30 quotes
Confronting Racial Stereotypes in Tense Dialogue
John McClane
You know how to pick this lock?
Zeus Carver
Is this some black shit again?
John McClane
Will you stop with that racial shit?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning the Value of Interrogation
Zeus
What are you doing?
McClane
Interrogating him.
Zeus
And what's he gonna tell you? "I'm dead"?
McClane
Well, I ain't gonna know til I ask him, now, am I?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Stolen Dump Trucks and a Landlady's Plan
Ricky Walsh
Next, fourteen dump trucks stolen from a yard in Staten Island. Fourteen! Jesus! Somebody starting a construction company?
Joe Lambert
No, it was John's landlady, gonna clean his apartment.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Discussion on a Potential Problem
Federal Reserve Guard #1
Whaddaya think, guys? Will you have to fix it?
Deputy Marshal #1
Yeah it's tippin alright.
[inspecting the alarms]
Federal Reserve Guard #1
I'll be right back.
[He opens the door and finds Simon pointing a gun at his head. He immediately dives to the floor and draws his gun, but the two repairmen are now pointing submachine guns at him and his comrade]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tension Escalates During a Crisis Situation
Mischa
Front desk.
Federal Reserve Guard #2
Yes, call the police! Get your ass down here right now! I'm under attack!
Mischa
Hey, just relax mate! Maybe you'll live through this!
Simon Gruber
I think he's dead, my dear.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Humor Amidst Tension in Crisis Situation
Zeus Carver
Watch-it, watch-it, watch-it, watch-it--Are you aiming for these people?
John McClane
No! Maybe that mime.
[Wilhelm scream is heard from a pedestrian jumping out of the way]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Identifying a Notorious Criminal in Conversation
Dr. Fred Schiller
These people don't like to work anonymously. They want you to know who's doing it to you. So this name Simon is probably not an alias. It's probably Simon or some variation.
Joe Lambert
Simon, Robert E. Busted in 86. Extortion. Kidnapping. 10 to 15. Did 7 years for good behavior. Released on a state work furlough two months ago.
[reads information off of a rap sheet]
Inspector Cobb
Check it.
[Rick tosses something to McClane]
John McClane
Thanks, Rick. Bob Simon was a bankrupt businessman who kidnapped his partner's daughter. He's a fuck-up, not a psycho. The guy we're looking for is nuts.
Charles Weiss
A nut who knows a lot about bombs. We found this in a playground. Professional. Very cool stuff! You know … Boom!
[comes in; thuds the bomb on Cobb's desk]
Inspector Walter Cobb
You think you should slam it around like that, Charlie?
Charles Weiss
It's unmixed. You can't hurt it. This stuff is cutting edge. It's a binary liquid.
Inspector Walter Cobb
A what?
Charles Weiss
Like epoxy. Two liquids. Now, either one by itself … you got nothing. But, mix em … : Ricky?
[puts a dab of the clear liquid on Cobb's desk; hits it with his shoe; dabs a paperclip in the red liquid, swirls it into the clear; Ricky Walsh moves aside and Charlie throws the paperclip at a chair. The mixture explodes and pops the chair up, startling everyone]
Connie Kowalski
Charlie, you're gonna be wearin that chair up your ass!!
[pissed]
Inspector Walter Cobb
Christ almighty, Charlie!
Charles Weiss
Like I said, very cool stuff. Now, with a package like this, you get a warning. Now, the bomb has to arm itself. You'll see the red liquid pump into the clear before it detonates.
[pretending to have not heard them]
John McClane
How long before?
Charles Weiss
Ten seconds, two minutes, it could be anything. But once it's mixed...be somewhere else.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Value of Money and Perception of Wealth
Simon Gruber
One hundred forty billion dollars! Ten times what's in Kentucky! Fort Knox? HA! It's for tourists!
[tosses a gold brick to one of his comrades, who nearly drops it because of the weight]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation between McClane and Gruber
John McClane
Say hello to your brother!
