Apocalypse Now (1979)

Robert Duvall: Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore

Photos 

Quotes 

• Kilgore : Smell that? You smell that?

  Lance : What?

  Kilgore : Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for 12 hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' dink body. The smell, you know that gasoline smell? The whole hill. Smelled like... victory. Someday this war's gonna end.

  [He reflects on this for a moment and frowns. Then he gets up and walks away. Willard stares at him in disbelief] 

• Willard : [objecting to surfing in a war zone]  It's pretty hairy in there. That's Charlie's point.

  Kilgore : Charlie don't surf!

• Kilgore : [recorded message playing from speakers on helicopters flying overhead]  I will not hurt or harm you. Just give me back the board, Lance. It was a good board and I like it. You know how hard it is to find a board you like.

• Willard : Are you crazy, Goddammit? Don't you think its a little risky for some R&R?

  Kilgore : If I say its safe to surf this beach, Captain, then its safe to surf this beach! I mean, I'm not afraid to surf this place, I'll surf this whole fucking place!

• Kilgore : How're you feeling, Jimmy?

  Door Gunner : Like a mean motherfucker, sir!

• Kilgore : Lieutenant, bomb that tree line about 100 yards back! Give me some room to breathe!

• Kilgore : You can either surf, or you can fight!

• Colonel Kilgore : [Explaining why the helicopters play music during air assaults]  We use Wagner. It scares the shit out of the slopes. My boys love it!

• Kilgore : What the hell do you know about surfing, Major? You're from goddamned New Jersey!

• Kilgore : [after the Red Team gunship spectacularly knocks out a heavy AA artillery unit]  Outstanding, Red Team, outstanding! Get you a case of beer for that one.

• Kilgore : All right, let's see what we have. Two of spades. Three of spades. Four of diamonds, six of clubs... there isn't one worth a jack in the whole bunch. Four of diamonds...

• Kilgore : This is a Romeo Foxtrot. Shall we dance?