I Didn't Kill My Wife ...

What he said was true ... but it wasn't relevant or important to his audience

[@enriquesinghjr]

The genius of "I don't care" is that the *marshal* is so focused on his task, bringing the fugitive in, he's not a judge, he's just doing his job.

[@Mikey-gs1dx]

marshal not detective. A detective should care. A marshal is just a fugitive apprehension specialist.

[@AlexKB1111]

Wrong terminology but yeah you’re right. He’s a US Marshal and their job is to apprehend fugitives. Gerard doesn’t decide whether or not he’s charged with murder or tried in a court. His job is simply to bring in the fugitive and if the fugitive is later found not guilty in court then so be it. As long as he brought the guy in, guilty or innocent, he’s done his job.

[@mickfunny4185]

Alex Bauman it’s like Muller, he’s not going to send Trump to prison,he’s just going to apprehend him. Trump will be all “I never did business with Russians” and Mueller will be like “I don’t care”

[@bestofhumans4715]

Tommy Lee Jones improvised this line! Perhaps the most famous movie improv ever. He won a well-deserved Oscar for it.

[@ThomasPerezGhost]

He was a US Marshal not a detective. Which proves your point further since his job is literally just to recover the fugitive. He has nothing to do with the murder investigation that landed him in jail in the first place.

[@davidharris1194]

Gerard was supposed to say "That isn't my problem" but he improvised.

[@tomroller7755]

Really? That is awesome!

[@chrismhp]

The entire scene was originally a 3-page long back-and-forth between them. As you see they ended up with ad-libbing it down to the two central things the characters were trying to say to each other.

[@davidharris1194]

+Chiros Ie My favorite scene was the later one when Kimble calls Gerard from the apartment of the one-armed man. Apparently on the DVD there was some deleted scenes from crackpots calling the Marshal's Office claiming to be Kimble which is way one of them says "another Richard Kimble" calling. Kimble ends speculation by saying first "Remember what I told you in the tunnel?" because then Gerard knows that it is something only he and Kimble would know.

[@boppob1343]

Not exactly like they improvised while filming. They were filming the original scene, it wasn't working, so the director and the actors came together to change the dialogue. Then filmed it.

[@SirJamesthePaul]

And that’s why he got an Oscar. :)

[@Stardweller1]

I interpret Gerard's response as, "It's the jury's job to determine your innocence or guilt, not mine. My job is simply to catch you."

[@starter47990]

Bingo

[@thewewguy8t88]

The first time I saw it granted this was the only context I had I saw it as he was the one who killed his wife that being said I also remberd it being exactly like the Simpsons and him saying it the same way lol. I was 6 or 7 years old and walked into the living room with my mom watching this exact scene lol.

[@Peaches.Gonsalez]

That's how I see it as well.

[@emeraldstar0967]

"I didn't kill my wife!" "I don't care!" LOL!!!! I was expecting we dramatic exchange but this had me in tears! Classic!!!!

[@nathancruz9172]

Emeraldstar09 0:33 😆

[@victorpradha9946]

THIS is the difference between showing and telling. The terse exchange is showing. A huge dialogue would be telling!

[@blenderbanana]

Mr.Jones is brilliant.

[@TelvanniGuard]

But it is important... Tommy doesn't care that he didn't kill his wife. He just wants to catch him because that's what he does.

[@EnemaBagJones24601]

I think the uploader is saying that Kimble's statement ("I didn't kill my wife!"), while true, isn't important to Gerard (Kimble's audience in this case).

[@mushroomhead3619]

Kimble; I’m not an alien! Agent K: I don’t care.

[@ecuadoriangringos]

Exactly. As a retired Federal Agent I can not tell you how many people told me they were innocent. Truth is (and was) it was not my job to determine that a person is or is not guilty. It is that simple...

[@marlorice2152]

@@ecuadoriangringos awesome

[@Kira22558]

@@ecuadoriangringos ironically

[@geoffbruce8605]

It's wonderful that Tommy Lee Jones himself changed the line to this. I forget what it was supposed to be before, but in the original script it was something like "That isn't my problem." "I don't care" is just such a perfect reaction for his character at this point in the film. It's not really an improvisation since he didn't do it on the spot, but it's still a great example of an actor changing a line himself.

