Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Vince Vaughn: Sgt Howell

Photos 

Quotes 

• Sgt Howell : I believe any man who takes great *pride* in his natural naked state will surely enjoy the *brisk* of the outdoors. Now, move your *privates*, Private Parts!... Move it!... You son of an *exhibitionist*!

• Sgt Howell : I have seen stalks of corn with better physiques. Makes me want to pull an *ear* off, Private! Can you carry your weight?

  Desmond Doss : Yes, Sergeant!

  Sgt Howell : Should be *easy* for you then! Corporal!

  Corporal Jessop : Sergeant.

  Sgt Howell : Make sure you keep this man away from strong winds.

• Sgt Howell : Have you ever roped a goat, Hollywood?

  Hollywood Zane : No, Sarge.

  Sgt Howell : Have you ever looked into a goat's eyes?

  Hollywood Zane : No, Sarge.

  Sgt Howell : Good. That would be unnatural.

• Desmond Doss : You want some morphine?

  Sgt Howell : Hell, yes. That or a bullet.

• Sgt Howell : You are a very strange-looking individual, if you don't mind me saying so, Private. Name?

  Ghoul : Andy Walker.

  Sgt Howell : How long have you been dead, son?

  Ghoul : Sir?

  Sgt Howell : I am not "Sir!" I am Sergeant Howell or Sarge. "Sir" you save for useless people. The name is "Ghoul," you say?

  Ghoul : Walker, Sergeant!

  Sgt Howell : Ghoul it is.

  Ghoul : Yes, Sergeant!

• Sgt Howell : [if you]  Plan on getting wet this weekend, make sure you put on a hat.

  Corporal Jessop : Next!

  Sgt Howell : I don't want anyone comin' back pissin' cream.

  Smitty Ryker : What, you don't want none for your coffee, Sarge?

• [Sgt. Howell arrives at the barracks the night after Doss had been beaten by his fellow recruits] 

  Sgt Howell : As you were. Where's Doss?

  [everyone turns to the back of the barracks where Doss - visibly beaten - has just finished his shower; Sgt, Howell is disturbed by the sight and breathes a sigh of melancholy] 

  Sgt Howell : [sympathetic]  This isn't good for anybody.

  Desmond Doss : Sure ain't what I joined up for.

  Sgt Howell : It's not about what you signed up for. It's about the lives of every man in here... and yours, son. It's time you quit this. Finish gettin' dressed and I'll walk you down. It's okay, Doss. There's no shame in this. Let's go.

  Desmond Doss : I got extra guard duty today, and I'm on KP this morning, so... can't.

  Sgt Howell : [nods impressed with his character]  All right, Doss.

  [shifts to professional tone] 

  Sgt Howell : Private Doss, can you identify the men that beat you?

  Desmond Doss : No, Sarge.

  Sgt Howell : Are you saying that you don't know who attacked you?

  Desmond Doss : I never said I was attacked, Sarge.

  Sgt Howell : Well, what the hell are you sayin', Doss? You bruised half your body sleepin'?

  Desmond Doss : I... I sleep pretty hard.

  Sgt Howell : [Doss has finally won him over]  All right.

• Sgt Howell : This is a personal gift from the United States government to each and every one of you -- a standard issue U.S. rifle, caliber .30, M1, a clip-fed, shoulder-fired, semi-automatic weapon designed to bring death and destruction to the enemy. This is to be your lover, your mistress, your concubine, perhaps the only thing in life you'll ever truly love.

  Corporal Jessop : Fellas, let's dance. Grab a girl.

  [the privates begin grabbing weapons] 

  Sgt Howell : Don't point your gun forward. I do not want to be shot today, no matter how much you are tempted. Place the weapon by your side. Pay attention.

  [one rifle remains in the rack; Doss is the only one who has not picked one up] 

  Sgt Howell : Problem, Private Corn Stalk? Is there not one in your size, or is it the color that is the issue?

  Desmond Doss : No, Sarge. I was... I was told I don't have to carry a weapon.

  Sgt Howell : Come again? Step forward, Private. I can't be hearin' this right.

  Desmond Doss : Well, I'm sorry, Sergeant. I can't touch a gun.

  Captain Glover : [new scene in Captain Glover's office]  What exactly is the problem?

  Desmond Doss : No problem, just a mistake, sir. I-I... I told the Army when I s... when I joined up...

  Captain Glover : That's not possible. Do you know why it's not possible, Private?

  Desmond Doss : No, sir.

  Captain Glover : 'Cause the United States Army does not make mistakes; so, if there's a problem, you must be that problem.

  Desmond Doss : I was just never supposed to be sent to a rifle company.

  Sgt Howell : He's a C.O., sir.

  Captain Glover : You're a conscientious objector, and you joined the Army?

  Desmond Doss : Well, no, sir, I'm... I'm a conscientious cooperator.

  Captain Glover : [bemused]  Are you screwin' with me, Doss?

  Desmond Doss : No. No, sir. I volunteered. I ain't got no... no problem with wearing my uniform or salutin' the flag and-and doing my duty. It's just... just carrying a gun and the taking of human life.

  Captain Glover : You don't kill. That's all?

  Desmond Doss : Yes, sir, that's all.

  Captain Glover : You know, quite a bit of killing does occur in a war?

  Desmond Doss : Yes, sir.

  Captain Glover : I mean, that is the essential nature of war.

  Desmond Doss : Yes, sir.

  Captain Glover : All right. You have any other requirements of the United States Army? Is there anything else that we can do to ensure that you have a comfortable stay here with us?

  Sgt Howell : He doesn't wanna... work on Saturdays, sir.

  Desmond Doss : Well, Saturdays... I'm a Seventh-Day Adventist, so... Saturday is MY Sabbath, so I'm not allowed to work then.

  Captain Glover : I don't think that poses a problem, do you, Sergeant? We shall simply ask the enemy not to invade on the Sabbath, 'cause Private Doss here's at prayer. All right. And now we got that clear. Now let me tell you my requirements. They're not as complicated as yours. They're very simple. As long as you're in this company, under my command, you will obey my orders. Period. If you can't do it here, I can't trust you to do it in battle. I'm putting you in for a Section 8, psychiatric discharge. Dismissed.

• Sgt Howell : [referring to the knife impaled into the top of Smitty's foot]  Who placed the knife there, Private?

  Smitty Ryker : It was an accident, Sarge. We was playin' Stretch.

  Sgt Howell : I'm heartened by the knowledge you did not place it there with intention.

• Sgt Howell : Gentlemen! I want you to meet Private Desmond Doss. Apparently, Private Doss does not believe in violence. He does not practice violence. He will not even deign to touch a weapon. You see, Private Doss is a conscientious objector, so I plead with you -- do not look to him to save you on the battlefield, because he will undoubtedly be too busy wrestling with his conscience to assist.

  Desmond Doss : Sarge, that's not true. Sarge...

  Sgt Howell : PRIVATE, AS YOU WERE! Now, I realize some of you might have strong feelings about this. It is what we men fight for -- to defend our rights, and to protect our women and children, even if Private Doss' beliefs might cause women and children to die -- so, I will expect everyone in this company to give Private Doss the full measure of respect he is DUE for the short time he will be with us. Am I clear?

• Sgt Howell : Okay, boys, find yourself a nice, safe hole in or near the bunker. Rotate watch every two hours. We don't know what's out there. Heads down, asses lower, and shoot anything that don't speak English.

  Soldier : That include Grease, Sarge?

  Sgt Howell : Particularly him.

• Sgt Howell : Move! A sitting duck's a dead one!