The Jackal (1997)

Sidney Poitier: Preston

Photos 

Quotes 

• Carter Preston : Witherspoon, you by-the-book asshole.

• Carter Preston : Major Koslova ends the debate about women in combat as far as I'm concerned.

  Declan Mulqueen : How's that?

  Carter Preston : She saved my life and took out Terek's brother. She did it knowing she'd be drawing a death sentence down on her neck. But when we offered to set her up some place else when this is over, you know what she said? The good guys don't hide.

  Declan Mulqueen : Fierce woman.

  Carter Preston : In that country, under that system: staggering.

• Carter Preston : [watching the interrogation of a Russian mobster]  He said... "Jackal"?

  General Belinko : Does this mean something to you, Mr. Preston?

  Carter Preston : There's supposedly a killer for hire who uses that name. Several assassinations are credited to him, but we've never been able to prove if he even exists.

  [Valentina, Belinko and the other MVD officers exchange looks, then Belinko and the other officers leave] 

  Valentina Koslova : From time to time he was a KGB asset.

  Carter Preston : Do you have a name?

  Valentina Koslova : No name! Payments were made to the contracting organization, or a Hong Kong bank account. No KGB member has ever seen him.

• Declan Mulqueen : A man like this doesn't make mistakes.

  Valentina Koslova : No? They always make one somewhere. Isn't that how you were caught?

  Carter Preston : Ouch.

• McMurphy : How did you know whose phone to tap?

  Carter Preston : I didn't. So I tapped everybody's.

  Ambassador Koldin : But I have Diplomatic Immunity! Who authorized you to tap my telephone?

  Valentina Koslova : I did, Ambassador.

• Carter Preston : I wonder if we'll ever know who the hell he was.

  Declan Mulqueen : We know all we need to. He was evil, he is dead. And he's gone. Nothing more matters.

• Declan Mulqueen : Do you remember Valentina said "A statement, public and brutal." Now, it always bothered me. Why did he keep comin' when he knew- he knew we could protector the director, especially once I got involved. But he didn't abort. Why? It didn't come together until I remembered what he said to Valentina. "Tell Declan he can't protect his women."

  Carter Preston : Wasn't he referring to Isabella?

  Declan Mulqueen : No. Any woman. All women! But remember, "public and brutal." We're guarding the wrong person.

  [Declan slams a newspaper onto the table] 

  Declan Mulqueen : He's after the First Lady.

• Carter Preston : I'm going back to Russia where I will stay until Terek Murad rots in prison or in the grave.

  Declan Mulqueen : [referring to Valentina]  I'm sure she'd appreciate that.

• Carter Preston : Here's how it's gonna go, Mulqueen. You will be searched on a random schedule and if we turn up so much as a paperclip that hasn't been authorized, I'll send you right back to prison. Same goes for using the telephone.

  Declan Mulqueen : Sounds like you don't trust me?

  Carter Preston : As far as I can throw you. But I have little choice. Do I? And if you have ANY thoughts about an IRA snatch, we'll *shoot to kill*! THEM and YOU! And not necessarily in that order.

  Declan Mulqueen : Got it.

  Carter Preston : Go along, and we'll get along.

• Carter Preston : This is a manhunt, not your cause. Don't make it personal.

  Declan Mulqueen : What do you fucking know?

  Carter Preston : [as Mulqueen walks away]  All right! I'll tell you what I know. I know the Jackal set you up in that arms deal in Libya. I know that Isabella was wounded when *you* walked in to the trap. I also know that it was the life *you* had chosen for...

  Declan Mulqueen : Did you also know that Isabella was *pregnant* when she got shot... That OUR CHILD didn't survive! Don't tell me this isn't personal, Mr. Preston!

  Carter Preston : I can't risk all of this over a vendetta!

  Declan Mulqueen : There's no vendetta. All I hope for now is a fresh start.

  Carter Preston : [to himself]  That just might happen.

• Declan Mulqueen : Preston, how about letting me have a gun.

  Carter Preston : Are you crazy! If the right people knew I was letting you walk around without cuffs, I'd get forced retirement!

• Carter Preston : [Grateful and consoling to Koslova]  It's not easy taking a life, but you saved one too - mine.