History Main / AttackAttackRetreatRetreat

-->"We outnumber them! Charge! Charge! Hey, where'd you guys go? Retreat! Retreat!"

--->"Take the bridge, men! Victory! Victory is ou-- Retreat! RETREAT!"

-->'''Iago:''' ''(in a birdcage)'' Open the cage! Open it! Open it! Open it!\\

-->'''Buzz:''' Sheriff, this is no time to panic.\\

** ''Toy Story 3'': "This is no time to be hysterical." "It's the perfect time to be hysterical!" "Should we be ''Hysterical?!''" "Yes!" "No!" "Maybe! But not right now."

* ''[[ThreeHundred 300]]'': "Those in back cried "Forward!", those in front cried "Back!" The guy in front screaming "Back!" gets brutally stabbed just after saying it.
* ''[[StarWars Star Wars IV: A New Hope]]''.

* ''IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom'' has another all-screaming version with the title character chasing one of the bad guys armed with nothing but a sword... until the bad guys friends show up (similar to the above ''Star Wars'' example) causing a hasty retreat. Also in ''Temple of Doom'', a subversion occurs; Indy stops the runaway mine-cart by pressing his foot against the wheel, causing his shoe to catch on fire. He hops around while Whillie tries to kick dirt at it, shouting, "Water, water! Water!" A few seconds later, the deluge unleashed by Mola Ram comes flooding through the entire tunnel, destroying everything in its path. "''water! ''waaater!''"'' While it's the same word, Indy is extremely panic-stricken and clearly doesn't want it anymore.
* ''MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail''

** Also brilliantly done when the group confronts a KillerRabbit.

* ''ChittyChittyBangBang'' - The calvary rides out through the city gates, followed by one lone foot soldier screaming "Charge!" -- cue the gates being closed -- "Let me in!"

* The American ''{{Godzilla}}'' film. The IntrepidReporter's cameraman runs down a hallway and encounters several baby Zillas.
-->'''Cameraman:''' This way! This way!\\
''(baby Zilla [[RoarBeforeBeating roars]]; Cameraman returns)''\\
'''Cameraman:''' Not this way! Back that way!
* ''[[MadMax Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome]]'' - The set-piece of chasing an enemy untill all his mates turn up seen in ''IndianaJones'' was repeated in this film.

[[folder:Stand-up Comedy]]

-->'''Dellyn:''' Close the west gate! close the west gate!

-->'''Bugs Bunny''': How's the water, Doc?
-->'''Yosemite Sam:''' Open that bridge, varmint! Open it, I say!\\

'''Yosemite Sam:''' (muffled under it) Close it! Close it! Close it up again!

-->'''Yosemite Sam:''' Chaaaaaaaarge!
-->''(Sam charges into the hole, then discovers it's actually the inside of a cannon)''
-->'''Yosemite Sam:''' Retreeeeeeat!

* In the Darkwing Duck episode ''Just Us Justice Ducks Pt.2'':
-->Pedestrians:(running towards a squad car) Help, Police!
-->(Quackerjack's chattering teeth emerge, wearing patrol hats)
-->Pedestrians: (running in opposite direction) HELP! POLICE!!!!

''(Heroes escape as the blast doors [[SlowDoors slowly camp shut]])''\\

->'''Stormtrooper:''' Close the blast doors! Close the blast doors!\\
''(the heroes dive through the closing blast doors)''\\

-->'''Yosemite Sam:''' Open this bridge, rabbit! Open it!\\

'''Yosemite Sam:''' Close it! Close it!

** ''Toy Story 3'': "This is no time to be hysterical." "It's the perfect time to be hysterical!" "Should we be ''Hysterial?!''" "Yes!" "No!" "Maybe! But not right now."

For example: "CHAAAAAAARGE!" ''([[IndyEscape giant rolling boulder appears]])'' "RETREEEEAAAAT!"

See also VerbalBackspace, OnSecondThought, BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor. Compare PunchPunchPunchUhOh. Contrast AttackAttackAttack.

* ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'': "Abu! {{This is no time to panic}}! ... Start panicking!"
* And in the sequel, ''Return of Jafar'':

** ''ToyStory'':

** ''[[ToyStory Toy Story 3]]'': "This is no time to be hysterical." "It's the perfect time to be hysterical!" "Should we be ''Hysterial?!''" "Yes!" "No!" "Maybe! But not right now."

* 300: "Those in back cried "FORWARD!", those in front cried "BACK!"
** Made even better because the guy in front screaming "BACK!" gets brutally stabbed just after saying it.
*** Made even better in the YouTube video that makes the guy being stabbled seem like he's [[SoundEffectBleep cursing]] instead.

