I'll be back

For The Beatles' song, see I'll Be Back (song).

"I'll be back"
"I'll be back" in cement.
Character	Terminator
Actor	Arnold Schwarzenegger
Created by	James Cameron
First used in	The Terminator
Voted #37 in AFI's 100 Movie Quotes poll
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"I'll be back" is a catchphrase associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger, which he first used in his role as the title character from the 1984 science fiction thriller film The Terminator. In the original shooting script, the line was written as "I'll come back".^[1][2] On 21 July 2005, it was chosen as #37 on the American Film Institute list, AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes.^[3]

In many of his later films, Schwarzenegger uses the same line, or some variant of it. In the context of The Terminator, Schwarzenegger's character delivers the phrase upon being refused entry to a police station. Moments later, he comes back in a police car, smashing it through the doors, and commences a massacre of almost everyone in the building.

Variations

Since The Terminator, variations of the line have been used by Schwarzenegger in a number of other films in which he appears. The phrase has become so associated with Schwarzenegger that celebrity impression comedians often recite it in a mock Austrian accent.

• The Terminator (1984) – "I'll be back". Said by the Terminator after being denied entrance to a police station. The character returns by driving a car through the front door. Schwarzenegger has been quoted that he hadn't thought much about the line when filming the movie. James Cameron notes in the DVD features that he expected the line to only get a laugh upon repeat viewings when what the character means is known, and was surprised to see it get a big reaction from first-time audiences who had quickly come to understand the character and immediately anticipated the outrageous violence the nonchalant line signifies. In the novelization of the film script, titled The Terminator by Shaun Hutson the Terminator says "I'll come back," rather than "I'll be back," on page 117. ISBN 0 352 31645 4.
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) – "Stay here, I'll be back." (1:53:47) Said by The Terminator to Sarah and John Connor during the escape from the Cyberdyne building. The character returns by driving a truck through the front door to rescue the human protagonists trapped inside, referencing the same scene in the first movie.
• Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) – "She'll be back", said by the Terminator in reference to the enemy T-X android, and "I'm back!" after flying a helicopter into the antechamber of a military bunker, and emerging from the wreckage. In the latter use, the phrase "I'm back" also refers to his return to loyalty and allegiance with the protagonists, after having been "corrupted" by the villainous T-X. Schwarzenegger also uses it in the DVD introduction.
• Terminator Salvation (2009) – "I'll be back." Said by John Connor after being asked by his wife Kate Brewster "What should I tell your men when they find out you're gone?"

In other films

In addition to being the Terminator's catchphrase, it's also Schwarzenegger's personal catchphrase, and he tries to include it in most of his films and public appearances.^{[citation needed]}

• Commando (1985) – "I'll be back, Bennett!", before being put on an airplane against his will at the behest of the film's main villain Bennett (Vernon Wells). Bennett eagerly retorts, "I'll be ready, John."
• Raw Deal (1986) – "I'll be right back", said Mark Kaminski (Schwarzenegger) to Max Keller in 1:14:02 time of film.
• The Running Man (1987) – "Killian, I'll be back", said to reality/game show host Damon Killian (Richard Dawson), who does not expect Schwarzenegger's character to survive the broadcast. Killian's response is, "Only in a rerun."
• Twins (1988) – "If you're lying to me, I'll be back!" (0:58:40-43), to the doctor who headed the experiment that created him.
• Kindergarten Cop (1990) – "I'm back!", returning from the hospital to his kindergarten class in the ending scene.
• Last Action Hero (1993) – this phrase is used three times. "I'll be back.... Ha! Bet you didn't expect me to say that!" (0:40:56-0:41:01), said as Jack Slater, a character played by Schwarzenegger in a film-within-the-film. Schwarzenegger also plays himself in the real movie. It was said to the child protagonist, Danny Madigan, who is aware of Schwarzenegger's real-life use of the phrase. Madigan answered: "You always say that." "I do?" "Everybody waits for you to say it. It is like your calling card." The second time it is used, Madigan overtakes Slater and says to him: "I'll be back. I know. I know." (0:46:10-11). In the third instance, Ripper said this phrase to Slater (1:44:45-49). Slater answered: "The hell you will".
• Jingle All the Way (1996) – In the movie Schwarzenegger says to his character's wife: "I'll be back with the doll later…".
• The 6th Day (2000) – Schwarzenegger's character is visiting a 're-pet' store and notices a 'sim-pal' stand outside. He turns to the sale assistant: "I might be back." The assistant replies, "Oh, you'll be back."

Schwarzenegger has since used the phrase during public speeches as part of his career as the governor of the U.S. state of California.^[4][5]

See also

• Hasta la vista, baby – another of Schwarzenegger's catchphrases.

References

1. ^ The Terminator, retrieved November 9, 2007
2. ^ The Terminator, retrieved November 9, 2007
3. ^ "Frankly, My Dear, I Don't Give A Damn", AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes, American Film Institute.
4. ^ TotallyJewish.com | News | World
5. ^ DailyBulletin.com - Schwarzenegger visits Rancho

External links

• The Meaning of I'll Be Back at The New York Times Tuesday, January 6, 2009.
• I'll be back