15 Most Memorable Quotes From Heat

Heat is considered to be one of the greatest crime films of all time, and the best Heat quotes see some of the best actors of their generation carry the movie to even greater heights. The Michael Mann classic brilliantly and epically details the lives of those on opposite sides of the law who are put on a collision course with each other. Along with some thrilling action sequences and tense moments, the film is filled with great dialogue and memorable lines. Nearly three decades after its release, Heat still stands up as a crime film masterpiece.

Heat also boasts an impressive cast, with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro as the leads. As a result, some of the best Heat quotes were immediately cemented into cinematic history. Though the team that brought this story of cops and robbers to life have all gone on to do other acclaimed projects, this film remains a highlight in all of their careers. Along with the electrifying set pieces that the movie is known for, the best Heat quotes keep the story engaging at every turn with one-liners, insightful observations about life, and rare moments of levity.

15 “Cause There Is A Dead Man On The Other End Of This F***ing Line.”

Neil McCauley

One of the subplots in Heat revolves around Neil McCauley and his crew getting double-crossed in a deal with a money launderer named Van Zant. Unfortunately for Van Zant, he doesn’t know how dangerous these men are. After the deal goes wrong, McCauley calls Van Zant, who is surprised to hear him alive but tries to play it cool. He asks McCauley what he’s doing and McCauley replies with this sobering promise.

In a movie filled with tough guys, De Niro makes McCauley the most intimidating with his ice-cold delivery of lines like this. He speaks calmly and directly, showing that he is a man in complete control, which makes his threat all the more menacing. The look on Van Zant’s face when McCauley hangs up makes the moment all the more memorable as there is an immediate realization of how badly he messed up and how much trouble he is in now.

14 “You Do Not Get To Watch My F***ing Television!”

Vincent Hanna

Heat is a very serious film with most of its characters living empty and unhappy lives. However, there are moments of humor throughout the story, most of them coming from Pacino as the unhinged yet professional detective Vincent Hanna. While Vincent is focused on taking down this latest gang of robbers, his marriage begins falling apart which might not sound like very funny material, but it gives Pacino opportunities to do his unpredictable and fun performance.

This leads to an uncomfortable confrontation when he comes home to find his wife with another man. Vincent confronts the confused man as he sits on the couch and tells him he doesn’t mind if he sleeps with his wife, but watching his television is where he draws the line. In a way, it is a vulnerable moment for Hanna as it is clear he doesn’t know how to react to the situation and decides to fixate on the TV or all things.

13 “I’m Alone; I Am Not Lonely.”

Neil McCauley

McCauley has an intriguing personality as it’s shown early on how willing he is to kill to avoid getting caught, but the movie then explores him as a more complex character, particularly in a burgeoning relationship with a young woman named Eady. The relationship gives further insight into McCauley as he becomes slightly more vulnerable. When asked if he gets lonely in his solitary life, McCauley points out there is a difference between being alone and lonely, which speaks to his detached view of the world.

There is a sense that he feels he doesn’t need people in his life and maintains a cold persona that allows him to cut ties whenever the need arises. Even in this relationship with Eady which he begins to feel is important to him, he ultimately shows that he can leave her as well if it’s necessary. It makes it all the more sad when McCauley asks her the same question and she admits she is lonely.

12 “Gimme All You Got!”

Vincent Hanna

As Vincent, Pacino’s performance ranges from calm and collected to wild and over-the-top, adding a compelling unpredictability. Though the wild aspects of the character are never distracting, it does spice up certain scenes. In one scene, Vincent is confronting one of his informants, who has been neglecting his duties. Pacino is completely unleashed in this scene, yelling his lines with frenetic energy.

Once again, his co-stars in the scene seem utterly shocked by the outbursts, which makes the scene all the more hilarious. Given the amount Pacino reportedly improvised in the movie, this seems like another such moment. Interestingly, decades after the film was released, Pacino and director Michael Mann admitted there was cut material that showed Hanna used cocaine to psyche himself up for the job, which explains his sometimes erratic behavior (via Variety).

11 “I Had To Get It On.”

