26 quotes
The Gift of Friendship
Santa
I see you've made some new friends.
Billy
Yes, sir. I sure have.
Santa
That's a lucky lad. There's no greater gift than friendship.
A Journey of Belief and Imagination
Taglines
A film by ]
[from trailer; [w:Robert Zemeckis|Robert Zemeckis]
Chasing the Train Before the Tunnel
Hobo
That skirt you're chasing must've moved on ahead. We got to hightail it to the hog, pronto!
Hero Boy
To the hog?
[confused]
Hobo
The engine. The engine, you tenderfoot. We got to make the engine before we hit Flat Top Tunnel.
Hero Boy
How come?
Hobo
So many questions. There is but one inch of clearance between the roof of this rattler and the roof of Flat Top Tunnel. Savvy? It's just a run up to the hump, kid! This'll be interesting! Get back on, kid! Hurry! Grab my muck stick! There's only one trick to this, kid! When I say "jump"... ...you JUMP!!
[exasperated; slides backward and uses his muck stick on the handle, but Hero Boy slips off him; Hero Boy does so, and he swings him back on the roof and the sled down to the engine; Flat-Top Tunnel's eyes and teeth emit an orange smoke]
Hero Boy
You? I thought you got thrown off and-- You're driving the train?!
[to Hero Girl; dumbfounded]
Hero Girl
They put me in charge. The engineer had to check the light.
Smokey
Here's the light! Careful. All right, now!
[holding a light bulb for Steamer to install on the headlight]
Steamer
I got it!
Hero Boy
How do you know how?
Hero Girl
It's easy. Come here, I'll show you. This big lever here, that's the throttle. This little one here, that's the brake. And those are the pressure gauges. And that rope is the whistle.
Hero Boy
The whistle?
Hero Girl
Mm-hmm. You wanna try it?
Hero Boy
]
[does so and pulls the rope, blowing the whistle; [Back to the Future Part III|I've wanted to do that my whole life!; pulls the cord again]
Steamer
Hold still! Hold still! Don't move!
[finally installs the light bulb in the socket, turning the engine’s light back on]
Smokey
Look!
[sees something up ahead; points forward]
Steamer
Stop the train! Stop the train! Stop the train! STOP... THE... TRAIN!
[looks to where his twin is pointing and becomes alarmed, let go of Smokey's beard and he gets his head stuck in the engine's bell. He then takes a further look up ahead and yells out to Hero Girl]
Hero Boy
What?!
Hero Girl
They want us to stop the train.
The End of Childhood Beliefs
Father
He's gotta be asleep by now.
Mother
He used to stay awake all night, waiting for Santa.
Father
I think those days are just about over.
Mother
That would be sad if that were true.
[sadly]
Father
Yeah, an end of the ].
[[magic]
Mother
Merry Christmas, sweetheart.
[whispering; gives him a kiss as she and her husband turn to leave]
Father
See, he's out like a light. An express train wouldn't wake him up now.
Hero Boy
End of the magic"?
[thinking]
Urgent Call to Slow Down the Train
Hero Boy
We're going pretty fast.
Conductor
Tell the engineer to slow down.
Hero Girl
Slow it down! Watch the speed!
[calls to Smokey in the cab, but no response]
Steamer
Ah! Jumping jeepers, the cotter pin sheared off!
[unintentionally breaks the cotter pin holding the throttle]
Smokey
What?
Steamer
The pin!
Smokey
Where?
Steamer
There!
Smokey and Steamer
Oh, no!
Hero Girl
They can't hear me.
Conductor
They can't? I don't like the look of this. Quick, under the safety bar.
[notices that they are approaching two preposterous signs that read "Danger 179-degree grade" and "Use Low Gear", and gasps]
Hero Boy
Is every... Is everything alright? What should we do?!
[scared to death; The conductor pulls his robe belt off and ties it around the children to the safety bar.]
Conductor
Well, considering the fact that we have lost communication with the engineer, we are standing totally exposed on the front of the locomotive, the train appears to be accelerating uncontrollably, and we are rapidly approaching Glacier Gulch, which just happens to be the steepest downhill grade in the world, I suggest that we all hold on...TIGHTLY!!
[Hero Girl whimpers]
Smokey and Steamer
Whoa! The pin!
Conductor
Jiminy Christmas, the ice has frozen over the tracks!
A Present for Billy on Christmas Eve
Hero Boy
Hey, look! A present. It's going to my town. To someone named Billy!
[notices a present coming down]
Billy
My name is Billy!
