37 years later, we still use this legendary Chuck Norris line when we’re really angry

This is March 2, 1988. Chuck Norris, 48, returns to the cinema in an action film that will forever mark the uninhibited sleuthing fans: Lost 3! After two episodes in 1984 and 1985, the actor is back angrier than ever to take down the bad guys with all his might!

What we didn’t know yet was that this work would go down in history as one of the most intense works of action cinema! But before you indulge in the testosterone-inducing quote, a little context is in order.

A hero full of test

The saga follows James Braddock, an American special forces colonel. His mission is to find and rescue a group of men missing in Vietnam. A specialist in martial arts, weapons and explosives, Braddock is a sort of testosterone-enhanced Rambo and Dirty Harry.

With him, no mission is too difficult as he completes the battle. In the first part, he had to free several American prisoners from the cruel General Tau. After settling the score with this war criminal, the saga returns to its beginnings in the second episode, which is a prequel.

History takes us to Vietnam in 1972. Colonel James Braddock’s unit is held captive in a jungle concentration camp. For many weeks, the survivors suffer physical and mental torture. Braddock eventually manages to escape and take his revenge on Colonel Yin, the disgraced soldier in charge of the camp.

An action-packed sequel

As for the third opus, which interests us, it is therefore a direct continuation of the first part. This time Colonel James Braddock really has guts! It is 1987, 12 years after the end of the Vietnam War. Thanks to Reverend Polanski, the hero learns that his wife is still alive!

This is a shock for Braddock! He thought the latter had died in 1975 during the fall of Saigon. But this is not the only surprising thing that the soldier learned! Not only is his wife alive, but she gave birth to a son, Wan Tan Kang, shortly after the war ended.

Neither one nor two, Braddock decides to return to Vietnam to find them. But things don’t go as planned and the little family is captured by the ruthless General Kwok with unspeakable cruelty! However, the iconic line we’re interested in takes place before his departure for Vietnam, about twenty minutes into the film.

After learning from Reverend Polanski that his wife is alive, Braddock goes to CIA headquarters to meet with corrupt boss Littlejohn. The latter is played by actor Jack Rader and dubbed in French by Pierre Hettet, the actor who voiced the Doctor in Back to the Future.

A punchline that went down in history

“It’s been a while hasn’t it, Colonel Braddock? How are you?”asks him. – You know very well what I am like, Littlejohn. so what do you wantA rather irritated Chuck Norris, brilliantly voiced by the late Bernard Tiffin, then answers.

Littlejohn then mentions Reverend Polanski and his revelations about Braddock’s wife. The colonel finds it hard to believe this story and the boss agrees with him, which raises doubts about the hero. “But of course it’s crazy.”argues Littlejohn. The two men look at each other, and Braddock finally realizes the truth when he sees his partner embarrassed.

“You made a big mistake, I didn’t believe you until now, what are you going to do for them?”Colonel asks. “Nothing at all!”– answers Littlejohn. “If I don’t get them out, they’re going to die.”Braddock replies. “You have people dying every day.”Cynically exposes the boss.

Braddock, exasperated, turns on his heel to leave. Littlejohn gets up from his chair and shouts: “Braddock! I warn you! Be careful where you step!” This threatened punishment strikes the colonel’s spirit of vengeance, which abruptly halts his march. He turns around and delivers some of the most intense lines in action movie history.

I put my feet where I want, Littlejohn, and it’s often in my face!

“I put my foot where I want, Littlejohn, and it’s often in my face!” BIM! Littlejohn is KO’d and collapses, disappointed, in his chair. Braddock then leaves the building, determined to go to Vietnam to save his wife and children and bring justice into his hands.

Note that in the original version, the punchline is also influential, but it cannot be translated; So it was brilliantly adapted into French. For the purists here is the original version: “I don’t step on toes, Littlejohn, I step on necks!” (“I warn you! Don’t step on your toes. – I’m not stepping on your toes, Littlejohn, I’m stepping on your neck!”).