Cape Fear (1991) quotes

Cast
Robert De Niro.
Nick Nolte.
Jessica Lange.
Juliette Lewis.

A convicted rapist, released from prison after serving a fourteen-year sentence, stalks the family of the lawyer who originally defended him.

If you hold on to the past, you die a little each day…
– Danielle

Counselor! Come out, come out, wherever you are!
– Max Cady

Well, gee golly gosh. I sure am sorry I offended you, you white trash piece of shit.
– Claude Kersek

I don’t know whether to look at him or read him.
– Lieutenant Elgart

You learn about loss.
– Max Cady

I ain’t no white trash piece of shit. I’m better than you all! I can out-learn you. I can out-read you. I can out-think you. And I can out-philosophize you. And I’m gonna outlast you. You think a couple whacks to my guts is gonna get me down? It’s gonna take a hell of a lot more than that, Counselor, to prove you’re better than me!
– Max Cady

I understand, I’m not your type, too many tattoos. Thing is, there isn’t much to do in prison except desecrate your flesh.
– Max Cady

No, you’re scared. But that’s okay. I want you to savor that fear. The South evolved in fear; fear of the Indian, fear of the slave, fear of the damn Union. The South has a fine tradition of savoring fear.
– Claude Kersek

Are you a cop? Or were you a cop? Or were you not good enough to remain on the force? Cause you know what? That’s the feeling I’m getting here.
– Max Cady

Well, pardon me all over the place.
– Lieutenant Elgart

It’s not necessary to lay a foul tongue on me my friend. I could get upset. Things could get out of hand. Then in self defense, I could do something to you that you would not like, right here.
– Max Cady

“I am like God, and God like me. I am as large as God, He is as small as I. He cannot above me, nor I beneath Him be.” Silesius, 17th Century.
– Max Cady

I understand, I’m not your type, too many tattoos. Thing is, there isn’t much to do in prison except desecrate your flesh.
– Max Cady

You ready to be born again, Miss Bowden?
– Max Cady

Every man… every man has to go through hell to reach paradise.
– Max Cady

Are you my friend? Are you my friend?
– Max Cady
No I’m not your friend.
– Claude Kersek
Well, see, I like to plan my comings and goings with friends, so if you’re planning my comings and goings I’d call that presumptuous, in fact I’d call it downright rude.
– Max Cady

Your mommy’s not happy… your daddy’s not happy, and you know what? You’re not happy.
– Max Cady

My reminiscence. I always thought that for such a lovely river the name is mystifying: “Cape Fear”. When the only thing to fear on those enchanted summer nights was that the magic would end and real life would come crashing in.
– Danielle