The Dead Zone (1983)

Martin Sheen: Greg Stillson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Greg Stillson : The missiles are flying. Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

• Greg Stillson : Put your hand on the scanning screen, General, and you'll go down in history with me!

  Five Star General : As what? The world's greatest mass murderers?

  Greg Stillson : You cowardly bastard! You're not the voice of the people, *I* am the voice of the people! The people speak through *me,* not you...! It came to me, Sonny; in the middle of the night, it came to me. I must get up now, *right now,* and fulfill my destiny!

  [to the General] 

  Greg Stillson : Now, you put your goddamned hand on that scanning screen, or I'll chop it off and put it on there for you! *Do it!*

  Five Star General : ...May God forgive me.

  [He does as he's told, then Stillson completes the sequence and pushes "The Button"] 

• [Wanting Roger Stuart to be a part of his campaign] 

  Greg Stillson : I need your support, I need your expertise, I need your input, and most importantly, I need your money.

  [laughter] 

• Greg Stillson : I have had a vision that I am going to be President of the United States someday, and I have accepted that responsibility. And nobody, and I mean *nobody*, is gonna stop me.

• Greg Stillson : My God! What a glorious day!

  Sonny Elliman : Amen!

• [Stillson has just realized a photographer took photos of him using Denny, Sarah's child, as a human shield & realized what this will do to his career. He turns angrily to Sonny, his security detail chief] 

  Greg Stillson : [shouting]  Where's that kid with the camera? He was taking pictures!

  Sonny Elliman : [Disgusted]  I didn't see him!

  Greg Stillson : [Furious]  You asshole!

• Greg Stillson : Let's send Greg Stillson to the United States Senate - and mediocrity to hell!

• Roger Stuart : [watching Greg Stillson on TV]  Do you believe this guy? He's just getting warmed up. Gonna vote for him, John?

  Johnny Smith : I'm not even registered.

  Roger Stuart : You're not registered?

  Johnny Smith : No.

  Roger Stuart : Well, get registered, pal, and vote against this turkey. He's dangerous.

  Greg Stillson : ...my opponent. And I see all around me so many unemployed. What are you people doing here in the middle of the day? Middle of a workday! You're standing out in the cold! Look around. Look at each other. How do you feel about each other? Are you proud of your communities? Would you send the guy next to you to the U.S. Senate? Huh? You can't even trust your own local people. You don't feel good about yourself!

  Roger Stuart : A real man of the people. Jesus, what an act. Can't they see through this guy?

  Johnny Smith : I'm mixed up. You both acted like you were friends this morning.

  Roger Stuart : Guys like Stillson, you got to walk a thin line. You can't get too close, 'cause if they lose, they'll drag you down with 'em. On the other hand, if he wins - and this turkey just might - you got to make sure you're thought of as a good friend.

• Greg Stillson : You can just imagine how I felt when one of my loyal staff people brought me your editorial that's gonna hit the streets tomorrow. You don't seem to like me, Brenner, but that's okay, 'cause I don't like you, either.

  Brenner : How did you get that?

  Greg Stillson : Well, like you, Brenner, I'm not at liberty to reveal my sources.

  Brenner : Well, it doesn't make any difference, because you're right. That editorial is gonna hit the streets tomorrow morning.

  Greg Stillson : Not if we can make a deal.

  Brenner : What the hell are you talking about?

  Greg Stillson : I'm talking about you staying out of the campaign business and me staying out of the publishing business. Show him what we got to publish, Sonny.

  Sonny Elliman : [flipping through photographs]  That's your best shot.

  Greg Stillson : I got lots of loyal people on my side, Brenner. That young lady in the photographs with you is one of 'em. Now, I've never met Mrs. Brenner, but I'm damn near sure that ain't her. What do you think, Sonny?

  Sonny Elliman : [picking up a photograph from the frame Stillson smashed]  Mrs. Brenner?

  [comparing the photographs] 

  Sonny Elliman : Doesn't look like her.

  Brenner : You son of a bitch, you set me up!

  Sonny Elliman : Who you calling son of a bitch?

  Greg Stillson : No, it's all right, Sonny. Let's give, uh, Mr. Brenner a chance to think about his wife and kids and his position in the community.

  Brenner : What if I don't make a deal, Stillson?

  Greg Stillson : Oh, you'll make a deal. Otherwise, I'll have my friend Sonny take your God damn head off.