The Wild Bunch (1969) - Quotes

Journey to Mexico Begins

Coffer: From here on, it's Mexico, Mr. Thornton.

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Planning a Final Score

Pike: This was gonna be my last. Ain't gettin around any better. I'd like to make one good score and back off.

Dutch: Back off to what? Have you got anything lined up?

Pike: Pershing's got troops, spread out all along the border. Every one of those garrisons are gonna be gettin a payroll.

Dutch: That kind of information is kind of hard to come by.

Pike: No one said it was going to be easy but it can be done.

Dutch: They'll be waitin for us.

Pike: I wouldn't have it any other way.

Dutch: Pike, I wouldn't have it any other way either.

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Assessing the Strength of an Opponent

Coffer: You rode with, uh, Pike. What kind of man are we up against?

Thornton: The best. He never got caught.

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Anticipating Deke Thornton's Return

Dutch: At least we won't have to worry about Deke Thornton.

Pike: Hell, no; not after ridin a half a case of dynamite into the river.

Sykes: Well don't expect him to stay there. He'll be along and you know it.

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Strategizing Their Next Move

Dutch: What's our next move?

Pike: Well, I figure Agua Verde's the closest... three days maybe. Then get the news and drift back to the border. Maybe a payroll, maybe a bank.

Dutch: Maybe that damn railroad.

Tector: That damn railroad you're talkin about sure as hell ain't a-gettin no easier.

Sykes: And you boys ain't a-gettin any younger either.

Pike: We've got to start thinkin beyond our guns. Those days are closin fast.

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Tension and Conflict Among Characters

Coffer: I can nail him.

Thornton: I said wait.

T.C.: What if they slip out the back?

Coffer: It's covered, ya two-bit, redneck peckerwood.

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Conflicting Priorities Among The Wild Bunch

Lyle: All your fancy plannin and talkin damn near got us shot to pieces over a few lousy bags of washers. Well, this was goin to be me and Tector's last job before we quit and headed south. We spent all our time and money a-gettin ready for this!

Pike: You spent all your time and money runnin whores in Hondo while I spent my stake settin it up. Hell, I should have been runnin whores instead of stealin Army horses.

Lyle: [starts laughing] While you was doin all that plannin', me and Tector was gettin our bell rope pulled by two... two, mind you, Hondo whores!

Dutch: [laughing] And Pike was dreamin of washers... you were matching whores... in tandem!

Lyle: What's that?

Tector: That's one behind t'other.

Lyle: That's right! That's what we was doin'!

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Disappointment Over Deceptive Dealings

Dutch: Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers! Damn!

Pike: Bastards!...

Lyle: We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes.

Pike: They set it up.

Lyle: They? Who in the hell is they'?

Sykes: [laughing; angrily] They'? Why, they is the plain and fancy they', that's who they is! Caught you didn't they, eh? Tied a tin can to your tail. Let you in and waltz you out again. Ha, ha, ha. Oh my, what a bunch. Big, tough one, eh? Ha, ha, ha. Here you are, with a handful of holes, a thumb up your ass, and a big grin to pass the time of day with! They'? Who the hell is they'?

Pike: Railroad men, bounty hunters, Deke Thornton.

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Disagreements Over Fair Distribution of Shares

Pike: Sharin up will be the same as always.

Lyle: [points at Angel] Well, me and Tector don't think that he oughtta get the same amount. He's just startin out and this is mine and Tector's openin for a new territory!

Tector: [points at Sykes] That's right, and I figure a share to that old goat for watchin them horses is damn sure a share too much!

Lyle: So we decided. It ain't fair.

Pike: If you two boys don't like equal shares, why in the hell don't you just take all of it? Well, why don't you answer me, you damn yellow-livered trash!

Lyle: Now Pike, you know damn well--

Pike: I don't know a damn thing, except I either lead this Bunch or end it right now.

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Perceptions of Beauty in Different Lands

Angel: Mexico Lindo.

Lyle: I don't see nothin so lindo about it.

Tector: Just looks like more Texas far as I'm concerned.

Angel: Aw, you don't have no eyes!

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The Burden of Pride and Learning

Pike: There was a man named Harrigan. Used to have a way of doin things. I made him change his ways. A hell of a lot of people, Dutch, just can't stand to be wrong.

Dutch: Pride.

Pike: And they can't forget it... that pride... being wrong. Or learn by it.

Dutch: How bout us, Pike? You reckon we learned - bein wrong, today?

Pike: I sure hope to God we did.

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Deciding on a Burial for a Comrade

Pike: You boys want to move on or stay here and give him a... decent burial?

Tector: He was a good man, and I think we oughta bury him.

Pike: He's dead. And he's got a lot of good men back there to keep him company.

Lyle: Too damn many.

Dutch: I think the boys are right. I'd like to say a few words for the dear, dead departed. And maybe a few hymns'd be in order. Followed by a church supper. With a choir.

