Line #47 Main/DemandingTheirHead


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7	->''"I will pay one million dollars. Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia!"''
8	-->-- '''El Jefe''', ''Film/BringMeTheHeadOfAlfredoGarcia''
9
10	A literal, hyperbolic approach to "[[PriceOnTheirHead putting a price on one's head]]."
11
12	Somewhere, somehow... ''somebody'' crossed the wrong person or group in a position of nefarious power, and now they're gonna have to pay dearly for their insolence. However, this isn't just a simple matter of putting the word out to some HiredGuns to off someone. TheDon, EvilOverlord, or whoever is also specifically demanding ''that person's head'' be brought to him personally, preferably served cold on a silver plate.
13
14	Character motivations for making a demand like this usually vary between hoping to [[BringingBackProof receive hard evidence]] that a person of interest is truly deceased or wanting to [[MakeAnExampleOfThem set an extreme example]] to others who would dare cross them. However, in rare instances, particularly in works of Science Fiction and Fantasy, it can be possible for someone's head to be valued as ''more'' than just a trophy or proof of death and may serve an even greater desirable purpose, such as it being a vessel containing important digital information or possessing some kind of fantastic, magical property.
15
16	In some circumstances of a narrative or subplot, this can often be the setup for a MacGuffin--perhaps even functioning as a play on LivingMacGuffin (while a character's head is still attached to his/her warm body, anyway). In VideoGames, this is occasionally the basis for a certain type of FetchQuest to kill a specific enemy or monster and [[TwentyBearAsses return to the quest-giver with their head]].
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18	In the event that someone's head is successfully collected, expect some form of DecapitationPresentation to follow.
19
20	The concept's origins can be traced back to Greek Mythology and Perseus's quest to claim the head of Medusa as well as the Christian Gospels and the story of The Beheading of John The Baptist.
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22	This trope is specifically denoting instances of people ordering others to return severed heads, usually as bounties, and is '''NOT''' to be confused with characters who may kill and take "souvenirs" from their victims for their own sadistic pleasure (i.e. headhunters and human scalpers).
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24	Frequently an [[InvokedTrope Invocation]] of OffWithHisHead
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26	BringingBackProof is the SuperTrope for returning other evidence of death, such as fingers, ears, pelts, or prized possessions.
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28	Compare: FingerInTheMail, if the head is, instead, returned to next of kin or law enforcement to convey one's gory fate.
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30	See Also: HumanHeadOnTheWall; CreepySouvenir, if they keep it.
31	----
32	!! Examples:
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34	[[foldercontrol]]
35	[[folder: Comic Books]]
36	* In ''ComicBook/TheDarkKnightReturns'', the leader of the Mutants demands to be brought the head of Commissioner Gordon. He wants to "carry it through the streets" like a trophy.
37	* ''ComicBook/EnemyOfTheEmpire'': Darth Vader hires Boba Fett to retrieve a box (naturally keeping the true nature of its contents secret) that is later revealed to contain the still-living decapitated head of an alien prophetess who can predict the future, but in the end, Boba Fett decides to destroy it, rather than be forced to turn her over to Emperor Palpatine.
38	* ''ComicBook/MarvelStarWars2015'': A flashback shows Grand Moff Tarkin ordering his protege Commander Zahra to bring him the head of a rebel leader. To her surprise, he's disappointed when she reports she successfully killed the target, as he [[NotHyperbole literally wanted her to bring him the man's actual head]] as proof of death.
39	* In ''ComicBook/SinCity: The Big Fat Kill'', after someone informs the mafia of Jackie Boy's death in Old Town, news of which can break Old Town's shaky truce with the police, they send Irish mercenaries who attack Dwight (while he's disposing the evidence) and take Jackie's severed head as proof of his murder. Dwight and Miho later recover Jackie's head from the mercenaries before the mob can get it and use the head to broker a trade for Gail's life. [[spoiler: After Dwight hands the head over to the gangsters and takes Gail, he triggers a grenade taped inside Jack's mouth, killing a few of the gangsters and destroying the remaining incriminating evidence, and acting as the signal for all of the girls of Old Town to descend on the alley the gangsters are all in and ''unleash hell''.]]
40	* The cover of ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMarvel'' issue #113 (a UK original) features Rodimus Prime demanding Galvatron's head.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder: Comic Strips]]
44	* ''ComicStrip/{{Dilbert}}'': In a 1991 strip, Dilbert is trying to schedule a meeting with his boss, but the boss' secretary says she won't put him on the calendar until he brings her the head of Willy the Mailboy; one compilations takes its name from that line of dialogue.