[prepares to shoot a wire down on Simon's helicopter; shoots down the wire]
Simon Gruber
Get out of here!
[sees what McClane did]
John McClane
Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Emergency Situation in the Subway System
Ricky Walsh
Yeah, yeah we snapped a couple of the steam pipes, it's like a sauna. We got the subway guys to shut down the third rail.
[We see two of Simon's men using syringe guns on the two cops sent to escort them]
Foreman
Emergency lighting?
Ricky Walsh
And there's still some … HEY!
[He hears Otto drawing a pistol; Otto shoots him twice]
Foreman
No shooting!! Speak English!
[Otto replies in German; The two other henchmen, who have donned the cops' uniforms, step past Otto]
First "Cop
Otto doesn't speak English! Do ya, Otto?
Foreman
Where the hell did we get this guy?
Second "Cop
He's one of Targo's thugs!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unexpected Responses in a Tense Conversation
Zeus Carver
Hey, who was the twenty-first President?
Man
Go fuck yourself!
Zeus Carver
That dude was pissed!
John McClane
He'll feel better when he looks in the back seat.
Zeus Carver
Oh, shit, that was my gold bar!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Recognition of a Familiar Name
FBI Agent in van
Does the name Gruber mean anything to you, Lieutenant?
John McClane
It rings a bell, yeah.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Record-Breaking Journey Through the City
Zeus Carver
How do Catholics do their thing?
John McClane
North, South, West, East. How much time?
[Zeus crosses himself in those directions]
Zeus Carver
27 minutes.
John McClane
Ha! 72nd and Broadway to Central Park South in three minutes! It's gotta be a fuckin record!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Over Racial Remarks in Dialogue
Zeus Carver
You were gonna call me a nigger, weren't you?
John McClane
No, I wasn't!
Zeus Carver
Yes, you were!
John McClane
No!
Zeus Carver
Then what were you gonna call me?!
John McClane
ASSHOLE! How's that, asshole?! What, you got some fuckin problem with me cause I'm white, Zeus?! Is that it?! Have I oppressed you?! Have I oppressed your people somehow?! I'll tell you what your fuckin problem is! You're a racist!
Zeus Carver
What?!
[Stunned]
John McClane
You're a racist! You don't like me cause I'm white!
Zeus Carver
I don't like you because you're gonna get me killed!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Urgent Call for Help in Crisis Situation
Zeus Carver
Dial 911. Tell the police to get up here quick. Somebody's about to get killed. And get your butts to school, you hear me?
Raymond Carver
Yeah.
[casually]
Dexter Carver
Yeah.
Zeus Carver
Morning.
John McClane
Good morning.
Zeus Carver
You having a nice day, sir? You feelin all right? Not to get too personal, but a white man standing in the middle of Harlem wearing a sign that says "I Hate Niggers" has either got some serious personal issues, or not all his dogs are barking. Hey, I'm talking to you! Now you've got about ten seconds before those guys see you, and when they do, they will kill you, you understand? You are about to have a very bad day.
[A car passing by honks its horn in response to McClane's message; McClane yawns]
John McClane
Tell me about it, Sir this is a police matter, for your own safety I'm gonna have... .
Zeus Carver
You damn right it's a police matter, for you're own safety I suggest you hide your butt in my shop till the police get here.
Black Gang Member
WHAT THE FUCK?!
Zeus Carver
Oh shit.
[looks to see the Gang Member at McClane with the sign]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cop on a Case in Crisis
John McClane
Listen, I'm a cop.
Zeus Carver
What?
John McClane
I'm on a case. Somebody blew Bonwit Teller's an hour ago. Did you hear about that on the news?
Zeus Carver
Yeah.
John McClane
The same asshole that did that said I gotta come to Harlem and do this, or he's gonna blow up somethin else, do you understand?
Zeus Carver
Shit, shit...
[muttering]
John McClane
Listen I got a gun.
Zeus Carver
They got ten guns.
John McClane
When you get across the street, you should get across the street.
Zeus Carver
Look, start acting crazy, alright?