[@einaripeltoniemi1512]

if i remember correctly the original line was supposed to be somwhere along the lines of "Prove it"

[@Bikewithlove]

It’s a funny line because what’s the alternative? “Well, why didn’t you say so? Ok, I’ll just go back to headquarters empty-handed and they can just assign me a different case, and we’ll just leave you alone forever even though your wife’s murder is unsolved.”

[@robjackson5245]

@@einaripeltoniemi1512 Might have been, but the official original was, "It's not my problem." But that would have made Tommy Lee more cold and uncaring than he really is. His characters are stern, not assholes.

[@robjackson5245]

@einaripeltoniemi1512 although given Tommy Lee's hardass bravado it was likely "prove it" before it was "it's not my problem."

[@commanderkeen3787]

The original line was "Rubber baby buggy bumpers. HOO-AH!!!" but Tommy Lee Jones refused to say it as he felt it didn't fit the character, and wisely improvised the line "I don't care" instead

[@BoyNamedSue4]

With a single line, you learn everything you ever need to know about his character.

[@MattAlbie]

I always loved that he added that line. It's so perfect for the no nonsense character. I didn't kill my wife! What do you expect me to do with that information? I'm a man hunter, not your lawyer.

[@rickblaine9670]

Kimble: I didn’t kill my wife! Gerard: I know.

[@HacksignKT]

lel

[@jayparmo2284]

I love this line. And it fits really well in the film. He isnt tasked with investigating a murder. He is tasked with taking down the fugitive.

[@bizzy24100]

well Gerard did get tasked into solving a murder for how Kimble was luring him into proving his innocence.

[@owensentis]

Damn, even while being held up at gunpoint he's still the most intimidating thing ever.

[@michaelschaefer1904]

Yep, this beats anything Eastwood said.

[@robjackson5245]

@michaelschaefer1904 You can't compare. They're both good. They both truly are tough and hit it hard, unlike these so-called tough rappers.

[@kruks]

@@michaelschaefer1904 - Going to disagree pretty vehemently here.

[@codename617]

I like this scene, it shows what kind of guy Gerard is. You see him handling all the big boy stuff with setting up a perimeter to hunt down and capture Kimble, but when Kimble, at gunpoint says "I didn't kill my wife." Gerard still keeps his cool and shows what he's all about. By saying "I dont care." he's showing he will not back down. And that is why Deputy Gerard has his own movie U.S Marshall.

[@Batman1989King]

Fiennes, DiCaprio, Postlethwaite, and Malkovich: I should have won the Oscar!!!!!! Tommy Lee Jones: I don't care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jamesjabronski]

sean penn shouldve won that year... set the bar way too high for cokefueled corrupt lawyers

[@nathancruz9172]

Batman1989King 0:29-0:32 😆

[@darthtrip7188]

Sean Penn didn't deserve the Oscar that year..Tommy Lee Jones deserved the Oscar by a long shot. Well deserved and earned. I'm glad he won.

[@DoctorXander]

Ralph Fiennes definitely deserved it but I guess the Academy was uncomfortable awarding a performance of a Nazi

[@peterfrank3365]

As much as I love Tommy Lee Jones as Gerard, Ralph Fiennes definitely delivered the better and more complex performance that year.

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

MIB Fans: “We wanted you and Will Smith back for MIB 4!” Tommy Lee Jones: “I don’t care!”

[@XxXwafflesxXxx]

I did not hit her

[@obblivionkr]

+Joshua Ravenel I did naht

[@thekraken108]

Oh hai Tommy Lee Jones!

[@Mattos77]

I don't care! :P

[@SlitSys]

They are lying! I did not kill her! I deed naht...

[@YUNICAT49]

Oh hai Mark

[@stiwy7376]

80s to early 2000s. The best decades human kind have gone through. Unforgettable, unbeatable times

[@Fearlessfranek]

Han Solo's final words

[@lampham5525]

Harrison Ford: I didnt kill my wife TLJ: I missed the part where is that my problem!

[@coconuthead1361]

So how many people legitimately laughed out loud at this scene?

[@emeraldstar0967]

*slowly raises hand*

[@marcen12]

I don't care!

[@TheGodGamr]

I'll be honest, I might have chuckled

[@samuelli-a-sam]

Me😂

[@travisallen1640]

Me lol

[@INNACCES13]

I think the saddest part about this scene is Richard smiling after hearing that. Probably the first and most honest thing he has heard in ages.

[@michaelschaefer1904]

I don't know if that's a smile. It seems more like a cynical reflex, like jumping off the edge of a waterfall.

