# The Castle

The Castle is a 1997 Australian comedy film about an "ordinary" Australian family threatened by eviction by way of compulsory acquisition when the nearby airport announces its plans to expand. Unwilling to abandon their home - their "castle" - so easily, the Kerrigans take the matter to the courts with local solicitor Dennis Denuto.
    Directed by Rob Sitch. Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy and Rob Sitch

## Dale Kerrigan

* My name's Dale Kerrigan, and this is my story.
* As the real estate agent said, "Location, location, location", and we're right next door to the airport. It will be very convenient if we ever have to fly one day.
* Our crescent was going to be the heart of a major housing development, but it never got up. They reckon the planes put people off, them and the power lines. Not Dad. He reckons power lines are a reminder of man's ability to generate electricity. He's always saying great things like that.
* Pity my oldest brother couldn't be there. His name's Wayne. He's in jail. Eight years for armed robbery. Many people would call him the black sheep of the family, but not Mum and Dad. He got caught up with the wrong crowd - he didn't mean to rob the petrol station! Now he's sorry.
* Dad? I dug another hole. It's filling with water.
* If there's one thing dad loved more than serenity, it's a two-stroke motor at full throttle!
* Dad reckons fishing is 10% brains and 95% muscle, the rest is just good luck.
* Mum said it was funny how one day you're not famous, and the next day you are. Famous. And then you're not again.

## Darryl Kerrigan

* Shot, Dale!
* It's not a house, it's a home.
* This is going straight to the pool room.
* Tell 'em they're/he's dreamin'! (Numerous times throughout the movie when Steve asked Darryl if he'd like to buy something, which in Darryl's opinion is overpriced, hence the phrase.)
* [singing] We're going to Bonnie Doon! We're going to Bonnie Doon!
* How's the serenity?
* Hey. Bad luck. [pause] Ya dickhead!
* [To opposing court counsel in the high court hearing] Suffer in your jocks!
* [To opposing court counsel in the high court hearing] What are you calling an eyesore? It's a home, ya dickhead!!

## Others

* Dennis: In summing up it's the constitution, it's Mabo, it's justice, it's law, it's the Vibe and, no that's it, it's the vibe. I rest my case.
* Farouk: He say plane fly overhead, drop value. I no care. In Beirut, plane fly over head, drop bomb. I like these planes better.
* Farouk: I say you have friend, I have friend. My friend go to your house, put bomb under your car and blow you to fucking sky!
* Steve Kerrigan: Dad, you haven't let anyone down. I don't know what the opposite of lettin' someone down is... but you done the opposite.
* Darryl Kerrigan: fuck off! Steve Kerrigan: You heard my dad, now fuck off!
* Steve Kerrigan: Dad, there's a guy selling seven eskies...

## Dialogue

    Dale: [narration] Steve is also an ideas man. That's why Dad calls him the Ideas Man. He has lots of ideas.
    Steve: It's a motorcycle helmet with a built-in brake light.
    Darryl: [shaking his head] You are an ideas man, Steve.
    Wayne: How's Mum?
    Dale: Good.
    Wayne: How's Dad?
    Dale: Good.
    Wayne: How's Trace?
    Dale: Good.
    Wayne: How're you?
    Dale: Good.
    Wayne: How's Steve?
    Dale: He's alright.
    Wayne: Good.
    Dale: [narration] Even though he's the oldest and I'm the youngest, we get on great. We can just chat for hours.
    Wayne: Thanks for coming, Dale.
    Dale: You want some chewy?
    Wayne: Nah.
    Darryl: [pointing at the verandah] See that lattice up there?
    Valuer: Yeah?
    Darryl: Fake. Plastic. Gives the place a Victoriana feel. Chimney? Fake too.
    Valuer: Why's it there?
    Darryl: Charm. Adds a bit of charm.
    Darryl: Now, here back? Landfill. Not allowed to build there.
    Valuer: Has the soil been tested?
    Darryl: Oh yeah. Nothing too serious in there. [pause] What do you know about lead?
    Darryl: I'll be interested to see this fella's valuation.
    Dale: You thinking of selling, Dad?
    Darryl: Oh, no, mate, no, but it'd be nice to know what we're sitting on.
    Dale: [nodding] Clay.
    Federal Court judge: And what law are you basing this argument on?
    Darryl Kerrigan: The law of bloody common sense!
    Darryl Kerrigan: Ay Steve, can you move the Camira? I need to get the Torana out to get to the Commodore.
    Steve Kerrigan: Sure thing Dad, but I'll have to get the keys to the Cortina if I'm gunna move that Camira.
    Darryl Kerrigan: Alright mate, just watch the boat.

## Taglines

* Ordinary family. Extraordinary story.
* It's every Australian family's dream. A quarter acre block. A Pool Room. A barbie. And an airport over the back fence.
* They want to extend the airport... But the Kerrigans won't belt up.
* It's not just a house... it's a home!

## Cast

* Michael Caton as Darryl Kerrigan
* Anne Tenney as Sal Kerrigan
* Stephen Curry as Dale Kerrigan
* Anthony Simcoe as Steve Kerrigan
* Sophie Lee as Tracey Petropoulous (nee Kerrigan)
* Wayne Hope as Wayne Kerrigan
* Tiriel Mora as Dennis Denuto
* Eric Bana as Con Petropoulous
* Charles "Bud" Tingwell as Lawrence Hammill QC

## External links

* The Castle quotes at the Internet Movie Database
* The Castle at Rotten Tomatoes