The Fifth Element

The Fifth Element is a 1997 English-language French science fiction action film conceived and directed by Luc Besson, as well as co-written by Besson and Robert Mark Kamen. It stars Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich, and Chris Tucker. Primarily set in the 23rd century, the film's central plot involves the survival of planet Earth, which becomes the responsibility of Korben Dallas (Willis), a taxicab driver and former special forces major, after a young woman (Jovovich) falls into his cab. To accomplish this, Dallas joins forces with her to recover four mystical stones essential for the defence of Earth against the impending attack of a malevolent cosmic entity. Besson started writing the story that was developed as The Fifth Element when he was 16 years old; he was 38 when the film opened in cinemas. Besson wanted to shoot the film in France, but suitable facilities could not be found; filming took place in London and Mauritania instead. He hired comic artists Jean "Moebius" Giraud and Jean-Claude Mézières, whose books inspired parts of the film, for production design. Costume design was by Jean Paul Gaultier. The Fifth Element received mainly positive reviews, although some critics were highly negative. The film won in categories at the British Academy Film Awards, the César Awards, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Lumières Awards, but also received nominations at the Golden Raspberry and Stinkers Bad Movie Awards. The Fifth Element was a strong financial success, earning more than US$263 million at the box office on a $90 million budget. At the time of its release, it was the most expensive European film ever made, and it remained the highest-grossing French film at the international box office until the release of The Intouchables in 2011.

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I have a gun! Please, understand. They're our friends. Friends? Father, they've killed the Professor! They're monsters! I'll explain everything.

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- You're with them? - Look at me. I am your friend. - No, Father. - Billy, look at me! Please, put... the gun down. Billy, no!

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Hurry! The wall is closing! Here is your mission: Pass your knowledge to the next priest... as it was passed to you. I will do as you command, but... hurry, you still have time. Time not important. Only life... important.

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I will fulfill my mission! You can count on me!

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I will pass the knowledge until your return.

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Anything yet? - Not even a temperature? - The analyzers have jammed. One shows a million degrees, the others minus 5,000.

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Let's see it.

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It's taking shape.

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Send out a probe.

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Ladies and gentlemen... the President of the Federated Territories.

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On air with General Staedert in 30 seconds.

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I saved this seat for you, Father.

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President on the line. We're in position. I have to address the Supreme Council. Just the facts. There are no results from the chemical and molecular analysis yet. All the calibers are overshot. We're initiating thermonucleatic imaging. What you're saying is, you don't know what this is. All we know is, it just keeps getting bigger. Recommendation? My philosophy is shoot first and ask questions later. I don't like uninvited guests. All right, then. Mr. President?

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Priest Vito Cornelius, expert of astrophenomenon.

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I... have a different theory to offer you, sir. You have 20 seconds.

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Imagine that this... thing is not anything that can be identified... because it prefers not to be. Wherever there is life... it brings death... because it's evil. Absolute evil. One more reason to shoot first. Evil begets evil, Mr. President. Shooting will only make it stronger.

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Probe will obtain objective in five seconds.

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Growth rate is at 27%. Your theory is interesting, but we don't have time to go into it. Time is of no importance. Only life is important. You're right. That's exactly what we'll do. We'll protect the life of 200 billion of my fellow citizens. You may fire when ready. Up-front loading of a 120-ZR missile. Marker lights on the objective.

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Its structure solidified on the surface. I think it's anticipating the attack. That denotes intelligence. The most... terrible intelligence imaginable.

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120's loaded. The ship is in combat formation. Missiles are loaded. - Staedert. - Yes, sir. I have a doubt. I don't, Mr. President.

The Fifth Element