John McClane
What?
Zeus Carver
Like Looney Tunes, you know like Bellevue?
Black Gang Leader
Hey, Zeus. Is he a friend of yours?
Zeus Carver
He look like a friend of mine? I think this dude has just escaped from some hospital. You know, like Bellevue?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unexpected School Interruption and a Sales Pitch
Raymond
Yo, uncle!
Dexter
Come look at this!
Zeus Carver
It's ten after 9:00. Why aren't you in school?
[looks at watch]
Raymond
Tony wants to sell you this.
Zeus Carver
Tony? That no-neck dude they call "Bad T"?
Dexter
He says he found it in a dumpster.
Zeus Carver
If he keeps stealin from people, they're gonna find him in a dumpster.
Raymond
No, he didn't steal it! He says his uncle gave it to him.
Zeus Carver
Mmmm-hmmm? Hand me that newspaper over there.
Zeus Carver
Don't ever let people use you. You're running all over town with stolen property! If you get caught, you get in trouble while he gets to deny the whole thing and walk away.
Dexter
Y-You mean, you want us to take it back to Tony?
Zeus Carver
No, I'll take it back to Tony … with a message.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Navigating the Best Route South
Zeus Carver
But Wall Street is south!
John McClane
Stop yelling! I got a headache! And the best way south is not 9th Avenue. It's through the park.
Zeus Carver
Oh, dear.
[sees a narrow gap between two cars]
Zeus Carver
I told you Park Drive is always jammed!
John McClane
I didn't say "Park Drive". I said "through the park".
[turns the cab and drives onto the sidewalk, cutting through Central Park]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Navigating the City: A Misguided Route
Zeus Carver
I used to drive a cab. The fastest way to –
[yells as McClane speeds off; McClane runs a red light, barely avoiding collision with several cars]
John McClane
You were saying?
Zeus Carver
I was saying, I used to drive a cab, and 9th Avenue is the fastest way south. But we seem to be going east.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Pursuit of Knowledge in Unexpected Places
Zeus
Now, where you goin'?
Dexter
School.
Zeus
Why?
Raymond
To get educated.
Zeus
Why?
Dexter
So we can go to college.
Zeus
And why is that important?
Dexter
To get espect.
Zeus
Respect. Now, who's the bad guys?
Dexter
Guys who sell drugs.
Raymond
Guys who have guns.
Zeus
And who's the good guys?
Dexter
We're the good guys.
Zeus
Who's gonna help you?
Raymond
Nobody.
Zeus
So who's gonna help you?
Dexter
We're gonna help ourselves.
Zeus
And who do we not want to help us?
Dexter and Raymond
White people!
Zeus
That's right. Now get on out of here. Go to school.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unexpected Identities in Conversation
John McClane
Are you a truck driver?
[to Jerry after thinking he's one of Simon's men]
Jerry
No, I'm a beautician! Of course I'm a truck driver!
[sarcastically]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Tense Exchange Between McClane and Carver
John McClane
That cut deep?
Zeus Carver
How the hell would I know?
John McClane
Just keep pressure on it.
Zeus Carver
Oh, fuck!
John McClane
Jesús, right? John McClane. I owe you one. Thanks for-
Zeus Carver
Damn right, you owe me! Do you have any idea what those guys are doing to my shop right now?
John McClane
Chill out, Jesús.
Zeus Carver
Chill out? What the fuck? Are you trying to relate to me? Talk like a white man!
John McClane
Look, Jesús, I'm sorry you got involved!
Zeus Carver
Why're you calling me "Jesús"? Do I look Puerto Rican to you?
John McClane
The guy back there called you Jesús.
Zeus Carver
He didn't say "Jesús," he said "Hey, Zeus!" My name is Zeus.
John McClane
Zeus?
Zeus Carver
Yeah, Zeus! As in Father of Apollo? Mount Olympus? Don't-fuck-with-me-or-I'll-shove-a-lightning-bolt-up-your-ass Zeus! You got a problem with that?
