Major Dundee (1965)
Charlton Heston: Major Amos Charles Dundee
Photos
Quotes
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Name?
Rev. Dahlstrom : Dahlstrom. Any man who has a just cause should travel with the word of God.
Maj. Amos Dundee : With all due respect, God has nothing to do with it. I intend to smite the wicked, not save the Heathen.
Rev. Dahlstrom : Seventeen years ago I married John and Mary Rostes. Those who destroyeth my flock, shall so be destroyed.
Maj. Amos Dundee : [smiles] Reverend.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : By midnight tonight I want every man in this command drunker than a fiddler's bitch.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : I have only three commands. When I signal you to come, you come. When I signal you to charge, you charge. And when I signal you to run - you follow me and run like *hell*!
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Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : How many men do you need?
Maj. Amos Dundee : Twenty. Good ones.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Until the Apache is taken or destroyed - only that?
Maj. Amos Dundee : Agreed.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : If it's... too rich for you... hang us now, and be done with it.
Maj. Amos Dundee : I might just hang you and that Injun from the same tree, Ben.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : You'll play hell getting it done, Amos!
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Sam...
Samuel Potts : Yeah?
Maj. Amos Dundee : Don't get yourself killed... That would inconvenience me.
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Tim Ryan : [observing the body of Sierra Charriba] He looks so small, now.
Maj. Amos Dundee : He was big enough, son.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Captain Tyreen, is the prospect of serving under your country's flag once again seem more attractive than dragging its chains in this prison?
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : It is not my country, Major Dundee. I damn its flag and I damn you! And I would rather *hang* - than serve!
[the Confederate prisoners begin whistling "Dixie" and rattling their chains, creating a loud racket]
Sgt. Gomez : [to Dundee] Corporal Veitch just died, sir.
Maj. Amos Dundee : [shouts] Then hang you will!
[noise dies down]
Maj. Amos Dundee : You and your four good friends, you're going to stand trial on a charge of murder. That guard you clubbed just died.
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[Major Dundee and his staff find Lieutenant Bannon tortured over a slow fire]
Maj. Amos Dundee : I hope he was dead when they did that to him.
Sgt. Gomez : If he was dead, they wouldn't have bothered.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : You thieves, renegades, deserters, you gentlemen of the South. I want some volunteers. I want volunteers to fight the Apache Sierra Charriba. I need horse soldiers - men who can ride, men who can shoot. In return, I promise you nothing... saddle sores, short rations, maybe a bullet in your belly... and free air to breathe, fair share of tobacco, quarter pay... and my good will and best offices for pardons and paroles when I get back.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : What are you trying to say, Frank? Come on, speak up. Spit it out.
Capt. Frank Waller : I'm not trying to say the massacre was your fault. I am trying to say that you should recognize your transfer to this post was a disciplinary action, pure and simple... and if you try to fight your own war again - like you did at Gettysburg - they'll break you.
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Wiley : If you're lookin' for hard-ridin', Injun-fightin' whiskey drinkin' mulepackers, then by *God* you've got one!
Maj. Amos Dundee : What in the hell am I supposed to do with you?
Sgt. Gomez : He's the biggest drunk, but the best mule packer in the Territory, sir.
Maj. Amos Dundee : What's your name?
Wiley : Wiley.
Maj. Amos Dundee : All right, Wiley. Make your mark.
Wiley : Whiskey?
Maj. Amos Dundee : All you can drink...
[Wiley signs the contract]
Maj. Amos Dundee : ...when you've earned it. Sergeant, take him to a cell and dry him out.
[Sergeant Gomez escorts Wiley out of the room]
Wiley : Well! I ain't never seen anything like this before!
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Maj. Amos Dundee : If I ever do get out of here, the war won't last forever.
Teresa Santiago : It will for you, Major.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : I drink, Ben. Did you know that? That is the secret of my great success. I drink.
[looks at an unattractive smiling young woman]
Maj. Amos Dundee : But, I don't drink enough.
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Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Major, I shall see you in Texas!
Maj. Amos Dundee : You're damn right you will! Bugler!
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Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : You are either - a $70, red-wool, pure-quill military genius - or the biggest damn fool in northern Mexico.
Maj. Amos Dundee : No question of it.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Don't you ever have any doubts about who you are?
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : I've been three men already, Amos. That's enough for one lifetime.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Irish immigrant...
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Cashiered American officer.
Maj. Amos Dundee : And Confederate renegade. I don't like any of 'em.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Well, now, isn't that a coincidence.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : You surveyed this whole area with Grant in '47, didn't you?
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Yes, the tequila was excellent.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [after the Apache ambush] How did they know?
Samuel Potts : They're Apache.
Maj. Amos Dundee : [on Riago] And just what in hell is he?
