Bullitt (1968) - Quotes

A Unique Approach to Law Enforcement

Taglines: Detective Lt. Frank Bullitt - some other kind of cop. Pity the guy he works for.

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A Mysterious Identity Beyond Being a Cop

Taglines: The word cop isn't written all over him - something more puzzling is.

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Bullitt: A Classic Action Movie Icon

Taglines: Steve McQueen As Bullitt

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Bullitt: The Distinction Between Good and Bad Cops

Taglines: There are bad cops and there are good cops - and then there's Bullitt.

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Authority and Autonomy in Law Enforcement

Captain Bennet: Play it by the book from now on.

Bullitt: Does Chalmers run the case, or do I?

Captain Bennet: All I'm interested in is results. Do whatever you think is best. I'll try to back you up.

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A Clash of Integrity and Ambition

Chalmers: [pause] He's still my witness. I'll be delighted to let you have him after he testifies tomorrow. The organization... several murders, could do us both a great deal of good.

Bullitt: Look Chalmers, let's understand each other... I don't like you.

Chalmers: Oh come on now, don't be naïve lieutenant. We both know how careers are made. Integrity is something you sell the public.

Bullitt: You sell whatever you want, but don't sell it here tonight.

Chalmers: Frank, we must all compromise.

Bullitt: Bullshit! Get the hell out of here, now.

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Miscommunication in a High-Stakes Investigation

Chalmers: [mistaking the identity of the man in the photo] Ross.

Captain Bennett: [reading the passport information on the fax] Albert Edward Rennick, used car salesman, Chicago.

Chalmers: [puzzled] Who's Rennick?

Bullitt: [picking up a copy of the fingerprint check proving the man's identity] He was the man who was shot at the Hotel Daniels. You sent us to guard the wrong man, Mr. Chalmers.

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Passport Issues and Immigration Coordination

Delgetti: No passports, no tickets.

Bullitt: Call Immigration in Chicago, have them wire Rennick's passport application, I'll get a fingerprint check on Ross.

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The Impact of Time on Relationships

Cathy: Your world is so far from the one I know. What will happen to us in time?

Bullitt: Time starts now.

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Unexpected Gratitude in a Routine Encounter

Desk Clerk: Am I helping you, sir?

Delgetti: I never had it so good.

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Questioning the Chain of Knowledge

Chalmers: Now what went wrong lieutenant?

Bullitt: Who else knew where he was?

Chalmers: [irritated] What?

Bullitt: Who else knew where he was?

Chalmers: What are you implying?

Bullitt: Well, they knew where to look for him and used your name to get in.

Chalmers: Are you suggesting I disclosed his whereabouts?

Bullitt: Somebody did. And it didn't come from us.

Chalmers: That's hardly the issue.

Bullitt: Well, it certainly is. I, I've got an officer with a family. And he's shot up pretty bad.

Chalmers: Em'em, and I've got a witness that can't talk.

Bullitt: I want to know about Ross. What is the deal you had with him?

Chalmers: Deal? Lieutenant don't try to evade the responsibility. In your "parlance", you blew it. You knew the significance of his testimony, yet you failed to take adequate measures to protect him. So to you it was a job, no more. Were it more, and you'd the dedication I was led to believe.

Bullitt: You believe what you want. You work your side of the street, and I'll work mine.

Chalmers: Lieutenant I shall personally officiate at your public crucifixion, if Ross doesn’t recover during the course of the hearings so I can at least present his deposition. And I assure you I shall not suffer the consequence of your incompetence. And even if there wasn’t any, I’m rather certain I can prove negligence on your part.

Investigation into Ross's Betrayal

Captain Bennett: I got the report back from the lab, nothing at the hotel. How come they got in?

Bullitt: Ross got to the door, unhooked the chain, from the inside.

Captain Bennett: He let the killers in himself? Well ah, why would he do a thing like that?

Bullitt: I'm waiting to ask him.

Captain Bennett: What about the setup? What do you think about that?

Bullitt: Shotgun and a backup man. Professionals.

Captain Bennett: Yep.

A Brother's Disappearance and Consequences

Pete Ross: This is Pete.

Telephone voice: Yeah

Pete Ross: We lost him.

Telephone voice: He's your brother, Ross. If you can't find him, we have people who will. And you're paying for the contract.

Demand for Integrity and Accountability

Walter Chalmers: I do not choose to have people accuse me of false promises for the sake of cheap sensationalism, or to be compromised by your lieutenant. Castrate him.