John McClane
No...no, I don't have a problem.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unexpected Methods of Getting Attention
Zeus Carver
You've got a hell of a way of flagging somebody down!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Urgent Phone Call Amidst Hostile Situation
Zeus Carver
I have to answer that phone.
[slowly]
Transit Cop
Get em up!
Zeus Carver
Look, if you have to shoot me, then you go ahead, and you shoot me! But I have to answer this phone, alright?! I'm here.
[picks up the receiver]
Simon Gruber
And McClane?
Zeus Carver
He's on his way. Uh, you know, he's a little slow. He's kinda outta shape.
Simon Gruber
The rules applied to both of you. I'm afraid this is noncompliance. Goodbye.
[hangs up. The screeching of wheel flanges can be heard from inside the tunnel]
Zeus Carver
Trust me guys. Duck.
[He immediately assumes the brace position. The downtown #3 train that the bomb has been planted in enters the station. At the back of the tenth car, McClane smashes the panel on the door and throws the bomb out onto the tracks. As he does that, the front wheels of the first car pass over a trip wire over the inner rail that activates the detonator. The bomb goes off in midair, causing the last car to separate from the wheel bogies. The carbody slides along the island platform, taking out the station columns and signs, emitting a large plume of dust at the station entrances on the street. The transit cop stands still, petrified at the scene]
Zeus Carver
Get down!
[He pulls the transit cop under the stairs. The derailed car hits the stairway and turns on its side]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Discussion of a Gold Heist Plan
John McClane
There's gold in the Federal Reserve, and they took a shitload of it! They're heading north in dump trucks!
Inspector Cobb
Have you been drinking, McClane?
John McClane
No, not since this morning.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Shift Change Tensions Rise Among Officers
Ricky Walsh
Come on, Pamela, look at your watch! It's coming up on shift change! The bean counters are worried about overtime, so we're sending everybody back to the precinct to punch out! The next shift's gonna be here in a minute.
Pamela
You are so full of shit, Walsh!
Ricky Walsh
Thank you. What the hell?
[Bows to her; He hears a low rumble and walks over to the corner, trying to find out what the noise is]
Ricky Walsh
Hey, whoa! Whoa-whoa!
[Simon approaches him]
Simon Gruber
Detective! Bob Thompson. City Engineer's office. We'd like to get an idea of the damage.
[flashes his identification; Mathias Targo jumps onto the next passing truck]
Ricky Walsh
Man, you guys really got here fast!
Simon Gruber
Well … it's Wall Street, sir. A lot of money here. Lot of opinion makers--the mayor doesn't want to piss off, you know. Is this it?
[with faux-American accent]
Simon Gruber
Holy Toledo! Somebody had fun! I'd appreciate it if you'd show my associates the way down.
[turns to Walsh; smiles and exchanges eye contact with Walsh. After a pause, Walsh gives in]
Ricky Walsh
Yeah! Yeah, sure. Jimmy! You got the flashlight? Murphy, come on, you too!
[turns to two cops by the police barricades; Two cops are waved over to lead two of Simon's thugs and Otto down the stairs into the wreckage]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflict Over Direction and Decision-Making
Zeus Carver
Where the hell are you going, McClane?! I told you 9th Avenue was the quickest way south!
John McClane
Stop with that goddamn yelling! I know what I’m doing!
Zeus Carver
Not even God knows what you’re doing!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Duality of Morality in Conflict
Simon
Of course not. I'm a soldier, I'm not a monster, even though I do sometimes work for monsters.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Consequences of Failure in Teamwork
John McClane
Listen, you fail, I cover your ass. I fail, you cover my ass.
Zeus Carver
And if we both fail?
John McClane
Then we're both fucked! Go now, drive. Get to that phone booth by 10:20! Go!
Zeus Carver
My lucky fucking day...
[mutters to himself]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tension Between McClane and Carver
John McClane
Hey, dickhead. Did I come at a bad time?
Zeus Carver
Whoa-ho! I think she's pissed at you, McClane!
[chuckles]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.