Riago : I am tame Apache. A camp dog. Christian Indian. Charriba, is Apache.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Sam, you take this "camp dog" and go find me Charriba.
Samuel Potts : That's what you pay us for, Amos.
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Aesop : Sir. I'd like to volunteer, sir. Me and my six coloreds.
Maj. Amos Dundee : I haven't asked for volunteers from the command.
Aesop : We're the ones doing the asking, sir.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Why?
Aesop : To fight, sir. We've been standing guard and cleaning stables for nearly two years.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Tomorrow, you ask the officer of the day to see me - you and your six coloreds.
Aesop : [salutes Dundee] Thank you, sir.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Why don't you get two of your best men to help Sergeant Gomez take those children back to Fort Benlin?
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : [chuckles slightly] We'll still outnumber you, Amos!
Maj. Amos Dundee : You surely will, Ben. Now go do as you're told.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Yes, sir.
[brief pause]
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : But only until the Apache is taken or destroyed.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Mr. Potts.
Samuel Potts : Major?
Maj. Amos Dundee : I'm a long way from Gettysburg. Any suggestions?
Samuel Potts : Yeah. Let's, uh, go have a look... slow and easy.
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Sgt. Gomez : Benjamin Priam, sir.
Maj. Amos Dundee : What do you do, Mr. Priam?
Benjamin Priam : [mumbles unintelligibly]
Maj. Amos Dundee : What did you say?
Benjamin Priam : [mumbles]
Maj. Amos Dundee : Speak up! I can't hear you!
Benjamin Priam : [screaming] I'm a horse thief!
Maj. Amos Dundee : [smirks] Are you a *good* horse thief?
Benjamin Priam : Yes, sir. The best there *is*, sir!
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Sgt. Gomez : [as the survivor's command emerges from the river] All present and accounted for, sir.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Lieutenant Graham.
Lt. Graham : Yes, sir?
Maj. Amos Dundee : Column of twos.
Lt. Graham : Column of twos!
Maj. Amos Dundee : [to Ryan] Play us a tune, son.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Captain, give my regards to General Carleton.
Capt. Frank Waller : I hope that you're to have that pleasure yourself within the next week, Major. If not - good luck.
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Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : [trying to restrain his men] I said will shall serve under this command and we will serve! But only until the Apache is destroyed. And then, Amos - and then, I'm going to kill you!
Maj. Amos Dundee : Are you, Ben?
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Yes. Yes, Amos.
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Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : "Awake! for Morning in the Bowl of Night, Has cast the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight"
Maj. Amos Dundee : What are you doing here?
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : I've come to rescue you. We spent all night looking for you.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Why?
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : So I can kill you myself.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Makes sense.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Lieutenant Graham?
Lt. Graham : Yes, sir.
Maj. Amos Dundee : I gave you a specific order, and you failed to carry it out.
Lt. Graham : No, sir, you gave me a command. I gave the orders from then on.
Maj. Amos Dundee : You sure did, Lieutenant. Have a cigar.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [to Ryan; repeated] Whistle me a tune, boy.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [Aguilar is operating on Dundee's wound] If you're thinking about cutting off that leg, Doctor - don't.
[pulls out revolver]
Dr. Aguilar : I am only concerned about the loss of blood... though much of it is alcohol.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [after a battle, Dundee comes across Wiley, bleeding from a head wound] Wiley, are you hit?
Wiley : No, sir. My damned mule kicked me.
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Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Now Major, or across the river in Texas?
Maj. Amos Dundee : Here's just fine, Ben.
Samuel Potts : [surveying the French army from a high rock] You boys want a fight? I've got one for you! Come up here and look!
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Maj. Amos Dundee : For God's sakes, Ben - leave me be!
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Why not, Amos? You aren't worth killing anyhow.
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Capt. Frank Waller : [referring to Dundee's planned expedition] I feel it's my responsibility to report to General Carleton what I believe to be an irresponsible and reckless action.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Do your worst.
Capt. Frank Waller : You could be shot for this, Amos.
Maj. Amos Dundee : My executioners will have to stand *in line*.
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Teresa Santiago : [on Tyreen] He must be a...
[wets her lips]
Teresa Santiago : fanciful man.
Maj. Amos Dundee : He is corrupt. But I will save him.
[kiss]
Maj. Amos Dundee : Thank you for being kind.
Teresa Santiago : All I feel is kindness.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Next time I'll be more fanciful.
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Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : I'll need five men, mounted. We'll attack their flank after you break their charge.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Bully!
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Bully...
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Lieutenant Brannin didn't trust Riago, right Ryan?
Tim Ryan : Yes, sir.
Maj. Amos Dundee : I'm afraid I go along with that, Sam.
Samuel Potts : Well, you go along with Lieutenant Brannin. But you'll have to go along without me.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : You're wearing out, Ben. You were a rock once, now you're crumbling like old chalk.
