Field of Dreams Quotes
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Source: Field of Dreams
Speaker: A mysterious voice
If you build it, he will come.
Context
This line is spoken by a mysterious voice, voiced by Ray Liotta, in the movie Field of Dreams, directed by Phil Alden Robinson (1989).
Played by Kevin Costner (back when he was still a sex symbol), Ray Kinsella is a farmer with daddy issues who, while making his way through his cornfield at twilight, hears a ghostly Voice whisper this prophecy in his ear. The Voice keeps repeating the line and eventually shows Ray a vision of his cornfield turned into a baseball diamond.
Rather than immediately getting on a heavy dose of Perazine, Ray mows down his corn and makes the diamond a reality. Luckily for him, the Voice is like God or something, because soon the field is packed with ghostly baseball players—including the once-disgraced Shoeless Joe Jackson. Oh, and eventually the ghost of Ray's dad shows up and Ray mends all his daddy issues. Who needs therapy, right?
Where you've heard it
Clocking in at #39 on AFI's list of top movie quotes, this one's been referenced and spoofed like crazy in a ton of other movies and shows. Most recently, it got a shout-out in a Better Call Saul episode called "Marco." Also, the popular misquote "If you build it, they will come" was heard on episodes of Bones, House, Tosh.0, Robot Chicken, and more.
Additional Notable References
Movies
- Pretty Woman
- Carnosaur (a real classic)
- The Cable Guy
- Save Me
- Gingerbread Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver (we're not making this up)
- The Big Year
- Muppets from Space
TV
- Mystery Science Theater 300
- Married With Children
- The Nanny
- Law and Order
- Gilmore Girls
- Torchwood
- ER
- Brothers and Sisters
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
This one won't make you sound snooty, but if that long list of places it's been referenced tells you anything, it's that it's kinda played out. We suggest you keep it fresh if you want to be the witty one at the party.