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47	[[folder: Film - Animated]]
48	* At the start of ''WesternAnimation/PussInBootsTheLastWish'', the corrupt governor of Del Mar crashes the party Puss is throwing in his own mansion with his men and orders them to "Bring me the head of Puss in Boots!" (a ShoutOut to ''Film/BringMeTheHeadOfAlfredoGarcia'' below).
49	[[/folder]]
50
51	[[folder: Film - Live Action]]
52	* The BlackComedy ''Film/EightHeadsInADuffelBag''. Creator/JoePesci works for TheMafia and has been ordered by his superior to bring back the heads of eight decapitated victims as proof of their deaths.
53	* {{Invoked\|Trope}} by Lex Luthor in ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice''. After revealing to Superman that he had kidnapped Martha Kent in a scheme to force Superman into compromising his values and killing Batman, Lex gives Superman the ultimatum, "To save Martha, bring me the head of the Bat." [[spoiler: Of course, things do not go according to Lex's plans.]]
54	* The aptly titled ''Film/BringMeTheHeadOfAlfredoGarcia''. A powerful Mexican crime lord, El Jefe, offers a $1 million bounty to whomever [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin brings him the head of Alfredo Garcia]].
55	* The grindhouse {{Homage}} movie ''Film/BringMeTheHeadOfTheMachineGunWoman''. A powerful Chilean gangster does everything he can to stop a mercenary who wants to kill him by offering an army of hitmen--and, by accident, a naive DJ--a staggering sum of cash for her head.
56	* In ''Film/EscapeFromLA'', after Map to the Stars Eddie emerges from a sewer, following a cave-in, and claims to have killed Snake Plissken, a skeptical Cuervo Jones demands that Eddie bring him Plissken's head as proof.
57	* In ''Film/TheHobbitAnUnexpectedJourney'', Azog the Defiler ([[SparedByTheAdaptation who survived the Battle of Azanulbizar that killed him in the book]]) has put a price on the heads of the entire company of Thorin Oakenshield--but [[ItsPersonal especially with Thorin himself]], who [[AnArmAndALeg cut off Azog's left arm]] in the Battle. In addition to the Goblins of Goblintown trying to collect it, Azog happily sends one of his own Orcs to bring him Thorin's head [[CombatPragmatist after he's already worn Thorin down with his mace and his Warg]]. The Great Goblin himself lampshades it when confronting Thorin and [[VillainRevealsTheSecret revealing Azog's still alive to him]].
58	-->'''Great Goblin:''' I know someone who would pay a pretty price for your head. (''EvilLaugh'') [[EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor Just a head. Nothing attached]].
59	* In ''Film/JohnnyMnemonic'', the main character is a {{Courier}} who traffics digital information via an implant in his brain. When he takes up a job that interferes with a MegaCorp's interests, they task the {{Yakuza}} and a HolyHitman with bringing them his severed head in a cryogenically preserved container.
60	* In ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves,'' Guy of Gisborne promises his men "A crown to the man who brings me Locksley's head!"
61	* ''Film/Salome1953'': In this version of the Beheading of John the Baptist, Salome is depicted as a virtuous princess who doesn't want John the Baptist killed. On the contrary, she intends to use the reward from her dance to make Herod set him free. Herodias instead cleverly takes advantage of the situation to have John executed before the dance ends, and Salome is horrified when the head is brought to the throne room.
62	* In ''Film/SamuraiCop'', Fujiyama, the leader of the Japanese gang, orders to have one of his own men, who was a badly burned and hospitalized following a police chase, be executed and have his head displayed on a piano to remind all remaining gang members of their code of silence. His chief enforcer, Yamashita, obeys the order.
63	-->'''Fujiyama:''' I want him dead! I want his head cut off and brought here! I want his head on this piano so that every man in my organization understands, once more, that no Katana gets captured alive or talks! Got that?
64	-->'''Yamashita:''' I will bring you his head, and I will place it on your piano.
65	* ''Film/War2007'' (aka ''Rogue Assassin''). [[DaddysLittleVillain Kira Yonagawa]] orders Rogue to kill Triad boss Chang ''and'' his wife and daughter, so she can present their heads to her father. Rogue does kill Chang but [[EvenEvilHasStandards helps his family escape]], and at the end of the movie they receive a metal case containing a valuable statuette, and a note telling them to "make a new life" for themselves. Kira gets the same note and metal case...containing the [[HeadInABox head of her father]].
66	* {{Invoked}} and PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/Wishmaster2EvilNeverDies''. A mob boss [[ExactWords wishes for his enemy's head]], and [[spoiler: [[JackassGenie the evil Djinn]] transforms the mob boss's own head and facial features into his enemy's exact likeness]].
