War films play host to some of the most quotable movie characters of all time. Flexing their verbal dexterity, charismatic personalities, and lighting-quick wit through an array of memorable and instantly quotable soundbites, these standout characters have featured in virtually every brand of genre offering that one could think of, ranging from acclaimed films about lesser-known wars to war movies that are renowned for showcasing the camaraderie between soldiers.
This status quo comes down to the film’s writing; great quotable characters couldn’t exist without a superb script. As such, it’s hardly surprising that many of the genre’s most quotable characters can be found in the best war movies of all time, leveraging the potential afforded by a first-rate set of lines to the absolute maximum. The genre houses an array of standout examples when it comes to delivering a killer quote, numbering from legendary warriors of antiquity all the way to battle-hardened WWII soldiers.
10
Sergeant Howell
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
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9/10
Hacksaw Ridge
DramaBiographyDocumentaryHistoryWar
Hacksaw Ridge is a historical war film based on the true story of Desmond Doss, a soldier in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, who saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong due to his upbringing.
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Release Date
November 4, 2016
Runtime
139minutes
Cast
Sam Worthington
, Rachel Griffiths
, Richard Roxburgh
, Andrew Garfield
, Teresa Palmer
, matt nable
, Vince Vaughn
, Luke Bracey
, Nathaniel Buzolic
, Hugo Weaving
, Ryan Corr
Director
Mel Gibson
The wise-cracking commander of Desmond Doss’ unit in 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge, Vince Vaughn’s Sergeant Howell oversees basic training for Andrew Garfield’s charge before entering the fray with his recruits. This affords the character the opportunity for a horde of memorable one-liners through a classic drill sergeant-style stream of creative abuse that he directs towards his unfortunate subordinates, with “I have seen stalks of corn with better physiques!”, “You son of an exhibitionist!”, and “How long have you been dead, son?” serving as memorable examples.
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Andrew Garfield Defends Controversial Director Mel Gibson After Hacksaw Ridge Experience
Andrew Garfield argues for Mel Gibson’s right to direct movies after his positive experiences with the controversial director making Hacksaw Ridge.
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Howell is also notorious for his deadpan response in the scene where he notes a knife stuck in Smitty Ryker’s foot during roll call, witheringly remarking “I am heartened by the knowledge that you did not place it there with intention.” The sergeant is even capable of producing a memorable one-liner after being wounded in the heat of battle. When Doss asks the stricken officer if he would like some morphine, Howell’s darkly comical response is “Hell, yes. That, or a bullet.”
9
SFC Norm “Hoot” Gibson
Black Hawk Down (2001)
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10/10
Black Hawk Down
WarDramaHistory
Black Hawk Down recounts the harrowing true story of a U.S. military mission gone awry in Somalia. Tasked with capturing a warlord, elite soldiers find themselves in a fierce battle against Somali militia forces.
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Release Date
January 18, 2002
Runtime
144 minutes
Cast
Jason Isaacs
, Eric Bana
, Josh Hartnett
, Ewan McGregor
, Tom Sizemore
, Tom Hardy
, Hugh Dancy
, Orlando Bloom
Director
Ridley Scott
Arguably the most memorable character in Black Hawk Down’s ensemble cast, Eric Bana’s Sergeant First Class Norm “Hoot” Gibson is credited with a large portion of the movie’s best pieces of dialogue. One of the genre’s most quotable soldiers, Hoot’s “This is my safety” one-liner while motioning a trigger finger squeeze spawned countless memes that continue to this day.
Black Hawk Down boasts the feature film debut of Mad Max: Fury Road star, Tom Hardy.
A formidable, if rebellious, Delta Force operator, Bana’s charge acquits himself bravely during the Battle of Mogadishu. The larger-than-life soldier’s badass personality and battle-hardened attitude are further underlined by an array of pithy soundbites in the vein of “Once that first bullet goes past your head, politics and all that s*** goes right out the window,” or “See you’re thinking. Don’t. ‘Cause Sergeant, you can’t control who gets hit or who doesn’t or who falls out of a chopper or why. It’s just war,” establishing him as one of the genre’s most quotable faces.
