Ladder 49 Quotations

Ladder 49 is a 2004 film which follows the life of fictional Baltimore City Firefighter Jack Morrison from his first day at the firehouse to the most challenging highrise fire of his career.

Directed by Jay Russell. Written by Lewis Colick.

Their greatest challenge lies in rescuing one of their own taglines

Chief Kennedy

People are always asking me how is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out. Courage is the answer.
It's never an easy thing, saying goodbye to a brother firefighter, it's not. And this time, particularly is difficult for me because I watched Jack grow into a, well, into one of the finest firefighters I've ever known. He joined this department because he wanted to help people, who knows how many homes are still standing because Jack was there or how many lives were spared. He gave his life for that cause. We'll never forget you Jack. And we're better for having known you. But I make you this one promise, tomorrow when that bell rings, we will be back on the truck, because you were the bravest of the brave. People are always asking me, how is it that firefighters run into a burning building when everyone else is running out? Well, Jack, you answered that question by saving another man's life. Your courage is the answer. And today we will be as brave as you, by not mourning you, but by celebrating your life. So I'd like everyone to stand up and celebrate the life of Jack Morrison.
Hey! What the hell is going on in here! Huh? I come back from tellin' a mother her son is dead, and this is goin' on, in my house, IN MY HOUSE! We deal with this by stickin' together. We take it. We learn from it. And we get back on the god damn truck and that's how we honor Dennis. You got that? Anyone think about lowering the flag? Do it!

Jack Morrison

You know, Mike asked me tonight if I loved the job like I did before, and for the first time in my life, I didn't know what to say.
[Latched onto a frantic man while hanging from a rope] Calm down! Sir - you need to calm down! I swear to God I'll drop you!
Tell Linda I love her... That I've loved her from the second I saw her.

Other

Ray Gauquin: No more beer for Linda. Doubles for Jack - he's gonna be a father!
Lenny Richter: I'm getting too old for this shit.

Dialogues

Jack Morrison: Linda, what is wrong?

Linda Morrison: I saw you on the news, Jack, dangling from a rope! How could you tell me that it's not dangerous?

Jack Morrison: I never said it wasn't dangerous.

Linda Morrison: When we talked about it, I asked you and you said it wasn't dangerous.

Jack Morrison: I said it wasn't any more dangerous than being on the engine! I never said it wasn't dangerous!

Linda Morrison: Do... do... do you see me right now? Do you? 'Cos this isn't just about us. Have you thought about that?

[Jack approaches Linda]

Linda Morrison: Don't. Don't.

Jack Morrison: [whispers] I'm sorry.

Linda Morrison: I'm scared. I can't sleep. I keep having that dream about the red car turning up in front of the house when you don't come home.

[Jack gets closer to Linda]

Linda Morrison: Don't.

Jack Morrison: [as he walks away] I saved that man today.

Linda Morrison: Have you ever considered baby-sitting full time?

Chief Kennedy: What do you think I do at the firehouse?

Lenny Richter: Good confession now son... bless me father...

Jack Morrison: Bless me father for I have sinned. It's been seven years since my last confession

Lenny Richter: Seven years is a long time

Jack Morrison: Yes, father

Lenny Richter: All right, where do we start; theft, robbery, fraud, taxes?

Jack Morrison: Well, you know...

Lenny Richter: Taxes? Always taxes... How about sex? Impure thoughts?

Jack Morrison: Well yes, quite a bit

Lenny Richter: Try to cut back. Are you married?

Jack Morrison: No

Lenny Richter: Are you a virgin?

Jack Morrison: [laughs] No, father

Lenny Richter: What? you think its funny to fornicate with loose women?

Jack Morrison: What?

[smiles]

Jack Morrison: ...wait a minute...

[they all laugh]

Linda Morrison: Hi, I've heard alot about you!

Chief Kennedy: Yeah?

Linda Morrison: Yeah; you wear really sexy boxers, right? With the red love hearts on them?... little too tight?

Linda Morrison: So, you guys usually pick up girls in the supermarket? For fun, or...?

Jack Morrison: Usually I just throw them over my shoulder and carry them down a ladder.

Linda Morrison: [smiles] Sort of a tarzan/jane thing?

Lenny Richter: [during the traditional false-confession initiation] How about sex? Are you a virgin?

Keith Perez: No, sir.

Lenny Richter: You think it's funny to fornicate with loose women?

Keith Perez: No, sir.

Lenny Richter: Well, if you want to have sex, why don't you just get married?

Keith Perez: I can't, sir.

Lenny Richter: Why?

Keith Perez: Well, the church doesn't allow two men to get married...

Lenny Richter: [to the other firefighters] What the...

Keith Perez: [pulls back the curtain, laughing]

Keith Perez: GOTCHA!

Jack Morrison: There's something I wanted to talk to you about, Cap. I was thinking of transferring to the truck.

Chief Kennedy: Oh, geez. What the hell do you want to do that for? You're an engine man. Truck's a whole different thing. No water between you and the fire, no hose to lead you out if you get lost in the smoke. Not a good idea.

Jack Morrison: I know that, Cap. And I love being on the pipe, but... I want this, Mike.

Chief Kennedy: Ok. We'll give it a try. But you gotta tell me something. If this isn't for you, you tell me right away. Promise?

Jack Morrison: Yes, sir.

Dennis Gauquin: [bringing beer to the table] Here we go, green beers all around.

Linda Morrison: I'm good, thanks.

Dennis Gauquin: Uh, Linda? It's Saint Paddy's Day, everyone drinks.

Linda Morrison: It's okay, I'm not drinking, I'll just have a diet coke.

Dennis Gauquin: What, are you pregnant?

[long silence from Linda]

Jack Morrison: [Jack looks incredulously at Linda who nods] What? You're kidding!

Linda Morrison: Baby, I was gonna wait and tell you tonight. I wanted to surprise you!

Taglines

A bond forged by fire is never broken.
The fire starts this fall.
Their greatest challenge lies in rescuing one of their own
Everything they know. All that they love. Is what they risk every day.

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix - Jack Morrison
John Travolta - Captain Mike Kennedy
Jacinda Barrett - Linda Morrison
Robert Patrick - Lenny Richter
Morris Chestnut - Tommy Drake
Billy Burke - Dennis Gauquin

Quoternity