Lyle: You crazy bastards. Both of ya.

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Moral Dilemmas in Law and Violence

Thornton: Tell me, Mr. Harrigan. How does it feel gettin paid for it? Gettin paid to sit back and hire your killin's with the law's arms around you? How does it feel to be so god-damned right?

Harrigan: Good.

Thornton: You dirty son-of-a-bitch!

Harrigan: You've got thirty days to get Pike, or thirty days back to Yuma. You're my Judas goat, Mr. Thornton. I want all of them back here, head down over a saddle.

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Confrontation Over a Failed Mission

Harrigan: You stupid damn fools. Why did you shoot this employee and let the others get away?

Thornton: The next time you better plan your massacre more carefully or I'll start with you!

Harrigan: Why didn't you kill Pike when you had the chance?

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Tension Before the Conflict Begins

Crazy Lee: I kill em now?

Pike: No. Hold them here until the shooting starts.

Crazy Lee: I'll hold em here til Hell freezes over or you say different.

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Consequences of Choices in The Wild Bunch

Rev. Wainscoat: Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou nor thy sons with thee least ye shall die. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red and when it bringeth his color in the cup when it moveth itself aright. At the last, it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. Now folks, that's from the Good Book. But in this here town, it's 5 cents a glass. Five cents a glass. Does anyone really think that that is the price of a drink? The price of a drink - let him decide who has lost his courage and his pride who lies a groveling heap of clay not far removed...

Pat Harrigan: You go after them in ten minutes. Get them. Get Pike and you'll be rich! If one of you tries to quit on me, I'll pay a bonus of a thousand dollars to the man that kills him.

Ross: [after Crazy Lee is killed by Harrigan] Whoo-ee! This is better than a hog-killing!

Buck: Pike, is that you? I can ride, Pike. I can ride. I can't see but I can ride. God. No! I can't ride. Finish it, Mr. Bishop.

Tector Gorch: Riding with Brother Pike and old man Sykes makes a man wonder if it ain't time to pick up his chips and find another game.

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A Provocative Invitation from Crazy Lee

Crazy Lee: Well, how'd you like to kiss my sister's black cat's ass?

Consequences of Fear and Flight

Crazy Lee: Feathers flew like a turkey! Well, they shouldn't have run; they shouldn't have run.

The Burden of Justification and Morality

Deke Thornton: Tell me, Mr. Harrigan...how does it feel, getting paid for it? How does it feel to sit back and hire your killin', with the law's arms around you? How does it feel to be so god damn right?

Desire vs. Necessity in Deke Thornton's Words

Deke Thornton: What I like and what I need are two different things.

Deke Thornton's Frustration with His Crew

Deke Thornton: You think Pike and old Sykes haven't been watchin us. They know what this is all about - and what do I have? Nothin but you egg-suckin', chicken-stealing gutter trash, with not even sixty rounds between you. We're after men, and I wish to God I was with them. The next time you make a mistake, I'm gonna ride off and let you die.

Demand for Experienced Men in Tough Times

Deke Thornton: [to Harrigan] I need 20 trained men, not recruits. And not this gutter trash you've given me.

Ambition and Power in Northern Mexico

Deke Thornton: [about Mapache] He's a killer for Huerta who calls himself a general. He's been fighting Villa - and losing. But with enough guns, he can become a power in northern Mexico. My guess is, Pike will try to get them for him.

A Plan for Hidden Supplies

Pike Bishop: When I get my share of the gold, twenty five hundred dollars worth, I'll tell you where four cases are. The others are waiting for me back at the wagon. If I don't show up pretty quick, they'll blow it...The quicker I get back, the quicker you get the next load...Up the arroyo about two miles, you'll find three cases of rifles and one case of ammunition hidden in the bush.

The Consequences of Leadership in Turmoil

Pike Bishop: If they ever get armed with good leaders, this whole country will go up in smoke.

Determined to Learn and Understand

Pike Bishop: What I don't know about I sure as hell am gonna learn.

Betrayal and Consequences in Warfare

Pike Bishop: I figure that damn General will try to take this load without payin for it and shoot us in the bargain. Only thing that'll change his mind is if somethin would happen to these guns.

Final Chance for Redemption

Pike Bishop: This is our last go-around, Dutch. This time, we do it right!

Regret and Consequences of Carelessness

Pike Bishop: She had a husband. If I'd had any sense, I'd have killed him. He wasn't around. I got careless. One night, he walked in on us. Got her with the first shot. Got me here with the second. Then the damned coward turned and ran. There isn't a day or an hour that passes that I don't think about it.

Unity in the Face of Fate

Pike Bishop: We started together. We'll end it together.

Loyalty and Unity in Difficult Times

Pike Bishop: We're not gonna get rid of anybody. We're gonna stick together, just like it used to be. When you side with a man, you stay with him. And if you can't do that, you're like some animal - you're finished! We're finished! All of us!