Too Big to Fail (2011 TV Movie)

Paul Giamatti: Ben Bernanke

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Quotes 

• Ben Bernanke : I spent my entire academic career studying the Great Depression. The depression may have started because of a stock market crash, but what hit the general economy was a disruption of credit. Average citizens unable to borrow money, to do anything. To buy a home, start a business, stock their shelves. Credit has the ability to build a modern economy, but lack of credit has the ability to destroy it, swiftly and absolutely. If we do not act, boldly and immediately, we will replay the depression of the 1930s, only this time it will be far, far worse. We don't do this now, we won't have an economy on Monday.

• Ben Bernanke : I don't really understand why there needs to be so much tension about this. The country is facing the worst economy since the Great Depression. If the financial system collapses, it will take every one of you down.

• Ben Bernanke : [Having breakfast with Henry Paulson]  Lehman's down another 10%.

  Henry Paulson : You are not gonna let me get down a single bite, are you?

  Ben Bernanke : This is why I have oatmeal.

• Ben Bernanke : [about the Chinese]  Was it a threat?

  Henry Paulson : No, no. A friendly reminder... that with a single phone call to Moscow they could take down the entire U.S. economy.

• Timothy Geithner : The markets can't open Monday without a resolution of Morgan Stanley. We really need you to do a deal.

  Ben Bernanke : You need to call Jamie.

  John Mack : I called Jamie. He doesn't want us. There's too much overlap.

  Timothy Geithner : We've spoken to him. He'll do it.

  John Mack : For what, a dollar? Why would I do that? I got China Investment and Mitsubishi kicking my tires.

  Timothy Geithner : I know those guys. They're not gonna close a deal in time. We want you to call Jamie.

  John Mack : Let me ask you a question. 35,000 jobs just disappeared in this city between AIG, Lehman and Bear. We make a deal with Jamie, he'll fire 20,000 Morgan Stanley employees. You think that's good public policy?

  Ben Bernanke : John, we are looking at the whole system here.

• Ben Bernanke : Turns out a bazooka's not that useful unless you fire it.