Hero Girl
It's going to, uh... 11344 Edbrooke Avenue.
Billy
That's my address!
Imagining the Possibilities of Belief
Taglines
What if everything you ever imagined
[from trailer]
The Enduring Sound of Belief
Adult Hero Boy
At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell. But as years passed, it felt silent for all of them. Even Sarah found, one Christmas, that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me; as it does for all who truly believe.
[closing narration]
Midnight Departure Instructions for Passengers
Conductor
Alright. Alright, ladies and gentlemen. 2 columns, please. Shorter in the front, taller in the rear. Even-numbered birthdays on the right, odd-numbered on the left. No pushing. No pushing. But let's not dilly-dally, it's 5 minutes to midnight.
[organizing the children and lining them up]
Know-It-All
Hey, what gives? It was 5 minutes until midnight 4 minutes ago.
Conductor
Exactly! Columns of 2! 1, 2.
[counts the children]
Hero Girl
Excuse me.
[raises her hand]
Conductor
Question.
Hero Girl
What about him?
[points to Billy still alone in the observation car]
Conductor
No one is required to see Santa. Ladies and gentlemen, you do not have to hold hands...
[looks at Billy inside, thinking that Billy can choose to see Santa or not; to the children]
Hero Girl
Come on.
[to Hero Boy; They go to the observation car to convince Billy to come.]
Conductor
...but please remain in your columns while we are in transit.
[to the children]
Hero Girl
Look, you have to come with us.
[to Billy]
Hero Boy
She-She's right.
[agreeing]
Billy
Christmas just doesn't work out for me. It never has.
[feeling depressed and left out and thinking Christmas is not important to him]
Hero Girl
But Christmas is such a wonderful and beautiful time. It's a time for giving and being thankful, for friends and family. People hang decorations and lights. And then Santa comes and leaves presents under our Christmas trees.
Billy
Christmas just... doesn't work out for me.
[still unconvinced]
Hero Boy
Look, I don't know if Christmas is gonna work out for you or not, but this is Christmas Eve. Don't stay here by yourself.
[sighs]
Hero Girl
Yes, come with us. We'll go together.
Hero Boy
We're gonna be okay. MAYBE NOOOOOOOTT!! The emergency brake. The emergency brake! There's no brake. I CAN'T FIND THE BRAKE!!
[assuring; They get diverted onto another track downhill.; gasps; hurries to the front of the car]
Hobo
Take a break, kid! How bout a nice, good hot cup of Joe?
[materializes next to the manual brake]
The Joyful Anticipation of Christmas
Elves
It's the spirit of the season / You can feel it in the air / You can hear it if you listen everywhere, so much care, like a prayer, whatever it is, you need to share it It's the spirit of the season It's the spirit of the season / You can feel it in the air
[singing; the reindeer are lined up; the horns are played. The elves bring the harnesses out; Everyone cheers. The elves place the harnesses on the reindeer]
Hero Girl
Aren't those bells the most beautiful sound?
Elves
Oh, you better watch out / You better not cry / You better not pout; I'm telling you why / Santa Claus is coming... TO TOWN!!
[singing]
Hero Girl
He's here! He's here!
[elated]
Hero Boy
Where?!
[confused]
Billy
I see him! He's over there!
[ecstatic]
Hero Boy
I can't see him! I can't see him! I can't see him! Okay. Okay! I believe. I believe. I believe.
[the Conductor takes off his hat in respect. He's unable to see Santa, due to the elves stacking themselves on top of each other, blocking his view; suddenly, a loud clatter erupts from the reindeer, who prance about excitedly. The sequence begins to slow. A bell breaks loose from the harness and is thrown into the air. The bell falls back down, bounces on the ground and rolls right to him. He picks it up, and shakes the bell next to his ear, but cannot hear it; decided; closes his eyes; whispers; shakes the bell, and to his surprise, the bell he shakes makes a wonderful sound]
Emergency Brake Mishap on Christmas Eve
Conductor
WHO IN THE BLAZES APPLIED THAT EMERGENCY BRAKE?!
[angrily storms in]
Know-It-All
He did!
[points to Hero Boy]
Conductor
You! In case you didn't know, that cord is for emergency purposes only! And in case you weren't aware, tonight is Christmas Eve! And in case you hadn't noticed, this train is on a very tight schedule. Now, young man, Christmas may not be important to some people, but it is very important to the rest of us!
[sternly; approaches Hero Boy; waves his hand out the window to signal the engineer to get moving; closes the window; points to a number of the kids, and then to his own face]
Hero Boy
But-But-But I...
