Tropa de Elite
"On the streets of Rio only the elite survive"
Elite Squad - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Na verdade, o sistema entrega pra sociedade um policial despreparado, mal pago, e corrupto. E o sistema que fode o cara.
— Captain Nascimento (Narration)
Context:
This line is from Nascimento's opening narration, setting the stage for the film's critique of the Rio de Janeiro police force and the entire public security apparatus.
Meaning:
English: "In reality, the system gives society an unprepared, underpaid, and corrupt cop. And it's the system that screws the guy." This quote encapsulates the film's core thesis: that the problem is not individual 'bad apples' but a systemic failure in how police are managed, paid, and trained, which inevitably leads to corruption and violence.
Pede pra sair!
— Captain Nascimento
Context:
This is shouted frequently during the grueling and humiliating BOPE selection course, aimed at weeding out candidates who lack the extreme physical and mental fortitude required by the unit.
Meaning:
English: "Ask to leave!" This is a taunt Nascimento repeatedly yells at recruits during the brutal BOPE training. It's a psychological tactic to break them down, forcing them to quit. The phrase became a massive cultural catchphrase in Brazil, symbolizing a situation of extreme pressure where giving up is the only easy option.
Nunca serão!
— BOPE Officers
Context:
This is chanted by BOPE instructors and officers during training exercises and in their interactions with other police, establishing their elite and separate identity.
Meaning:
English: "They will never be!" or "They'll never make it!" This is a chant used by BOPE officers, often in response to trainees or regular police. It's a statement of superiority and exclusivity, reinforcing the idea that BOPE members are a breed apart and that others can never attain their elite status. It highlights the unit's arrogance and isolation from the rest of the force.