Clear and Present Danger (1994)

James Earl Jones: Admiral Greer

Photos 

Quotes 

• [On whether Jack should investigate the growing scandal] 

  Admiral Greer : You took an oath, if you recall, when you first came to work for me. And I don't mean to the National Security Advisor of the United States, I mean to his boss... and I don't mean the President. You gave your word to his boss: you gave your word to the people of the United States. Your word is who you are.

• Admiral Greer : [speaking to Jack Ryan]  You want to know about politics in Washington? Four words. Watch your back, Jack.

• Admiral Greer : I leave you alone for two weeks, and you walk straight into a big bear trap.

  Jack Ryan : I don't know what I was thinking.

  Admiral Greer : You were thinking about impressing the President of the United States, and you shouldn't do that.

• Admiral Greer : I'm not dead yet. But I am in the hospital, which means that I'm not in my office, which means I don't know what's going on. I need you there.

  Jack Ryan : Where?

  Admiral Greer : In my office, doing my job.

  Jack Ryan : Oh, wait. I...

  Admiral Greer : I hate not knowing what's going on, Jack. You know that.

  Jack Ryan : I wouldn't know the first thing about doing your job, sir.

  Admiral Greer : You've been around. No big mystery. You've been to the White House.

  Jack Ryan : Once. I hated it.

  Admiral Greer : No, you didn't.

• Admiral Greer : I thought I had the flu. I'd still think I had the flu if they weren't telling me otherwise.

  Jack Ryan : Well, what are they telling you?

  Admiral Greer : Pancreatic cancer of an aggressive nature, if I heard them right.

  Jack Ryan : Oh, Jesus. Well, uh, what does that mean?

  Admiral Greer : I guess it means I'm in big trouble.

  Jack Ryan : No, I mean, can they... can they operate or...

  Admiral Greer : Maybe. That's what they said, "maybe." Which sounds suspiciously like "no" to me.

• Jack Ryan : [leaving a briefing in the Oval Office]  What was that in there? Are you all right?

  Admiral Greer : Yeah.

  Jack Ryan : Jeez. I haven't slept in 36 hours. I make any sense?

  Admiral Greer : I don't know. What did you say?

  [seeing Jack's look] 

  Admiral Greer : Just kidding. Good job.

• Admiral Greer : How's Ritter behaving?

  Jack Ryan : Ritter? Oh, Ritter's Ritter. He's leaving me alone.

  Admiral Greer : Are you sure? Watch him like a hawk.

• Admiral Greer : How high the pile on your desk?

  Jack Ryan : [pantomiming]  About this high.

  Admiral Greer : Now it's this high.

  Jack Ryan : What have you got?

  Admiral Greer : You heard about that business in the south Caribbean?

  Jack Ryan : Yeah, a little bit.

  Admiral Greer : I need the full skinny.

  Jack Ryan : By when?

  Admiral Greer : As soon as you can.

  Jack Ryan : Okay.

  Admiral Greer : Jack?

  Jack Ryan : Yes, sir?

  Admiral Greer : Be discreet.

  Jack Ryan : What do you mean?

  Admiral Greer : You'll find out.

  Jack Ryan : Mysterious. Ooh...

  [Greer chuckles] 

  Jack Ryan : I love a mystery.