[appalled]
Hero Girl
He was just trying to stop the train so that kid could get on.
[points to the next car]
Conductor
Hmm. I see. Young man, is that what happened? Well... let me remind you, we are on a very tight schedule. A-And I've never been late before, and I'm certainly not going to be late tonight! Now, everybody, take your seats, please! Thank you. Your attention, please. Are there any Polar Express passengers in need of refreshment?
[calms down; Hero Boy and Hero Girl nod; checks watch; urgently yet sternly; all the children sit down; the train starts again; grabs his microphone]
Kids
Me! Me! Me!
[raising their hands]
Conductor
I thought so.
The Anticipation of Christmas Magic
Adult Hero Boy
On Christmas Eve, many years ago, I lay quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets. I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound I was afraid I'd never hear: The ringing bells of Santa's sleigh.
[opening narration]
Holiday Season Message of Belief
Taglines
This Holiday Season... Believe
[from trailer]
Christmas Journey in Jeopardy
Steamer
Caribou?! Ugh.
[the caribou sniffs in his face]
Conductor
There can be no Christmas without the Polar Express arriving on time! Am I the only one who understands that?! You! I should have known. Young man, are you bound and determined that this train never reaches the North Pole?
[sick and tired of all the delays tonight; enters the engine's cab; notices Hero Boy; Hero Boy stands up; angrily]
Hero Girl
But look!
[points outside]
Conductor
CARIBOU CROSSING?!
[looks outside, shocked]
Steamer
I make that herd to be at least 100,000, maybe even 1,000,000! It's gonna be HOURS before they clear this track!
Smokey
A tough nut to crack!
Conductor
Boy, we are in some serious jelly.
Steamer
And a jam.
Smokey
Tight spot!
Steamer
Up a creek.
Smokey
Up a tree!
Steamer
Lost in the grass.
Smokey
I'll tell you what's grass! Our a--
Conductor
Problem solved. All ahead, slow.
Time and Altitude in Uncertain Moments
Hero Girl
It's still 5 to! I think we're gonna make it!
Know-It-All
Of course. It's been 5 to for the last hour. We got plenty of time. We got nothing but time. We got time to kill.
Hero Boy
You know what? I don't think we're gonna make it.
Conductor
I may be just an old railroader and know nothing about lighter-than-air craft, but from my layman's perspective, you need more altitude!
Elves in crowd
MORE ALTITUDE!!
Elf over speaker
Altitude, please. A bit more altitude, please.
Zeppelin elves
Geronimo!
[jumping off]
Conductor
The flying elves. They are specialists. Do not try this at home, kids. Do not try that at home.
Journey to the North Pole Begins
Conductor
Well? You coming?
Hero Boy
Where?
[confused]
Conductor
Why, to the ], of course! This is the Polar Express!
[[North Pole]
Hero Boy
The North Pole?
[unsure]
Conductor
I see. Hold this, please. Thank you. Is this you?
Hero Boy
Yeah?
Conductor
Well, it says here: No photo with a department-store Santa this year, no letter to Santa. And you made your sister put out the milk and cookies. Mm-mm. Sounds to me like this is your crucial ]. If I were you... I would think about climbing onboard.
[[year]
Questioning the Train's Identity
Know-It-All
Hey! Hey, you. Yeah, you! Do you know what kind of train this is?
Hero Boy
Huh?
Know-It-All
Train, do you know what kind of train this is? Well, do you?
Hero Boy
Uh...
Hero Girl
Of course! It's a magic train. We're going to the North Pole.
Know-It-All
Ah, I know it's a magic train. Actually, it's a Baldwin 2-8-4 S-3 class Berkshire type steam locomotive, built in 1931 at the Baldwin Locomotive Works. It weighs 456,100 pounds and has a tractive force of 83,450 pounds. Its top speed is--
Hero Boy
Are we really going to the North Pole?
[overlapping]
Hero Girl
Mm-hmm.
Know-It-All
Hey, look, everybody!
Hero Girl
Isn't that wonderful?
Know-It-All
Herpolsheimer's! Herpolsheimer's! Wow, look at all those presents! I want ALL of em!
[the Polar Express went slowly past the Herpolsheimer's store outside]
Hero Girl
It's so Christmassy, cozy and beautiful.
Dreams and Reality in The Polar Express
Hero Girl
It's everything I dreamed it would be.
Billy
Could all this be nothing but a dream?
Hero Boy
No. (Not at all.)