8
William Wallace
Braveheart (1995)
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7/10
Braveheart
BiographyDramaHistory
Mel Gibson directs, produces, and stars in Braveheart as William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who leads a rebellion against the English monarchy in the 13th century. As his army grows, Wallace becomes a symbol of hope and freedom for his people.
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Release Date
May 24, 1995
Runtime
178 Minutes
Cast
Mel Gibson
, Sophie Marceau
, Patrick McGoohan
, Angus Macfadyen
, james robinson
, Sean Lawlor
, Sandy Nelson
, James Cosmo
Director
Mel Gibson
The protagonist of 1995’s Academy Award-winning historical drama Braveheart, Mel Gibson’s William Wallace is one of the war genre’s most quotable characters, even if the vast majority of his soundbites do seem to revolve around the word “freedom.” Virtually synonymous with the film at this point in proceedings, Wallace’s iconic battle cry of “…they may take our lives, but they may never take our freedom!” and his impassioned roar of “Freedom!” on the executioner’s block are some of the most popular and widely celebrated quotes that cinema has to offer.
…Mel Gibson’s William Wallace is one of the war genre’s most quotable characters, even if the vast majority of his soundbites do seem to revolve around the word “freedom.”
However, Gibson’s protagonist still turns in several other memorable soundbites against the backdrop of one of popular culture’s finest inaccurate biopic movies. Rousing numbers like “Give me the strength to die well,” and “Go back to England and tell them there that Scotland’s daughters and her sons are yours no more,” underline the indomitable nature at the heart of one of the silver screen’s most iconic and beloved rebels.
7
Captain John Miller
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
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25
9.5/10
Saving Private Ryan
WarDrama
Tom Hanks stars as Captain John Miller in Steven Spielberg’s 1998 WWII film. Saving Private Ryan tells the story of Miller’s command of a company of soldiers who risk their lives in an attempt to extricate Private James Ryan from the fighting in Europe, in order to spare his family from losing all of their sons after Ryan’s brothers are killed in the war. Matt Damon, Edward Burns, and Tom Sizemore also star.
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Release Date
July 24, 1998
Runtime
169 minutes
Cast
Tom Sizemore
, Adam Goldberg
, Vin Diesel
, Tom Hanks
, Edward Burns
, Matt Damon
Director
Steven Spielberg
The battle-hardened leader of the group of soldiers tasked with bringing Saving Private Ryan’s titular character home, Tom Hanks’ Captain John Miller is the voice behind many of the war genre’s most iconic soundbites. Turning in several of Saving Private Ryan’s best quotes, Miller’s blend of world-weary cynicism, wry sense of humor, and a deep sense of responsibility towards his men is epitomized by pieces of dialogue like “When was the last time you felt good about anything?” or “He better be worth it. He better go home and cure a disease, or create a longer-lasting light bulb.”
|
Steven Spielberg’s WWII movies |
|
|---|---|
|
Movie |
Year of release |
|
1941 |
1979 |
|
Empire of the Sun |
1987 |
|
Schindler’s List |
1993 |
|
Saving Private Ryan |
1998 |
However, Hanks’ charge’s most unforgettable quote comes during his final moments with a one-liner that exemplifies the heartbreaking nature of his sacrifice and the devastating cost of armed conflict. Barely able to speak as he clutches Matt Damon’s James Ryan, the captain croaks out “Earn this” to produce one of the genre’s most enduring and poignant soundbites with his dying breath.
6
Lt. Colonel William “Bill” Kilgore
Apocalypse Now (1979)
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9.5/10
Apocalypse Now
DramaWarMystery
In Francis Ford Coppola’s classic Vietnam War film, loosely based on Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness, an army Captain is tasked with assassinating a rogue Colonel who has created a cult-like compound in the Cambodian jungle and is currently waging his own war outside the army’s purview. Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando star as Captain Willard and Colonel Kurtz respectively, with an ensemble cast that includes Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, and Dennis Hopper.
