Major Dundee (1965)

Charlton Heston: Major Amos Charles Dundee

Photos 

Quotes 

• 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.

• Maj. Amos Dundee : By midnight tonight I want every man in this command drunker than a fiddler's bitch.

• 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*!

• 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!

• Maj. Amos Dundee : Sam...

  Samuel Potts : Yeah?

  Maj. Amos Dundee : Don't get yourself killed... That would inconvenience me.

• Tim Ryan : [observing the body of Sierra Charriba]  He looks so small, now.

  Maj. Amos Dundee : He was big enough, son.

• 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.

• [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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!

• Maj. Amos Dundee : If I ever do get out of here, the war won't last forever.

  Teresa Santiago : It will for you, Major.

• 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.

• Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Major, I shall see you in Texas!

  Maj. Amos Dundee : You're damn right you will! Bugler!

• 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.

• 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.

• Maj. Amos Dundee : You surveyed this whole area with Grant in '47, didn't you?

  Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Yes, the tequila was excellent.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Maj. Amos Dundee : [to Ryan; repeated]  Whistle me a tune, boy.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!

• Maj. Amos Dundee : For God's sakes, Ben - leave me be!

  Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Why not, Amos? You aren't worth killing anyhow.

• 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*.

• 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.

• 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...

• 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.

• Maj. Amos Dundee : You're wearing out, Ben. You were a rock once, now you're crumbling like old chalk.

• Lt. Graham : You'd let Charriba escape?

  Maj. Amos Dundee : Let's say I'm giving him... equal opportunity.

• 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?

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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?

• Maj. Amos Dundee : This is something that's gotta be done and I'm gonna do it - now!

• Maj. Amos Dundee : I am a professional soldier, I'm not a prison keeper.

• Maj. Amos Dundee : [to Confederate Capt. Tyreen]  Your word's worth about as much as your Cause.

• Maj. Amos Dundee : Priam, they're a bunch of Roman-nosed, broken-gutted, spavined, sore-footed, swaybacked dogs. You call yourself a horse thief?

• 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!

• Maj. Amos Dundee : You're a damn traitor, Ben. You were a rebel before you ever saw the South.

• 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.

• Capt. Benjamin Tyreen : Major, we can't follow the Apache.

  Maj. Amos Dundee : I'm not letting go of that Injun.

• Maj. Amos Dundee : Bring me a bottle of that medicinal brandy.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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] 

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Maj. Amos Dundee : No matter what happens, don't fire unless you're attacked. Just remember your orders and hope.