Albert Finney: Arthur Seaton

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

Arthur Seaton

Arthur Seaton: Mam called me barmy when I told her I fell of a gasometer for a bet. But I'm not barmy, I'm a fighting pit prop that wants a pint of beer, that's me. But if any knowing bastard says that's me I'll tell them I'm a dynamite dealer waiting to blow the factory to kingdom come. I'm me and nobody else. Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not because they don't know a bloody thing about me! God knows what I am.

Arthur Seaton: They have a television set and a packet of fags, but they're both dead from the neck up.

Arthur Seaton: Look I'll go and see me Aunt Ada, she'll know what to do, she's had 14 kids of her own and I'm sure she's got rid of as many others.

[last lines - Arthur throws a stone at the builder's shed on a new housing estate]
Doreen: What did you do that for?
Arthur Seaton: I don't know, just felt like it I suppose.
Doreen: Maybe one of those houses will be for us.
Arthur Seaton: I know.
Doreen: You shouldn't throw things like that.
Arthur Seaton: It won't be the last one I'll throw. C'mon duck, let's go down!

Doreen: Sharp, ain't he.
Arthur Seaton: Is it somebody's birthday?
Doreen: It's Mum's anniversary if you want to know.
Arthur Seaton: I can't see your dad.
Doreen: That's because he's not there.
Arthur Seaton: Well, is he coming?
Doreen: I shouldn't think so, he left her 15 years ago today and she's just having a drink on it.
Arthur Seaton: [laughs]
Doreen: Well I'm glad someone thinks it's funny.

Arthur Seaton: What's your name then duck?
Doreen: Doreen, rotten name ain't it.
Arthur Seaton: What's wrong with it? Mine's Arthur, neither of them's up to much but it's not our fault, is it.

Arthur Seaton: It's not the first time that bastard's called me a red though. Not that I wouldn't vote communist if I thought it would get rid of blokes like him.

[first lines]
Arthur Seaton: Nine hundred and fifty four, nine hundred and fifty bloody five. Another few more and that's the lot for a Friday.

Arthur Seaton: I'll have a fag in a bit, no use working every minute God sends. I could get through in half the time if I went like a bull, but they'd only slash my wages so they can get stuffed!

Arthur Seaton: Pour us some more tea duck, it's thirsty work falling down stairs.
Brenda: Two ain't it.
Arthur Seaton: You're good to me Brenda, love, and don't think I don't appreciate it.

Arthur Seaton: I dunno, work next week. I'll be hard at it, sweating me guts out at that lathe. It's a hard life if you don't weaken.

Arthur Seaton: What's the matter with you tonight?
Brenda: I'll tell you what's the matter with me Arthur, I'm pregnant, good and proper this time - and it's your fault.
Arthur Seaton: Oh aye, it's bound to be my fault isn't it.
Brenda: Well of course it is, you never take care, you just don't bother, always said this would happen one day.
Arthur Seaton: What a wonderful Friday night.

Bert: I noticed that girl myself this morning, smashing bit of stuff. I shouldn't think she'd want aught to do with a madhead like you though.
Arthur Seaton: They all want a good time you can bet.

Arthur Seaton: Brother home for long?
Jack: Fortnight. There's one thing about him though, you know, he'll always help me if I'm in any sort of trouble. If anyone does aught against me, I can always rely on him. I was with him and his pal once and we set on a bloke... I never want to do aught like that again.
Arthur Seaton: Aye but people like that should be careful though, never to pick on the wrong bloke. I saw a fight like that once, this was with two soldiers an' all. They set on to a bloke and he wiped the floor with the both of them. It was horrible, blood all over the place, I had to turn me 'ead away.

Arthur Seaton: That's what all these looney laws are for, to be broken by blokes like us.
Arthur Seaton: You might cop it one of these days.