* ''{{Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom}}'' has another all-screaming version with the title character chasing one of the bad guys armed with nothing but a sword... until the bad guys friends show up (similar to the above ''Star Wars'' example) causing a hasty retreat. Also in ''Temple of Doom'', a subversion occurs; Indy stops the runaway mine-cart by pressing his foot against the wheel, causing his shoe to catch on fire. He hops around while Whillie tries to kick dirt at it, shouting, "Water, water! Water!" A few seconds later, the deluge unleashed by Mola Ram comes flooding through the entire tunnel, destroying everything in its path. "''water! ''waaater!''"'' While it's the same word, Indy is extremely panic-stricken and clearly doesn't want it anymore.
* ''{{Monty Python and the Holy Grail}}'', where the hero's BattleCry quickly breaks down into a rather disorderly call for retreat -- "Run Awaaay!" -- when the French counterattack by launching farm animals at the attackers.
** Also brilliantly done when the group confronts a killer rabbit.

** This was a blown take used in the trailer. The actual line ("Time to go") achieves the same effect, but is more subdued.
*** Not more subdued. It's an OhCrap moment.
* ChittyChittyBangBang - The calvary rides out through the city gates, followed by one lone foot soldier screaming "CHARGE!" . . . que the gates being closed . . . "LET ME IN!"

* The first ''IndianaJones'' example was repeated by ''MadMax Beyond Thunderdome''.

* In Halo Wars, the ally usually attacks with just one unit, and when greeted with one bullet, immediately runs in the opposite direction.

* [[http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/21.html This strip]] of ''IrregularWebcomic!''

-->'''Dellyn:''' GET OVER THERE AND KILL ANYTHING THAT ISN'T HUMAN!

-->'''Dellyn:''' CLOSE THE WEST GATE! CLOSE THE WEST GATE!

* A close variant in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/31/ strip #31]] of [[Webcomic/{{ptitle6n0n2muo}} Rusty and Co.]]:

* A close variant in [[http://rustyandco.com/comic/31/ strip #31]] of ''Rusty and Co.'':

For example: "Charge, charge!" ''([[IndyEscape giant rolling boulder appears]])'' "Retreat, retreat!"

See also VerbalBackspace, OnSecondThought. Compare PunchPunchPunchUhOh. Contrast AttackAttackAttack.

''(bridge lands directly on top of Sam)''\\

The standard formula goes like this: repetition of a word or phrase -- alarming change in circumstance -- repetition of an inversion of the first. (In some cases, this can be a straight reiteration of the first statement, given a humorous context by the new circumstances.)

* ''[[WallaceAndGromit Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit]]''. On hearing that their vegetables will be used as bait to attract the Were-Rabbit, Mrs. Mulch flees with her cabbage, whilst the townsfolk yell at her "Come back! Come back!". The Were-Rabbit then approaches, prompting her to about turn. The villagers then realise what is happening and start yelling "Go away! Go away!"

-->'''Buzz:''' Sherrif, this is no time to panic.\\

* ''{{Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom}}'' has another all-screaming version with the title character chasing one of the bad guys armed with nothing but a sword... until the bad guys friends show up (similar to the above ''Star Wars'' example) causing a hasty retreat. Also in ''Temple of Doom'', a subversion occurs; Indy stops the runaway mine-cart by pressing his foot against the wheel, causing his shoe to catch on fire. He hops around while Whillie tries to kick dirt at it, shouting, "Water, water! Water!" A few seconds later, the deluge unleashed by Mola Ram comes flooding through the entire tunnel, destroying everything in its path. "''water! ''waaater!''"'' While it's the same word, Indy is extremly panic-striken and clearly doesn't want it anymore.

The standard formula goes like this: repetition of a word or phrase -- alarming change in circumstance -- repetition of an inversion of the first.

'''Haley:''' Back into the darkness!!

-->'''Dellyn:''' Get over there and kill anything that isn't human!

-->'''Dellyn:''' Close the west gate! Close the west gate!

* In the first episode of ''{{Kickassia}}'', [[ThatGuyWithTheGlasses Team TGWTG]]'s frenzied charge on the nation of Molossia is cut short when the President pulls a machinegun on them.

->''(the heroes are escaping to a set of blast doors)''\\
'''Stormtrooper:''' Close the blast doors! Close the blast doors!\\

* ''[[MagicTheGathering Magic: The Gathering]]'' gives us a few of these. Check out the flavor text for [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=24580 Withdraw]]:

** And [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=97207 Killer Instinct]]:

* ''ToyStory''

** ''[[ToyStory Toy Story 3]]'': "This is no time to be hysterical." "It's the perfect time to be hysterical!" "Should we be HYSTERICAL!?!?!" "Yes!" "No!" "MAYBE! But not right now."