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Release Date
August 15, 1979
Runtime
147 minutes
Cast
Marlon Brando
, Martin Sheen
, Robert Duvall
, Frederic Forrest
, Sam Bottoms
, Laurence Fishburne
Director
Francis Ford Coppola
The secondary villain of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, Robert Duvall’s Lieutenant Colonel William “Bill” Kilgore is the man credited with most of the movie’s legendary soundbites. Summarizing his warmongering nature in a sentence, the soldier produces one of the most iconic quotes in cinematic history as he effusively praises a chemical weapon with the tone of somebody describing their favorite coffee blend; “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”
“Charlie don’t surf!” in response to Willard’s concerns that a little R&R might not be suitable in a war zone is another iconic soundbite attributable to Duvall’s charge, underlining his credentials as one of the genre’s foremost quotable characters. While Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen both give him a run for his money against the backdrop of the best war movie of the 1970s, the lasting cultural impact of Kilgore’s one-liners means he upstages his peers as Apocalypse Now’s most quotable character.
5
Achilles
Troy (2004)
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8.5/10
Troy
Drama
Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen and released in 2004, is a historical epic based on Homer’s Iliad. The film chronicles the legendary Trojan War, focusing on the conflict between Achilles, played by Brad Pitt, and Hector, portrayed by Eric Bana. Starring Orlando Bloom as Paris and Diane Kruger as Helen, it explores themes of honor, betrayal, and the fates of the warriors involved in the siege of Troy.
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Release Date
May 14, 2004
Runtime
163 Minutes
Cast
Brad Pitt
, Eric Bana
, Orlando Bloom
, Julian Glover
, Brian Cox
, Nathan Jones
, Adoni Maropis
, Jacob Smith
Director
Wolfgang Petersen
Wolfgang Peterson’s historical epic Troy received middling reviews upon release, but near-unanimous praise was directed towards Brad Pitt’s portrayal of the legendary swordsman, Achilles. One of Pitt’s best war movie roles, the American’s nuanced take on the brooding Greek warrior afforded him the opportunity for an array of first-rate soundbites to underline his rebellious nature, mocking his alleged ruler with lines like “Imagine a king who fights his own battles. Wouldn’t that be a sight?”
Troy holds a rating of 7.3 on IMDb, but just a 53% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
A preternatural fighter with no equal, Achilles views himself as a unique individual, superior to all through his gift of violence. This status quo is underlined by his more memorable soundbites, like “There are no pacts between lions and men” when Hector pleads with him to allow funeral rites for the loser of their duel, or “That’s why no one will remember your name” in response to a small boy who advises him not to fight an enormous Thessalonian during the movie’s opening stages.
4
Colonel Hans Landa
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
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9/10
Inglourious Basterds
DramaWarAdventure
In Nazi-occupied France, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” execute a mission to terrorize the Third Reich. Simultaneously, a young Jewish cinema owner plots to kill Nazi leaders attending a premiere at her theater. Both plans converge in a high-stakes showdown filled with action and revenge.
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Release Date
August 21, 2009
Runtime
153 minutes
Cast
Brad Pitt
, Diane Kruger
, Mélanie Laurent
, Christoph Waltz
, Eli Roth
, Michael Fassbender
, Daniel Brühl
, Til Schweiger
Director
Quentin Tarantino
Brought to life in one of the greatest war movie supporting roles of all time, Christoph Waltz’s Hans Landa is one of modern cinema’s most iconic and disturbing villains. A German SS Colonel who bears the fearsome moniker “The Jew Hunter,” Landa relishes his title, arguing that “I…love my unofficial title precisely because I’ve earned it”. His delight in his work is further evidenced in moments like where he tauntingly calls after Melanie Laurent’s charge when she flees for one of the movie’s most famous one-liners: “Au revoir, Shoshanna!”
Waltz’s Academy Award-winning performance as Landa is littered with the first-rate soundbites that one would expect from a Quentin Tarantino villain.
Landa is unique among his peers for his propensity to use seemingly innocuous dialogue to hide the true menace in his words, with apparently benign soundbites like “If the shoe fits…” or “That’s a bingo!” belying his status as a despicable and ruthless killer. A terrifying villain who can switch from civil to psychotic at the drop of a hat, Waltz’s Academy Award-winning performance as Landa is littered with the first-rate soundbites that one would expect from a Quentin Tarantino villain.