Waingro

Neil McCauley’s crew of professional thieves is highly professional and effective. However, one new member, Waingro, proves to be a liability. During an armor car heist, Waingro loses his cool and executes a guard, leading to two more deaths. As the team meets afterward, Waingro knows the others are not happy with him. He lies and says the guard was making a move and explains, “I had to get it on.”

It’s a memorable line followed by a very memorable beating dished out by McCauley, slamming his head into the table and showing that he doesn’t accept that excuse at all. Throughout the movie, Waingro likes to strut around and talk as if he’s the ultimate outlaw. Even his line “I had to get it on” seems like he is positioning himself as some sort of gunslinger. Within seconds, McCauley makes any sense of his tough guy persona disappear.

10 “What’d Ya Say I Buy You A Cup Of Coffee?”

Vincent Hanna

This simple Heat quote kicks off one of the most memorable movie scenes in history. Vincent tracks Neil down in his car. Both men have their guns at the ready, but then Vincent suggests they get a cup of coffee together. Seeing these two acting legends sharing a scene is thrilling enough, but they bring the A-game to this moment.

The movie builds to this moment in a very effective way, understanding the excitement of seeing these two men in a scene together. The scene of Hanna chasing down McCauley and pulling him over is filled with tension and the audience knows either man would kill the other without hesitation. The way that tension is broken with this unexpected one from Hanna takes the moment in a terrific direction that is much more interesting than a shootout. According to Slash Film, Mann didn’t want the two actors rehearsing the scene before filming, which ultimately paid off.

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9 “What The F*** Is That? Barbecues And Ballgames?”

Neil McCauley

The iconic diner scene in Heat is not just about seeing two powerhouse actors performing. It is a gripping moment as these two men on opposite sides of the law, who are heading towards a collision course, realize that they are not so different. They get surprisingly personal very quickly, discussing their dreams with Hanna even talking about his failed marriage and issues at home.

McCauley is understandably more guarded, but he does give insight into how he approaches his life. As McCauley and Hanna speak frankly about their lives, Hanna asks McCauley the obvious question: did he ever want a normal life? McCauley dismisses that as “barbecues and ball games” and it’s clear Hanna feels the same way. De Niro and Pacino are truly irreplaceable in their roles.

8 “We Just Got Made.”

Vincent Hanna

The cat-and-mouse game between Neil and Vincent is one of the more thrilling aspects of Heat. Both men and their respective teams are highly skilled at their jobs, which makes them formidable adversaries. McCauley discovers they are the target of an investigation and that the police have eyes on them. However, while he is taken by surprise, he ensures that he can turn the tables on his pursuers.

Vincent and his team track Neil’s crew to a location and overhear them discussing a job. Vincent and the police go over the area, trying to understand what the target is. Suddenly, Vincent realizes they are the targetsand Neil is watching them. He begrudgingly gives admiration to his enemy and admits, “We just got made.” It is a terrific moment where Hanna and his men discover that their adversary is not the common criminal and will be a worthy opponent for them.

7 “I Do What I Do Best; I Take Scores.”

Neil McCauley

With all the excitement of the shootouts and the heist sequences, it’s easy to forget that Heat is a simple story about two men doing their jobs. McCauley and Hanna do not see their roles as an epic battle but take a rather matter-of-fact approach to the situation as people who have found what they do best and pursue it. McCauley addresses the differences that could lead to them killing each other but hardly gives it more thought than that.

He talks as if there’s no choice, and they should both just play the hands that they’ve been dealt. They are on a path now and there is no sense in trying to avoid the inevitable conclusion. Heat can be a very philosophical movie at times, and quotes like these highlight its simple kind of wisdom.

6 “Brother, You Are Going Down.”

Vincent Hanna

The diner scene between Vincent and Neil is played out with civility with the two men finding common ground and even laughing with each other at the situation in front of them. In the end, the two men acknowledge the inevitable ending to this path they are on. Vincent explains that while he might have respect for Neil, if it’s between killing him to save some innocent lives, he has no choice, saying “Brother, you are going down.”

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Neil explains there is another side to that coin. If Vincent comes between Neil and his freedom, he won’t hesitate to kill him. It is a powerful moment of the mutual respect they share as they are both open and upfront about the fact that meeting face-to-face will not stop either of them from putting the other one down. This is a movie confrontation so towering that it has remained fresh for decades yet.

