This post first ran in 2018, just before the Governator had open-heart surgery. Glad he got through it okay.
I’ve hardly let a single post about movie lines go by without at least one from Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose many action movies are among my favorites. This time around, the Governator gets the entire post.
Conan the Barbarian (1982), when asked what is best in life: “To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.”
“You killed my mother, you killed my father! You killed my people! You took my father’s sword!”
“Crom, grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to hell with you!”
Commando (1985), as John Matrix: “You’re a funny guy, Sully. I like you. That’s why I’m going to kill you last.”
Fighting with a very large man: “I eat Green Berets for breakfast. And right now, I’m very hungry.”
To a flight attendant, after killing a guy on the plane: “Don’t disturb my friend, he’s dead tired.”
Predator (1987), as Dutch, upon seeing the alien with its helmet off: “You’re one ugly motherfucker!”
Running Man (1987), as Ben Richards: “Uplink underground, uplink underground. If you say that one more time, I’ll uplink your ass, and you’ll be underground!”
“You cold-blooded bastard! I’ll tell you what I think of it: I live to see you eat that contract, but I hope you leave enough room for my fist because I’m going to ram it into your stomach and break your god-damn spine!”
“I can straighten that out. See that camera up there? I’ll strangle you in front of the whole audience.”
Red Heat (1988) as Ivan Danko: “Chinese find way. Right after revolution, they round up all drug dealers, all drug addicts, take them to public square, and shoot them in back of head.”
Talking about Chicago: “Very strange city. The crime is organized; the police is not.”
Total Recall (1990), as Quaid: “What about the guy you lobotomized? Did he get a refund?”
“If I am not me, then who the hell am I?”
“I didn’t lose my mind. Cohaagen stole it. He somehow found out that Hauser switched sides, so he turned him into another person… me. So, he dumped me on Earth with a wife and a lousy job…”
Terminator 2 (1991): “Hasta la vista, baby.”
“Chill out, dickwad.”
“Come with me if you want to live.”
“I know now why you cry…but it’s something I can never do.”
After a bruising fight with the T-1000: “I need a vacation.”
True Lies (1994) as Harry Tasker: “Well, you see, this is the problem with terrorists. They’re really inconsiderate when it comes to people’s schedules.”
To his disbelieving wife: “What can I say? I’m a spy.”
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003): “Katherine Brewster, have you sustained injuries?” When Katherine replies, “Drop dead, you asshole!” the Terminator says, “I am unable to comply.”
“Talk to the hand.”
“Based on your pupil dilation, skin temperature, and motor functions, I calculate an 83% probability that you will not pull the trigger.”
“When ruptured, the fuel cells become unstable. Relax.”
These last quotes are from the 2013 crime drama, The Last Stand, Schwarzenegger’s first starring role following his stint as Governator of California. He plays Ray Owens, former big-city cop, now sheriff of a small, sleepy border town that is about to receive a huge wake-up call from the leader of a Mexican drug cartel who is fleeing the FBI.
“We are not going to let that guy come through our town without a fight.”
“You make us immigrants look bad.”
“Do you have stupid names for all your shit?”
If you’re like me, you vocalize all of Arnold’s lines in his familiar accent. Truth be told—and politics aside—I love the guy!