[@electrollama2127]

Looks more like trying to catch his breath.

[@robjackson5245]

That's cause nobody was trying to confuse him. Everyone was openly being arrogant to him though. So no one was denying anything.

[@kruks]

That's not a smile, that's a grimace.

[@robjackson5245]

@@kruks Grimace implies arrogance. I think he just lost it mostly because everyone has tried to hurt him.

[@CrysisFear]

Love how simpsons turned this scene into a great joke.

[@shanemerrigan1994]

Both humorous and character defining, this has to be one of the best improvised movie moments.

[@laurasutcliffe723]

Throwing both hands up like Tommy does and saying "I don't care" has become a staple in response with my friends from '93 when we were 13. We still don't care!! 😹

[@notoriousd.i.g.87]

As a kid I walked in on my uncle watching this movie and heard this line, and it's just the funniest thing ever till this day

[@lewisner]

My favourite funny line in a movie is from Falling Down when Bill smirks at the gangster and says "you missed".

[@DinosaurFan88]

The perfect way to sum up your apathy about something.

[@kmeyers85]

I bet you it only took him one take. "I DON'T CARE!"

[@codename617]

The script said "That's not my problem." Tommy made it simple and to the point which suits his character and says everything you need to know about him. BTW sorry im 4 years late :D

[@StormX6]

Bucky: I didn't kill your dad! Black Panther: I DON'T CARE

[@TheStarcraftJACKAL]

Funny how Tony said the same thing when Captain tried to talk him out of murdering Bucky.

[@buckaroobanzai7063]

Black Panther actually did say that to Hawkeye.

[@yourface1232]

He said “then why did you run”

[@3Rayfire]

Bucky: I did kill your Dad. Cap: He wasn't in control of himself Tony. Tony: I DON'T CARE. He killed my Mom.

[@davidsonfrith3362]

HI I'M CLINT

[@ayhankorkmaz9004]

HE HAD A MECANICAL ARM

[@3Rayfire]

"I didn't kill my wife!" "I DON'T CARE!" "So I'm not gonna kill you." "I CARE ABOUT THAT!"

[@datpixelartboipixel9503]

Fun Fact: Tommy forgot his line, so instead he said "I don't care"

[@sCiphre]

Love how Harrison Ford is barely keeping from laughing out loud. Fucker knows he just witnessed history.

[@DKrueger1994]

basically, in real life, that's what the U.S. Marshals are really are: they don't care if you committed murder or not, they will hunt you down and bring you to court

[@chasformer3091]

What was he supposed to say?

[@JackTheripper911]

Chasformer Actually he knew the original line, the line was "so you didnt kill your wife" however he thought the line was stupid so whe it came time to say his line he said "i dont care" and the director stopped for a moment, then said that was great and they should film that again. Which they did. And this is that scene

[@halfassedhero500]

good call . "i don't care" was waaaaay better

[@mattsteitz8536]

Boy just did a Peter pan right off this dam!

[@MMZERO9]

It echoes the original tv series when Gerard says, “Whether the law is right or wrong is not my concern. Let others debate and conclude.”

[@rickyj1250]

There's nothing more dangerous in this world than people who blindly follow orders

[@rdfox76]

@@rickyj1250 Except that in this case, his job is to apprehend a fugitive and bring him before the court. That's it, that's *all* his job is. It's not his place to decide guilt or innocence, that's the job of a judge and twelve men and women sitting on the jury. Once he gets the fugitive in front of the judge so that the court can make its determination, *then* he can care whether the guy did it or not, but as long as he's still at large, Gerard's sole purpose is to apprehend him, guilty or innocent. Or would you say that his reaction should be, "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, nobody has ever said they were innocent of the crime they were charged with before, I'll now let you go free with the government's apologies for ever suspecting you, and please, go ahead and take my issue service pistol that you're currently threatening me with as a parting gift and partial compensation for your time and troubles, because having looked at you saying five words means I know better than the courts and can unilaterally overturn their verdict and forgive the various additional crimes you have committed and are, in fact, actively committing at this very moment"? Because if that's the case, then all anyone charged with a crime ever has to do is deny that they committed it and they're off scot-free...

[@JynxedKoma]

"I'm Indiana Jones, Han Solo and Rick Deckard!" *"I DON'T CARE!!!"*

[@mikhael7949]

"I didn't kill my wife!" "I don't care!" POW!!! "Ow.. you shot me!" (dying) "I don't care!"