[proudly]
The Struggle Between Belief and Skepticism
Hobo
What exactly is... is your persuasion... on the big man? Since you brought him up.
Hero Boy
Well, I... I want to believe, but--
Hobo
But... you don’t want to be bamboozled. You don't wanna be led down the primrose path! You don't wanna be conned or duped, have the wool pulled over your eyes. Hoodwinked. You don't wanna be taken for a ride, railroaded! Seeing is believing. Am I right?
[extinguishes his campfire]
Hero Boy
But what about this train?
Hobo
What about it?
Hero Boy
We're all going to the North Pole, aren't we?
Struggling to Escape Danger Together
Billy
Aah! Something's got me! It's got my leg!
Hero Girl
I can't hold him!
Hero Boy
Give me your other hand. Give me your other hand!
Billy
I can't!
Hero Boy
On 3! 1, 2, 3! Look!
[they yank Billy up, but he is still stuck; sees a hand grabbing Billy's foot]
Billy
It's still got me!
Hero Boy
On 3 again! 1, 2, 3! You!
[they yank Billy up again, and the person grabbing onto Billy is revealed to be the Know-It-All; shocked yet sternly]
Know-It-All
You?!
[feigning shock]
Hero Girl
What are you doing here?!
Know-It-All
Same as you, I'm checking out my Christmas presents. I wanna make sure I'm getting everything on my list. All I found was one present, and all it had was a bunch of stupid underwear!
The Must-See Holiday Film Experience
Taglines
Don't miss the holiday film of the season
Ticket Transfer and Consequences on the Train
Conductor
You mean, you have lost your ticket?
[to Hero Girl; incredulous]
Hero Boy
She didn't lose her ticket. I did. I was trying to return it to you, but the wind blew it out of my hand. You can have my ticket.
[shamefully; lowly; The conductor sighs. Hero Boy offers Hero Girl his ticket,]
Conductor
These tickets... are not... transferable. Young lady, you will just have to come along with me.
[exclaims and snatches the ticket; gives Hero Boy back his ticket]
Know-It-All
You know what's going to happen now, don't you? He’s gonna throw her off the train. Yeah, he's gonna probably throw her right off the rear platform. It’s standard procedure. That way, she won’t get sucked down under the wheels. They may slow the train down a little, but they're never gonna stop it.
[the others gasp and murmur in horror at this very thought; Hero Boy looks through the window and sees the conductor escorting Hero Girl to the very back of the train]
Hero Boy
Stop it"? That's it! I have to stop the train again!
[realizes]
Know-It-All
No, please, don’t do that again!
[worriedly]
Hero Boy
Where'd they go? What happened to them?! Please, she's in big trouble! You have to help me! Hey! HEY! I found your ticket! Wait! Hey! Wait! I have your ticket!
[to Billy; Billy doesn't respond.; then sees the shadows of both the conductor and the girl heading towards the engine after Billy looks up to show him. He then rushes towards the ladder of the observation car to chase after the two. The space is narrow, and he struggles to climb up, but he reaches the top and calls out to Hero Girl.; slowly struggles to move forward because of the snow and the winds. He then finds a campfire ahead and the hobo behind it. He is humming "Good King Wenceslas"]
Hobo
When the snow lay round bout, deep and crisp... Is there something I can do for you?
[humming; notices Hero Boy]
Hero Boy
I'm looking for a girl.
Hobo
A girl-? Aren't we all?!
[bursts out laughing]
Hero Boy
I have her ticket.
Hobo
Well, lookie. Lookie here. Oh, this is a... this is an official, authentic, genuine ticket to ride. Oh, you'd better keep this in a safe place, young man. If I was you, I keep all my valuables right here. Right here in the old size 13. ] shows this is the safest place. Not that I have much use for those. Tickets. Nah. I ride for free. Oh, yeah, yeah. I hop aboard this rattler anytime I feels like it. I own this train. Oh, yeah. It's like I'm the king of this train. Yeah. The king of the Pol Ex. In fact, I am the king OF THE NORTH POLE! Oh, where's my manners? Sit, sit. Sit. Take a... Take a load off. Hey, would you like some Joe? Nice hot refreshment. Perfect for a cold winter's night. There, bless you.
[takes the ticket; gives the ticket back to Hero Boy; shows his slipper; [Experience; Hero Boy places Hero Girl's ticket inside his slipper.; laughs; pours coffee and gives it to Hero Boy, who looks at it and takes a sip, but then coughs and chokes]
The Importance of Choosing the Journey
Conductor
One thing about trains: it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding... to get on.
[winks at Hero Boy]