3
King Leonidas
300 (2007)
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8/10
300
ActionDramaHistory
Loosely based on Frank Miller’s comic series of the same name, Zack Snyder’s 300 tells the legend of the historical battle of Thermopylae. It follows King Leonidas of Sparta (Gerard Butler) as he leads a small force of 300 Spartans against the amassed Persian army of 300,000. Meanwhile, his wife Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) remains in Sparta to negotiate reinforcements against political resistance.
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Release Date
March 9, 2007
Runtime
117 minutes
Cast
Vincent Regan
, Giovanni Cimmino
, Lena Headey
, David Wenham
, Gerard Butler
, Dominic West
Director
Zack Snyder
The lead protagonist of Zack Snyder’s 2007 historical war drama, Gerard Butler’s Leonidas is to thank for a large portion of 300’s most memorable quotes. The king’s impassioned roar of “This is Sparta!” as he kicks a Persian messenger into a pit is among the most iconic quotes in the history of cinema, with Butler turning in several more gloriously cheesy one-liners to underline Leonidas and the Spartan people’s warrior spirit.
300 features the feature film debut of Inglourious Basterds star, Michael Fassbender.
Stirring quotes like “Spartans! What is your profession?!”, “Persians! Come and get them!” and “It won’t be long before they fear my spears more than your whips” serve to highlight the indomitable nature of the Greek king and his status as one of the genre’s most quotable faces. Leonidas even goes out with a sizzling one-liner for the ages, evocatively crying out “My queen! My wife. My love…” before a hail of Persian arrows finally falls him.
2
Lt. Aldo Raine
Inglourious Basterds
Close
The laconic leader of Inglourious Basterds’ titular band of Jewish-American soldiers, Brad Pitt’s Aldo Raine is contentiously the accomplished actor’s finest body of work to date. Introducing himself with a bang, Raine’s monologue describing the Basterds’ mission statement is stuffed with iconic one-liners like “We’re gonna be doing one thing, and one thing only…killing Nazis” , “Nazi ain’t got no humanity!”, or “Each and every man under my command owes me 100 Nazi scalps! And I want my scalps!”
One of Tarantino’s more darkly amusing characters, Aldo the Apache’s electrifying quotability carries into his other scenes. The sequence depicting Pitt’s charge trying to feign an ability to speak Italian during Inglourious Basterds’ movie premiere never fails to elicit howls of laughter; “gorlami,” anyone? Aldo underlines his endless quotability by signing off with an immortal riposte for age, drawling “I’m gonna give you a little something you can’t take off” before carving a swastika in Hans Landa’s forehead.
1
Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
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9.8/10
Full Metal Jacket
WarDrama
Full Metal Jacket is a war movie directed by Stanley Kubrick where a group of young soldiers endure the brutal training regimen of U.S. Marine Corps drill sergeant Hartman (Lee Ermey) and fight in the Vietnam War. The film was highly acclaimed for its crude portrayal of the dehumanizing effects of war and the psychological toll it takes on soldiers.
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Release Date
July 10, 1987
Runtime
116 minutes
Cast
Matthew Modine
, Arliss Howard
, Adam Baldwin
, R. Lee Ermey
, Vincent D’Onofrio
Director
Stanley Kubrick
The foul-mouthed face of Stanley Kubrick’s seminal war outing Full Metal Jacket, R. Lee Ermey’s Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann is a walking, talking goldmine of quotable material. Relentlessly hurling profane abuse at his unfortunate recruits during flashpoints like the jelly doughnut incident, the vast majority of Hartmann’s quotes are too inappropriate to put into writing. For context, “You’re so ugly you could be a modern art masterpiece!” or “Here, you are all equally worthless” stand as two of his decidedly politer examples.
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Full Metal Jacket: How Much Of R. Lee Ermey’s Dialogue Was Improvised
It’s a common misconception that R. Lee Ermey ad-libbed all his lines as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. But he did improvise some.
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One of the best war movie villains of all time, Hartmann’s litany of obscene one-liners is so creative that his merciless tirade of abuse plays out as a work of art onscreen; a state of affairs made all the more impressive by the knowledge Ermey ad-libbed a good portion of his own lines. A never-ending highlight reel of brutal insults, Full Metal Jacket’s unforgettable drill sergeant stands as the most quotable war movie character of all time.