[@hannesgreen638]

lol

[@mikeantell533]

Roll credits...

[@raspy32official47]

Oh, so Harrison Ford is saying I don't care the last time. I was thinking TLJ says it again as he's dying.

[@nathancruz9172]

🥶 soldier: I didn’t kill your father! Black 🐆: 🤷🏻‍♂️!

[@rachelamber4967]

Who else care here after watching Ahsoka from Star Wars: The Clone Wars?

[@RubenMakaya]

Universe Wonderland You read my fuckin mind 😂😂

[@nathancruz9172]

I care.

[@DoctorXander]

There's tons of references like that throughout Clone Wars. They did Seven Samurai and Apocalypse Now homages, that episode you referenced had a lot of Hitchcock references. The staff from Raiders of the Lost Ark made an appearance too

[@Giles4200]

Hahaha simpsons, Millhouse.

[@thewewguy8t88]

but i did'nt do anything!

[@PhoenixAngel429]

@@thewewguy8t88 I don't care

[@gueeds]

Brooklyn Nine-Nine brought me here

[@q8yMontages]

gueeds that's just sad

[@mezykin]

holy shit brooklyn nine-nine brought me here too! NINE-NINE!

[@williamstriumph9463]

I don't care.....

[@DeeNice681]

It was funniest when the Simpsons spoofed it!

[@stevekaye5120]

Same ;)

[@LechDharma]

the most memorable scene and line in the movie, for me.

[@vinceniederman]

This Movie is So Good Without Question!

[@Jsmooth2020]

One of the greatest lines in cinema history.

[@argonzeit]

I say this line all the time, yet no one ever gets it. Even my older brother who loves his movie never caught on.

[@nunyabizness9045]

I don't care

[@fannynoeliahuancabustillos6345]

Lol

[@novasite7795]

I remember this scene in the movie theater. Got a huge laugh!

[@DeadManSinging1]

Have you seen this movie? He later says "I said I didn't care because whether you are guilty or innocent I still need to take you in."

[@joemcguire9988]

His response is perfect for a lot of the reasons referenced in other comments here but also because that’s a cold thing to say to a guy who has a gun on you. Most people would try to tell the guy whatever he wanted to hear, but he’s not going to do that. He has a job and that’s the only thing that matters to him right now. Tommy Lee Jones is badass in this movie (and most movies) for that line alone.

[@TrueGamer181]

I love how TLJ's line was improvised.

[@vivekphilipvarghese]

+TrueGamer181 *TLJ

[@TrueGamer181]

Damnit! Thanks.

[@podsmpsg1]

The court has to figure out that one. Sam's job is just to bring him in and let the court handle it after that.

[@jordanherkowski5052]

Kimble had already been convicted and sentenced to death. The bus that crashed was taking Kimble to prison.

[@TheBandit025Nova]

Anakin’s reaction would be totally different

[@MikeMJPMUNCH]

The dialogue from both characters is brilliant perfectly sets up both of their relationship and motivation for the rest of the movie.

[@delrey874]

I watched this movie today for the first time in quite a while. Hollywood movies from the 90's are still the best.

[@NyxMoonTV]

0:22 The fact that Harrison is able to keep the gun aiming at him in the same position as Han Solo is just absolutely incredible.

[@earformusic]

According to producer Roy Huggins, Gerard's line in response to Richard Kimble's claim of innocence ("I didn't kill my wife") was originally read in the script as, "That isn't my problem." But at the request of Tommy Lee Jones, it was changed to, "I don't care." (And he shouldn't care... Afterall, Dr. Richard Kimble (Ford) had escaped from custody and it was the responsibility of Deputy Samuel Gerard (Jones) and his team of U.S. Marshals to pursue Ford until caught and in custody again.

[@tobleronetube3686]

0:35 Harrison trying not to laugh lol

[@ZoSo_x]

What makes this even more epic was that TLJ improvised that line

[@borizovskimilan]

This scene is improvised.

[@Gyrbae]

This comment is written.

[@RepublicOfUs]

It is not; the line was.

[@saimcheeda93]

Legendary!

[@saimcheeda93]

I still feel the same way

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

This scene gets better as the years go on.

[@georgeyoung7523]

This is a GREAT example of good writing. In two sentences you know exactly BOTH Characters. No belated 5 page dribble.