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Lt. Graham : You'd let Charriba escape?
Maj. Amos Dundee : Let's say I'm giving him... equal opportunity.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [Tyreen and his men are caught after trying to escape] Evening, Ben.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Good evening, Amos.
Maj. Amos Dundee : You should've tried it *before* I took command.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Command of what? The burial detail?
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Capt. Frank Waller : Are you pursuing the Apache, Major, or a promotion?
Maj. Amos Dundee : Whatever my reasons are, Frank, you'd better get down on your knees and pray to God I don't decide to take you with me.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [referring to Potts's Apache scouts] You expect me to believe these Apache would turn on their own families, track down their own people?
Samuel Potts : Well, why not? Everybody else seems to be doin' it.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [Dundee and his men have brought back Tyreen and the escaped Confederates to the fort] Well, Captain, I brought back your wandering boys. Now you tell me how they got loose.
Capt. Frank Waller : They clubbed two guards and went over the wall. It should be pointed out, Major, that at the time of their escape, 134 men of this command were a half day's march from here, either digging graves or rotting in the sun, waiting to be buried.
Maj. Amos Dundee : I want every prisoner that can walk on this parade ground in ten minutes - including those in irons.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [having found Riago crucified to a tree] Go cut him down, Sam.
Samuel Potts : You cut him down, Major. I think he's earned it.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : I'll say one thing, Ben. You sure haven't mellowed any. When are you going to learn you made all your own troubles?
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Maj. Amos Dundee : This is something that's gotta be done and I'm gonna do it - now!
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Maj. Amos Dundee : I am a professional soldier, I'm not a prison keeper.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : [to Confederate Capt. Tyreen] Your word's worth about as much as your Cause.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Priam, they're a bunch of Roman-nosed, broken-gutted, spavined, sore-footed, swaybacked dogs. You call yourself a horse thief?
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Why did they assign you to the cavalry? You're ordnance, aren't you?
Lt. Graham : No, sir! Artillery.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Artillery?
Lt. Graham : Yes, sir.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Artillery?
Lt. Graham : Yes, sir! As Napoleon said, "Only thunderbolts can be preferred to cannon."
Maj. Amos Dundee : Napoleon?
Lt. Graham : Yes, sir!
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Maj. Amos Dundee : You're a damn traitor, Ben. You were a rebel before you ever saw the South.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : You're a would-be cavalier, an Irish potato farmer with a plumed hat - fighting for a white-columned plantation house you never had and never will.
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Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Major, we can't follow the Apache.
Maj. Amos Dundee : I'm not letting go of that Injun.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Bring me a bottle of that medicinal brandy.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : We've come a long way. I need fresh horses and food. My men are hungry.
Teresa Santiago : They are no more hungry than this village. They are willing to share everything they have got with you, Major - most particularly their hunger.
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Teresa Santiago : I liked the way he asked me to dance. As if we were in a ballroom in Vienna. It was a lovely little charade.
Maj. Amos Dundee : The Lieutenant has style.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : The woman?
Samuel Potts : I don't know, Amos. If they hanged her, they cut her down. Them boys in the pretty hats make the Apache look like missionaries.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Never underestimate the value of a European education.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : There was - something about that woman.
Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Yeah. There sure, sure was.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Made me think of - satin. Soft, white satin.
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Teresa Santiago : May I walk with you?
Maj. Amos Dundee : Not afraid of the tiger?
Teresa Santiago : Are you el tigre - the tiger that prowls these mountains? No, I'm not afraid, Major.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : Why are you with me?
Teresa Santiago : I've seen too much dying. And I wanted so desperately to feel alive - for both of us to feel alive.
[long kiss]
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Maj. Amos Dundee : If you're thinking of cutting that leg off, Doctor, don't.
Dr. Aguilar : I am only concerned to stop the loss of blood. Though much of it is alcohol.
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Teresa Santiago : It troubles you a great deal, doesn't it, how the men feel about you?
Maj. Amos Dundee : I'm concerned with how they fight, not how they feel about me.
Teresa Santiago : But why is this so important, this fighting? There are other things.
Maj. Amos Dundee : Men can understand fighting. I guess maybe they need it sometimes. The truth is, it's easy. Forget about your problems, responsibilities - just let someone feed you, tell you what to do.
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Dr. Aguilar : You should be able to walk in seven days and ride in twelve.
Maj. Amos Dundee : I'll walk in two and ride in one more.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : The tequila. Did you bring the tequila?
[Linda gives Amos a near empty bottle]
Maj. Amos Dundee : I asked for something to drink. This isn't enough to spit.
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Maj. Amos Dundee : No matter what happens, don't fire unless you're attacked. Just remember your orders and hope.