Hamburger Hill (1987) - Quotes

The Truth of Vietnam War Portrayal

Taglines: The most realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War ever filmed. Because it's the only one that's true.

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The Screamin Eagles' Valor in Battle

Taglines: While the rest of the world wondered why, the Screamin Eagles fought and died in the fiercest battle of America's bloodiest war.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

The Duality of War and Humanity

Taglines: War at its worst. Men at their Best.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

New Troops Cause Tension Among Squad Leaders

Worcester: I'm gonna put the new guys in your squad.

Sgt. Frantz: Oh, shit!

Worcester: Hey, don't oh shit me, troop! The old man has me breaking-in another new Lieutenant, and he looks like Palmolive-fucking-soap!

Sgt. Frantz: Yeah, well I don't need this f-n-g shit, Worcester.

Worcester: Yeah, well write your Congressman. And while you're at it, tell him I need a steak, a bucket of cold beer and a round-eye to wrap my leg around!

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Class and Privilege in War Experience

Doc: Surely, you people must be aware... that the brothers are here because they cannot afford an ed-u-cation.

Beletsky: So what am I doing? Sitting in some fuckin country club sipping on seven-n-sevens and eating a steak? Take a look around, Doc. I see all kinds of white faces here.

Doc: [clears throat] Okay. The war started for you... when you farted, and said "good morning Vietnam!" See, now I was born into this shit.

Beletsky: And they yanked that gold fuckin spoon outta MY mouth and sent me over here to see how you low-class eleven-boos live. Is that it?

Doc: [approaches Beletsky as if to fight, but extends his hand and smiles] Brother blood!

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Conflict Between Journalism and Military Duty

Newsman: [trying to interview GIs returning to base after a hard day of fighting] Hey, word down at division is you guys can't take this hill. What do you have to say about that? In fact, Senator Kennedy insists you guys haven't got a chance at all.

Sgt. Frantz: [glares at newsman for a few seconds] You really like this shit, don't you? It's your job, a story, wait here like a fucking vulture for someone to die so you can take a picture.

Newsman: [becoming angry] It's my job...

Newsman: What?

Sgt. Frantz: You listen to me. We're gonna take this fucking hill, Newsman. And if I catch you on top taking pictures of any of my people, I will blow your fucking head off. You haven't earned a right to be here. You got that?

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Unexpected Discovery on the Battlefield

Sgt. Frantz: Who is it?

Doc: How the hell do I know? He's got no goddamn head.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Airborne Attitude in Combat Situations

Worcester: We had a short-timer once. Johnny I-forget-his-name. He wore a flak jacket, two helmets and armor underwear. A Shau Valley... your time's up, your time is up.

Galvan: We're Airborne. We don't start fights, we finish em!

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Frustration Over Lack of Recognition

Doc: We've been up on that hill ten times, and they still don't think we're serious.

Dental Hygiene Tips from Doc

Doc: Brush your teeth in a rapid, vertical motion. That's up and down for all you rebels.

Meaninglessness in Conflict

Motown: It don't mean nothing, man. Not a thing.

Return to Comfort and Family

Motown: I smile at my Mamma. Great meal, Ma. Would you please pass the fucking potatoes. The ham is fucking A, Ma. You don't know how... how fucking great it is to be home. How you going to act, huh?

Survival Amidst Chaos and Conflict

Sgt. Frantz: [points to Han who is holding an RPG and grinning] Han is closing in on your position. It's night... Look at me! I'm gonna save your life and your gonna save mine. It's night, it's raining. While you're thinking about peace, love and whether or not we should be in Vietnam, Han is going to cut your fucking throat. And you're sleeping. You've been humping the boonies for months. It's your turn to sleep, you're allowed to sleep. What do you think Han is going to do? Is he going to wake you up, Alphabet? And smile? And talk about women? Mister Nathanial Victor gets his rocks off watching you die. Some of you think you have problems because you're against the war. You demonstrated in school... you wear peace symbols on your steel, and you have attitudes. I'm orphan, my brother's queer, the city of Chicago got the clap from my sister, Mom drinks, Dad coughs blood, I have ringworm, imersion foot, the incurable crud and the draft ruined my chances of being a brain surgeon. People, you are in Vietnam. You have no problems. Except me. And him.

Combat Realities and Enemy Respect in War

Sgt. Frantz: [[w:Chieu Hoi|Chieu Hoi; [w:A Sầu Valley|A Shau Valley; [w:Viet Cong|Viet Cong] All right, listen up. You people will not die on me in combat. You fucking new guys will do everything you can to prove me wrong. You'll walk on trails, kick cans, sleep on guard, smoke dope and diddely-bop through the bush like you were back on the block. Or on guard at night you'll write letters, play with your organ, and think of your girl back home. Forget her. Right now, some hair head has her on her back and is telling her to fuck for peace. This is Han. Those of you who are foolish will think of him as gook, slope, slant or dink. He is your enemy. He came over on the ] programme, and after he fattens himself on C-rations he will be hunting your young asses in the ]. Now forget about this ] shit. What you'll encounter out there is hard core NVA, North Vietnamese. Highly motivated, highly trained and well equipped. If you meet Han or his cousins, you will give him respect and refer to those little bastards as Nathanial Victor. Meet him twice, and survive, and you will refer to him as MISTER Nathanial Victor. Now people, I am sick and tired of filling body bags with your dumb fucking mistakes.