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5 “Well Ya Know, For Me, The Action Is The Juice.”

Michael Cheritto

When McCauley and his crew discover they are under surveillance by Hanna and his team, the risks of their next score become higher. The crew discusses whether it is worth it to do the bank heist as planned, knowing that they are being watched. McCauley suggests to his friend Michael that he doesn’t need the risk. He has enough money to call it quits but Michael responds that the thrill of the score is as appealing as the money.

While the movie isn’t all about its action sequences, they are notably exceptional, and this sentiment is what makes the film so exciting. While McCauley seems to be a more grounded and pragmatic character, there is a sense that such criminals are more like Michael, as they become addicted to the action rather than just looking for a big payday.

4 “Drop Of A Hat, These Guys Will Rock And Roll.”

Vincent Hanna

Hanna is appalled by the violence criminals like McCauley are capable of, but he does seem to hold some level of respect for professionalism at work. He is surprised when he finds thieves who know what they are doing. While going through the crime scene of the armored car robbery, he explains they are not killing for the sake of it, but rather because they are efficient.

While Waingro’s recklessness turned the situation deadly in an unnecessary way, McCauley and the others proved that they could be cold-blooded if they were cornered. When the situation escalated, they didn’t hesitate to kill the guards. Vincent understands that this impressive heist team is not messing around and immediately recognizes that he is dealing with a more sophisticated breed of criminals. It is a great early line to set the stage for a formidable match-up.

3 “Told You I’m Never Going Back.”

Neil McCauley

The entire movie feels like it is leading up to the inevitable showdown between Vincent and Neil. The epic feeling of that moment is even more effective not only because it is Pacino and De Niro, but also because these two men have such respect for each other. The climax of the film finds Vincent pursuing Neil at the airport and, despite any respect they might have for each other, they are both ready to kill.

There is a sense that either one of these characters could emerge victorious, it is Vincent who gets the upper hand. After Vincent guns Neil down, they share a final moment, giving Heat one of the most beautiful and memorable final shots in movies. Neil avoids jail and follows his code to his death, and De Niro makes the flawed character compelling to watch right up until the credits roll.

2 “Cause She’s Got A Great Ass!”

Vincent Hanna

Pacino has always been a fascinating performer and his role as Vincent Hanna brings a lot of energy. While De Niro plays the more reserved criminal, Vincent is unhinged, wild, and unpredictable. In a particularly memorable scene, Vincent confronts a man (Hank Azaria) who is having an affair with a woman involved in Neil’s gang. As the man laments why he got mixed up with her, Vincent screams “Cause she’s got a great ass!”

According to Azaria, his stunned reaction to the over-the-top moment was unscripted. The moment has become one of the most memorable in the film with Pacino’s wild delivery of the line and his subsequent explanations of why he did it makes for a hilarious moment that comes out of nowhere. It is a sign of how Pacino can elevate a role that would have been a lot flatter in the hands of other actors.

1 “…If You Feel The Heat Around The Corner.”

Neil McCauley

Though both Neil and Vincent find themselves on opposite sides of the law, the movie makes it clear that they are not too different from one another. They seem to understand that kinship immediately, and it’s Neil’s code for how to survive in this life that both men seem to live by. In McCauley’s eyes, there is nothing that he can be so attached to that he cannot lead in an instant if he is cornered.

Hanna acts as though he finds that a sad way to live, but he is perhaps not admitting to himself that he lives by a similar philosophy in order to be effective in his job. Both men live distant and lonely lives because of the paths they’ve chosen, and it’s unclear if they can or want to change that. As far as stand-out Heat quotes go, this one is essentially the movie’s mantra.

Heat

Michael Mann’s classic crime thriller Heat was released in 1995 and stars Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro as two men on opposite sides of the law whose live become tangled and destabilized in an intense game of cat-and-mouse. When one heist led by master thief Neil McCauley is compromised due to a clue left behind, LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Hanna finds himself obsessed with pursuing them in an ever-escalating war – one that may cause significant collateral damage. 

Director

Michael Mann

Release Date

December 15, 1995

Runtime

170 minutes