“- Derek Vinyard: This country is becoming a haven for criminals so what do you expect? You know, decent hard-working Americans like my dad are getting rubbed out by social parasites.
- Reporter: Parasites?
- Derek Vinyard: Blacks, Browns, Yellow whatever.”
Edward Norton - Derek Vinyard
Steve Wolford - Reporter

“White folks just don't like to be pushed into a corner. They'll come around. You just got to make it look like it was their idea, like they're the ones that thought of it. They need to feel like they're the great emancipators. Like it was theirs to give in the first place. If that's all it takes, let them have it.”
Laurence Fishburne - Edward

“- Roger Murtaugh: Of course I'm black. That's why I want to go to South Africa...to join my oppressed brothers as they take up the struggle against this racist, fascist, white minority regime!
- Leo Getz: Racist white regime!
- Roger Murtaugh: One man, one vote!”
Danny Glover - Roger Murtaugh
Joe Pesci - Leo Getz

“I heard what the police did, and I'm not saying it was right. But you think the blacks wouldn't do the same thing to us, and worse, if they had half the chance? Do you think they'll let us go on living our nice, quiet, peaceful lives if they win? They'll swallow us up!”

Janet Suzman - Susan

“- Tony Lip: I don't make the rules down here.
- Dr. Donald Shirley: No? Then who does?
- Tony Lip: You're saying just 'cause I'm white and they're white? You know, that's a very prejudiced thing you just said there. A very prejudiced thing. I got more in common with the Hymies at 2nd Avenue Deli than I do with these hillbilly pricks down here.”
Viggo Mortensen - Tony Lip
Mahershala Ali - Dr. Donald Shirley