The Hurt Locker (2009) - Quotes

The Value of Heroism in Service

Taglines: You don't have to be a hero to do this job. But it helps.

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The Addictive Nature of War

Taglines: War is a drug.

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Decisive Action Under Pressure

Taglines: Cut the red wire.

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Awareness in Intense Situations

Taglines: You'll know when you're in it.

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Military Backgrounds and Personal Perspectives

SGT J.T. Sanborn: So you're a Ranger, huh?

SFC William James: Yeah.

SGT J.T. Sanborn: I spent seven years in intelligence before coming to EOD. We ran missions through the worst shitholes you can imagine. So, I'm pretty sure I can figure out a redneck piece of trailer trash like you.

SFC William James: Looks like you're on the track. See you out there, man.

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Humor Amidst Tension in The Hurt Locker

SGT J.T. Sanborn: I can't get it in.

SGT Matt Thompson: What do you mean you can't get it in? Pretend it's your dick.

SGT J.T. Sanborn: How about I pretend it's your dick?

SGT Matt Thompson: Well in that case you'll never get it in.

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Recognition of Bravery in Combat

COL Reed: You the guy in the flaming car, Sergeant James?

SFC William James: Afternoon, sir. Uh, yes, sir.

COL Reed: Well, that's just hot shit. You're a wild man, you know that?

SFC William James: Uh, yes, sir.

COL Reed: He's a wild man. You know that? I want to shake your hand.

SFC William James: Thank you, sir.

COL Reed: Yeah. How many bombs have you disarmed?

SFC William James: Uh, I'm not quite sure.

COL Reed: Sergeant?

SFC William James: Yes, sir.

COL Reed: I asked you a question.

SFC William James: Eight hundred seventy-three, sir.

COL Reed: Eight hundred! And seventy-three. Eight hundred! And seventy-three. That's just hot shit. Eight hundred and seventy-three.

SFC William James: Counting today, sir, yes.

COL Reed: That's gotta be a record. What's the best way to... go about disarming one of these things?

SFC William James: The way you don't die, sir.

COL Reed: That's a good one. That's spoken like a wild man. That's good.

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Tools and Tensions in Combat Situations

Contractor Team Leader: This is the wrench man.

SFC William James: Hello wrench man.

SGT J.T. Sanborn: You know you can shoot people out here... You don't have to throw a wrench.

Contractor Feisal: Fuck off!

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Questioning Resourcefulness in a Crisis

Contractor Team Leader: We have a flat tire. Can you help us?

SFC William James: Sure, yeah. Do you have spares?

Contractor Team Leader: We have spares, but we've used up our wrench.

SFC William James: How do you use up a wrench?

Contractor Team Leader: Well, uh, see the guy over there, with the red thing on his head? Well he threw it at someone.

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Facing Mortality in Combat

SGT J.T. Sanborn: I'm not ready to die, James.

SFC William James: Well, you're not going to die out here, bro.

SGT J.T. Sanborn: Another two inches? Shrapnel zings by; slices my throat. I'll bleed out like a pig in the sand; nobody'll give a shit. I mean my parents? They'll care, but they don't count, man. Who else? I don't even have a son.

SFC William James: Well, you're gonna have plenty of time for that, amigo.

SGT J.T. Sanborn: No, man. I'm done. I want a son. I want a little boy, Will. I mean, how do you do it, you know? Take the risk?

SFC William James: I don't know. I guess I don't think about it.

SGT J.T. Sanborn: But you realize every time you suit up, every time we go out, it's life or death. You roll the dice, and you deal with it. You recognize that don't you?

SFC William James: [sighs] Yeah... Yeah, I do. But I don't know why. I don't know, J.T. You know why I'm a the way that I am?

SGT J.T. Sanborn: No, I don't.

The Futility of Military Preparedness in Iraq

SPC Owen Eldridge: Aren't you glad the Army has all these tanks parked here? Just in case the Russians come and we have to have a big tank battle?

SGT J.T. Sanborn: I'd rather be on the side with the tanks, just in case, than not have them.

SPC Owen Eldridge: Yeah, but they don't do anything. I mean, anyone comes alongside a Humvee, we're dead. Anybody even looks at you funny, we're dead. Pretty much the bottom line is, if you're in Iraq, you're dead. How's a fucking tank supposed to stop that?

SGT J.T. Sanborn: Would you shut the fuck up, Owen?

SPC Owen Eldridge: Sorry. Just trying to scare the new guy.

A Question of Discretion and Curiosity

Camp Liberty gate sentry: [after catching James coming back into the camp after having snuck out] What were you doing out there?

SFC William James: Visiting a whorehouse.

Camp Liberty gate sentry: Okay. If I let you back in, will you tell me where it is exactly?

Uncertainty in the Face of Danger

SGT J.T. Sanborn: Are you within 100 meters of the IED?

SFC William James: Hell I don't know Sanborn, I'll tell you when I’m on top of it.

The Evolution of Love and Attachment

Sergeant First Class William James: [to his son] You love playing with that. You love playing with all your stuffed animals. You love your Mommy, your Daddy. You love your pajamas. You love everything, don't ya? Yea. But you know what, buddy? As you get older, some of the things you love might not seem so special anymore. Like your Jack-in-a-Box. Maybe you'll realize it's just a piece of tin and a stuffed animal. And then you forget the few things you really love. And by the time you get to my age, maybe it's only one or two things. With me, I think it's one.