31 Years Later, Jurassic Park Fans Still Quote This Iconic Line!

For many viewers, Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park ranks among the greatest films in cinema history, not only because of its flawless script, breathtaking special effects, outstanding actors, and masterful direction. But that’s not all…

Impressive in many ways, this feature film adapted from Michael Crichton’s work was crafted with exceptional care in every aspect. The film’s dialogues, often striking and always remarkably effective, seem to have been sculpted with the same precision as the dinosaurs themselves.

• 22 years later, this line that captivated the hearts of millions of young viewers remains just as inspiring

A Wealth of Iconic Lines

“Life finds a way.” “Damn, I hate being right all the time.” “That is one big pile of s***.” “They do move in herds.”

Enhanced by the unfolding events around them, the thrilling one-liners cooked up by the film’s screenwriters (Michael Crichton and David Koepp, likely with Spielberg’s input) continue to echo in the hearts of fans more than 30 years after the movie’s release. Depending on your love for Jurassic Park, you might even find yourself frequently using them in your everyday life.

Yet, there is one line that stands a notch above the rest, and it might be considered the most famous of the film, perhaps because it is uttered five times by the character John Hammond.

“Spare no expense.”

Initially proclaimed as a mantra by the billionaire played by Richard Attenborough, it originally serves as a sales pitch to dazzle visitors to his park. But as setbacks pile up, he seems to repeat it to himself, trying to reassure himself about the viability of his ambitious project. When things go awry and the dinosaurs escape their enclosures, putting everyone at risk, he whispers it one last time to Ellie Sattler, and the four little words take on an entirely different tone.

In addition to beautifully highlighting John Hammond’s inner journey, this legendary line encapsulates the message of Jurassic Park, which remains as relevant as ever: before spending, those who claim to play with the forces of nature would do well to count the cost.

An Easily Quotable Phrase

The icing on the cake: beyond its symbolic and narrative significance, the billionaire’s little phrase is also very easy to slip into a conversation. For three decades, fans of Jurassic Park have regularly had fun using it in their daily lives, for instance, when they’ve gotten a bad deal, miscalculated an expense, or simply overfilled their plate.

The opportunities to drop a casual “Spare no expense” into a chat with friends are nearly limitless. Give it a try, you’ll see!

What’s your favorite line from Jurassic Park?

(Re)discover all the hidden details of the film…