* ''[[StarWars Star Wars IV: A New Hope]]''. The heroes are being pursued through the Death Star: "Close the blast doors! Close the blast doors!" ''Doors close immediately after the heroes dive through.'' "Open the blast doors! Open the blast doors!"
** Also, the all-screaming version earlier: Han, Luke and company turn a corner and run directly into about half a dozen stormtroopers. Han shoots one and the rest flee in a panic. Han chases them accompanied only by Chewie, (who falls behind him) until suddenly he catches up to them... [[strike:as they've hit a dead end and are forced to turn around]] and a whole other huge contingent of stormtroopers ([[SarcasmMode thanks, Special Edition]]). Han is all by himself. OhCrap. Cue Han's headlong retreat.
* ''{{Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom}}'' has another all-screaming version with the title character chasing one of the bad guys armed with nothing but a sword... until the bad guys friends show up (similar to the above ''Star Wars'' example) causing a hasty retreat. Also in ''Temple of Doom'', a subversion occurs; Indy stops the runaway mine-cart by pressing his foot against the wheel, causing his shoe to catch on fire. He hops around while Whillie tries to kick dirt at it, shouting, "Water, water! Water!" A few seconds later, the deluge unleashed by Mola Ram comes flooding through the entire tunnel, destroying everything in its path. "'''WATER! ''WAAAATER!''"''' While it's the same word, Indy is extremly panic-striken and clearly doesn't want it anymore.

* In a rare scene from ''{{Labyrinth}}'' '''not''' featuring "The Area", when they are fighting their way through the Goblin City: "Chaaaaaaaaarge!... Ruuuuuuuuun!"
* ''{{Ghostbusters}}''. "GET HER!!!"

* ''[[JakAndDaxter Jak II]]'': Daxter inadvertently activates a handful of bombs, with Vin trying to keep him and Jak calm. Vin: "Don't move! [Beat] On second thought, move! Far away!"

'''Haley:''' BACK INTO THE DARKNESS!!

-->'''Dellyn:''' GET OVER THERE AND KILL ANYTHING THAT ISN'T HUMAN!

-->'''Dellyn:''' CLOSE THE WEST GATE! CLOSE THE WEST GATE!

See also VerbalBackspace, OnSecondThought. Contrast AttackAttackAttack.

Someone shouts an order or entreaty, but suddenly is forced to change their stance and start chanting the opposite. A ComedyTrope.

Someone shouts an order or entreaty, but is suddenly is forced to change their stance and start chanting the opposite. A ComedyTrope.

* In [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0181.html strip #181]] of ''{{The Order of the Stick}}'', the adventuring party is walking through a slightly damp corridor before stumbling upon an area of magical darkness. When Haley finally find the edge of the darkness, she calls for her comrades to join her... before realizing she's nose-to-snout with a black dragon.

** Also, the all-screaming version earlier: Han, Luke and company turn a corner and run directly into about half a dozen stormtroopers. Han shoots one and the rest flee in a panic. Han chases them accompanied only by Chewie, (who falls behind him) until suddenly he catches up to them... and a whole other huge contingent of stormtroopers, and Han is all by himself. OhCrap. Cue Han's headlong retreat.

* ''{{Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom}}'' has another all-screaming version with the title character chasing one of the bad guys armed with nothing but a sword...until the bad guys friends show up (similar to the above Star Wars example) causing a hasty retreat. Also in ''Temple of Doom,'' a subversion occurs; Indy stops the runaway mine-cart by pressing his foot against the wheel, causing his shoe to catch on fire. He hops around while Whillie tries to kick dirt at it, shouting, "Water, water! Water!" A few seconds later, the deluge unleashed by Mola Ram comes flooding through the entire tunnel, destroying everything in its path. "'''WATER! ''WAAAATER!''"''' While it's the same word, Indy is extremly panic-striken and clearly doesn't want it anymore.

--->'''Cameraman''': This way! This way!
--->''Baby Zilla [[RoarBeforeBeating roars]]. Cameraman returns.''
--->'''Cameraman''': Not this way! Back that way!

[[folder:Real Life]]
* This troper went wit a few docens of peoble to a Mall to see a film which was more than two hours long. When the film -and credits- ended, the whole troop of wans run to the restroom -Two hours of an interesting film, and drinking soft drinks...- There was a restroom in the upper floor, and the fans were running up the stairs, shouting "Go up! Go UUUUUUP!" but when we reached the restroom, it was closed due cleaner. So the very same people started to shout "Go down! GO DOOOOOOWN!"
[[/folder]]