


Screenplay by
Bill Forsyth
Music Composed by
Michael Gibbs
Theatrical Release Date
May 6, 1994
Laserdisc Release Date
September 28, 1994
DVD Release Date
April 20, 2010 (order)
Production Companies
Warner Bros., Enigma, BSB, Fujisankei, Goldcrest Films
International, NatWest Ventures, Pan Art Productions
Distribution Company
Warner Bros.

One man must learn the meaning of courage across four lifetimes, centuries apart.


Hector
If the world is round, you could still fall off the edge.
Boy
No, it's not round like that. It's like this.
Hector
Do you believe everything that Greek tells you?
Lucinnius
I don't feel so good about doing it now.
Hector
Well... you don't have to do it.
Lucinnius
We will do it with a knife, Hector, after everyone's asleep, the two of us.
Hector
I don't understand, I don't think I could help you die.
Lucinnius
You don't understand, do you? I'm asking you to die with me. You are my closest, dearest
slave! How would it look if you refused to die with me?
Priest
Hector, you must stay out of the way of temptation. I saw the way you were eyeing up that
widow, you stay away from that! If anyone is going to dally with that widow, it will be me. You couldn't
handle her, she'll bewitch you. Give me some bread.
Hector
No.
Priest
Well, ya little squirrel... what's wrong whitsha?
Hector
Nothing, I just said no! I brought you the bread because I was near the table, not because
you ordered me.
Priest
It's the woman... she's gotten to ya.
Hector
It's not the woman, I'm through with being your slave, I want to go my own way!
Priest
We'll go down the road, then home. The little ones that you talk about when you're drunk,
don't forget them.
Hector
I won't! I'm going home!
Priest
Bring me some wine.
Hector
No!
Priest
May the Lord forgive our sins... for the ones we have committed, and for the ones we have yet
to dream of.
Deserter #1
Hector! Hector, thank you for the fruit. Hector, promise me... when we die, you won't let them eat us!
Hector
Who said that?
Alvarez
It was a joke!
Deserter #1
You won't eat us... will you, Hector?
Hector
No, I won't eat you, Lupo.
Deserter #2
You won't eat me either... will you, Hector?
Hector
Oh God no! No offense.
Ursula
You're leaving? You're not staying with us?
Hector
No... I'm, I'm living, uuuhm, leaving with the others.
Hector
C'mon, Boris! It's never been this bad!
Boris
How is she?
Hector
How is she? She's a frickin' voodoo witch! She didn't break a single bone!
Hector
He's so distant, how can I get to him?
Janet
It's easy... all he wants is a hug.
Hector
No, that's not all.
Janet
He's been talking about it all week. When he was little, you used to squeeze him so
hard he couldn't breathe. He said, "I bet dad will do it when he picks us up."
Hector
When your mom and I split up, she said, "Don't lose the children." It didn't mean much
at the time, but she was right.
Hector
Everything is going to be all right.
Janet
What do you mean, "is going to be?" This is as good as it gets.
Hector
What do you mean?
Janet
I told you, dad, this may be the best moment of your life. How much better do you
want it?
Hector
Not much.
Janet
Enjoy it!
Hector
Thanks for the tip.
Janet
Hey Thomas! Come up here, your dad wants to hug you to death.
Thomas
That's been a while!
Hector
You're amazing.
Janet
You'll get used to it!


Robin Williams
Hector
John Turturro
Lucinnius
Jonathan Hyde
Francisco
Ewan McGregor
Alvarez
William H. Macy
Boris
Theresa Russell
Storyteller
Adam Bryant
Neighbor

From the dawn of time man has struggled for just four things: Food. Safety. Someone to love. And a pair of shoes that fit.

Dates
1993
Locations
Scotland, UK
London, England, UK
Morocco
New York, NY
San Francisco, CA
Shooting in Scotland took place in and around Glen Coe, Highlands; Glen Nevis, Fort William; Rannoch Moor, Highlands; and Ullapool, Highlands

Sweden
En Mänsklig historia
Brazil
Segredos da Vida
Finland
Ollaan ihmisiksi
Canada
Le Secret du bonheur (French title)
Germany
Wer hat meine Familie geklaut?
Hungary
Ember a talpán
Portugal
Gente Como Nós
Italy
Le cinque vite di Hector
France
Les mille et une vies d'Hector

Budget
$40,000,000
Gross
$1,519,366 (USA)
N/A (international)
$1,519,366 (total)
Opening Weekend
$764,011 (224 theaters)
Widest Release
224 theaters