[@icjd80]

Gotta use that line next time a cop asks "do you know why I pulled you over?"

[@herluka]

One of my top favourite scenes in the history of cinema... 😂 The pain of a widower meets an insouciant policeman x

[@spongebitchbobface]

What an excellent way to momentarily break away the tension with comedic relief.

[@nicktroisi6347]

0:32 when someone tries to tell me their life story

[@MuttonfudgeRacing]

"I dont care" That's me having a bad day at work...so almost everyday.

[@Stilgarsan]

Gerard actually has a point. As a member of law enforcement, it isn't his job to decide if Kimble is innocent or guilty. It is his job to put him in front of a judge and a jury, who will then decide.

[@kallemick]

Sam Gerard is me whenever someone is asking my opinion on anything political in the world

[@palmerlp]

I love the way Kimble kind of smiles at that response.

[@abcd34937]

I remember this movie from when I was little, and this was the best part.

[@JustAGuyProduction]

Milhouse: "Ow, my glasses!"

[@CrazyFreak714]

Like most cops would say.....

[@nathancruz9172]

Mr Snrub 0:32 I don’t care! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rdfox76]

It's not his job to care. It's just his job to bring the man on the run in to face trial.

[@Ben82077]

Tony Stark: You killed my parents. Bucky:...I don’t care!

[@vinceniederman3235]

I Love This Scene Big Time One of My Favorite Lines in The Fugitive!

[@FuzzyBunnyinAtaroad]

SeaNanners and GassyMexican

[@ThePrinceSterling]

Typical Lawful Neutral response 0:30.

[@tazaycharla3426]

Lawful Neutral personified

[@derworfnet]

„My Glasses!“

[@Anonimo2800]

So Community got it inverted.

[@jonstefanik9400]

I don't care!

[@CJODell12]

The Fugitive: What a great movie. One of my Top 5 favorite movies of 1993.

[@CJODell12]

***** Mostly every year since I was born (1992). It's a new thing I've been doing. My top 5 for 1993 goes like this: 1. Schindler's List 2. The Piano 3. The Fugitive 4. In the Name of the Father 5. Gettysburg

[@JaysCyYoung1]

MY GLASSES!

[@joeywildman1100]

I got this feeling on the summer day when you were gone I crashed my car into the bridge, I watched, I let it burn I threw your shit into a bag and pushed it down the stairs I crashed my car into the bridge 0:32 I love it

[@f6subaccount]

Fugitive in 5 seconds: - I didn't kill my wife - I don't care

[@renerousseau7581]

0:32 When you've finally had enough arguing with bae over where to order takeout from and you just like...

[@kurttank1514]

Press 8 to find out how much I care!

[@mopbrothers]

"I don't care!" This is one of the most soul crushing lines in any movie ever. It is extremely sad. I wish human society wasn't this way. It is something I hate most about being a human.

[@theryanbard]

Always makes me laugh.

[@theryanbard]

But I didn't kill my wife!

[@inoch07]

Why isn't this a meme format?

[@1222242]

Most efficient way to win an Oscar

[@bendover2649]

I've read that this scene was originally a lengthy three-page exchange, that was later whittled down to the fundamental point both sides were trying to make.

[@EchoBoomer1987]

And not a single fuck was given that day.

[@Jaycee1593]

Gassy, Danz & Diction brought me here loool

[@mangarrian]

Man how I miss the 90s...

[@haydenfowle7576]

Clone Wars season 5 brought me here

[@TheGroumpfy]

Harrison Ford was like "WTF dude?"

[@TheJim9191]

The definition of Lawful Neutral

[@hero.ambition]

You find this man, YOU FIND THIS MAN.

[@d.o.a7552]

Harrison Ford in his han solo pose

[@jackcameron1661]

It's not his job to care. It's his job to catch him

[@ultra6671]

"I didn't kill my wife!" -The man currently pointing a gun at someone.

[@user-xt3js8yh1b]

Tommy lee jones was the perfect choice for the role...

[@chaihill1837]

I was looking for the Community version.

[@vashman01]

Harrison Ford when asked about who shot first:

[@blanemylke4144]

Face Off between Indy and Two-Face.

[@ridergilwin1494]

I can never watch this without laughing. Tommy Lee Jones changed the line, I know, and his delivery is so humorous.

[@emperordalek102]

And a meme is born