligence, the black arts, particularly counterintelligence - the uses of information, disinformation, and how their use is ultimately... power. They have agreed to open up their operations to us - they can't win the war without us - but they don't really want us here... Intelligence is their mother's milk, and they don't like sharing the royal tit with people that don't have titles.

• Philip Allen : [Explaining to Wilson about the U.S./G.B. espionage relationship]  They've agreed to open up their operations to us. They can't win the war without us, but they don't really want us here. Intelligence is their mother's milk, and they don't like sharing the royal tit with people that don't have titles.

• Philip Allen : The Russians still live in the 19th century, beets and potatoes. All that will change dramatically. Right now, they are gobbling up territory, taking home every scientist they can steal. In 10 years, they'll have the bomb.