In 2019, The Irishman made a huge splash on Netflix, largely thanks to the weighty chemistry between lead actors Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. But that wasn’t the first time these acting titans shared the screen together. Heat is considered to be one of the greatest crime films of all time. 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, and Heat also boasts an impressive cast, with Pacino and De Niro as the leads. As a result, some of the best Heat quotes were immediately cemented into cinematic history.
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. 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 badass one-liners, insightful observations about life, and even 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 (Robert De Niro) and his crew getting double-crossed in a deal with a money launderer named Van Zant (William Fichtner). Unfortunately for Van Zant, he doesn’t know just 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, “I’m talking to an empty telephone… Cause there is a dead man on the other end of this f***ing line.” De Niro is ice-cold in his delivery, and it’s enough to send chills down anybody’s spine.
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 fun 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. 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.
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 in order to avoid getting caught, but the movie then explores him as a more complex character, particularly a burgeoning relationship with a young woman named Eady (Amy Brenneman). The relationship gives further insight into McCauley as he becomes slightly more vulnerable with her. When asked if he gets lonely in his solitary life, McCauley points out there is a difference between alone and lonely, which speaks to his detached view of the world. Heat is often a film that’s all about its mood, and lines like this create a perfect noir atmosphere.
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.
11 “I Had To Get It On.”
Waingro
Early in the film, Neil McCauley’s crew of professional thieves is introduced. While the crew is highly professional and effective, one new member, Waingro (Kevin Gage), is 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 clearly 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 Neil, taking away any sense that Waingro was a tough guy.
10 “What’d Ya Say I Buy You A Cup Of Coffee?”
Vincent Hanna
This simple line kicks off one of the most memorable movie scenes in history. After pursuing each other for much of the movie, 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 really bring the A-game to this moment. The men get candid about their lives, nightmares, and codes. According to Slash Film, Mann specifically didn’t want the two actors rehearsing the scene before filming, which ultimately paid off in spades.
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 opposite another, it is a gripping moment as these two men on opposite sides of the law, who are heading towards a collision course with each other, realize that they are not so different. As McCauley and Hanna speak frankly about their lives, Hanna asks McCauley the obvious question: did he ever want a normal life? However, McCauley dismisses that as “barbecues and ball games” and it’s clear Hanna feels the same way. In moments like these, 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 the movie. Both these men and their respective teams are highly skilled at their jobs, which makes them formidable adversaries. In one scene, Vincent and his team track Neil and his crew to a location and overhear them discussing an upcoming job. Afterward, Vincent and the cops go over the area, trying to understand what the target is. Suddenly, Vincent realizes that they were the targets and Neil is now watching them. He begrudgingly gives admiration to his enemy and admits, “We just got made.” It’s an unforgettable moment.
7 “I Do What I Do Best; I Take Scores. You Do What You Do Best; Try To Stop Guys Like Me.”
Neil McCauley
With all the excitement of the shootouts and the heist sequences, it’s easy to forget that Heat is a very simple story about two men doing their jobs. McCauley and Hanna do not see their roles as some epic battle but rather the thing that they are both good at doing. McCauley addresses their differences that could lead to them killing each other, but he has a very matter-of-fact view of it. He talks as if there’s no choice in the matter, and they should both just play the hands that they’ve been dealt. 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 a surprising amount of civility. However, in the end, the two men have to 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.” But Neil explains there is another side to that coin. If Vincent comes between Neil and his freedom, he won’t hesitate to kill him, even after their pleasant face-to-face. This is a movie confrontation so towering that it will remain fresh in film fans’ minds for decades yet.
5 “Well Ya Know, For Me, The Action Is The Juice.”
Michael Cheritto
When McCauley and his crew discover that they are under surveillance by Hanna and his team, the risks of their next score become a lot higher. The crew gathers together to discuss whether it is worth it to go through with their bank heist as planned. McCauley suggests to his friend Michael (Tom Sizemore) that he doesn’t need the risk, and he has enough money to call it quits right now and Michael responds with this memorable Heat quote. While the movie isn’t all about its action sequences, they are notably exceptional, and may fans of the film can relate to this sentiment.
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 the professionalism at work. He is used to chasing foolish criminals, so he is surprised when he finds some thieves that know what they are doing. While going through the crime scene of the armored car robbery, he explains that they are not killing for the sake of it, but rather because they are efficient. When the situation escalated, they didn’t hesitate to kill the guards to leave no witnesses. Vincent understands that this impressive heist team is not messing around and drops this great Heat quote.
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 feel 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. After Vincent guns Neil down, they are able to share a final moment, giving Heat one of the most beautiful and memorable final shots of the 90s. 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 to the film. While De Niro plays the more reserved criminal, Vincent is unhinged, wild, and unpredictable. Pacino seems to be having a great time with the role. 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.
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. The two men seem to understand that kinship immediately, and it is Neil’s codes for how to survive in this life that both men seem to live by. The words Neil lives by are “Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.” 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.