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69	[[folder: Literature]]
70	* ''Literature/TheBelgariad'': In ''The Seeress of Kell,'' when Queen Salmissra's then-Chief Eunuch Adiss informs her of a problem with a minor government official called [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep The Satrap]], Salmissra dismisses it as a completely unimportant matter and tells Adiss to solve the problem by hiring an assassin to cut off The Satrap's head. When Adiss protests, she repeats her order and also tells him to bring her the head afterward as proof of his obedience.
71	* ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfAmber'': In ''Nine Princes in Amber'', Corwin negotiates with the appropriately named Caine, one of his brothers, asking him to stand aside as Corwin and Bleys move their army to take Amber. Caine is willing to do so, but asks for the head of another brother in turn. The extent to which Caine is series and the extent to which he is playing a role are never quite clear.
72	* The dying leader of SPECTRE in the Literature/JamesBond novel ''Literature/NobodyLivesForEver'' organizes a literal headhunt for Bond, as the person who manages to kill him is required to bring his head to the leader on a silver charger to claim his prize of ten million Swiss francs.
73	* In ''Literature/TheExecutioner'', this occurs several times during Mack Bolan's war against TheMafia, as whenever a mob boss demands Bolan's head, it's usually meant to be taken literally:
74	** Ironically in "Tennessee Smash", Bolan is posing as a mob assassin and has to deliver a head himself because it's expected of him. The boss then kicks it into his swimming pool.
75	** In "Paradine's Gauntlet", a terrorist wanting revenge for a previous encounter demands that Bolan be the courier for a ransom exchange. "This is non-negotiable. If he is unavailable, evidence of death must be presented with the payment. His head will be acceptable." This ends up being Paradine's downfall; he shoots Bolan and then puts aside his rifle for a knife, intending to collect Bolan's head. However Bolan is NotQuiteDead, and Paradine discovers you should NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight.
76	* In ''Quiller's Run'', Literature/{{Quiller}} is played a wiretap recording of the villainess demanding his head. TheHandler tries to make light of it. "Once you're dead, you won't care where the thing is." It's not an idle threat, as a previous agent had [[FingerInTheMail his head delivered to his embassy]]. After Quiller bests a hitman who [[RazorFloss nearly takes his head off with a garrote]], he's told there was a head-sized box with a plastic bag found inside the hitman's car.
77	* In ''[[Creator/MatthewReilly Scarecrow]]'', the proof demanded of Majestic-12 for the deaths of targets in their worldwide bounty hunt is to bring their heads to a certain castle for further verification. There, it can be confirmed that the heads are the heads of the actual targets and not random heads done up to look like the targets for an easy bounty. Two hunters use a combination of plastic surgery and burning in an attempt to fool the system, only to be killed when the [[IdentificationByDentalRecords dental records]] don't match.
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80	[[folder: Live-Action Television]]
81	* The story of the Beheading of John the Baptist is depicted in the miniseries ''Series/JesusOfNazareth''. Salome dances, King Herod promises her whatever she wants, she requests the head of John the Baptist, Herod obeys and executes John the Baptist.
82	* A big part of Hanover's StoryArc throughout the first season of ''Series/{{Ratched}}''. Lenore Osgood hires Charles Wainwright to kill Hanover and bring her his head for mutilating her son, Henry. Nurse Ratched initially offers to help Hanover hide, [[spoiler: but she later makes a deal with Osgood to have Hanover killed, and once that's done she collects his head to give to Osgood herself]].
83	* {{Discussed\|Trope}} in the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS04E22ForTheCause "For the Cause"]]. In a side plot, The exiled Cardassian spy-turned-tailor Elim Garak, who was responsible for the torture and death of [[Characters/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineGulDukat Gul Dukat]]'s father years ago, is befriended by Dukat's daughter, Tora Ziyal. Consequently, Garak fears that Ziyal has been instructed by her father to kill him, believing that she's going to present his severed head to Dukat as a birthday gift. Ultimately, however, Ziyal convinces Garak that she is sincerely interested in being his friend, as the only other Cardassian on Deep Space Nine.
84	[[/folder]]
85
86	[[folder: Music]]
87	* The narrator of the song "Bring Me His Head" by the band Lucifer puts out bounties on the heads of men who wronged her. ("Bring me his head/Whatever the cost may be.")
88	* Music/DavidBowie's song "Bring Me the Disco King" has Bowie asking for the head of the Disco King, dead or alive.
89	[[/folder]]
90
91	[[folder: Mythology & Folklore]]
92	* In [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Greek Mythology]], King Polydectes ordered Perseus to bring him the head of {{Medusa}} as a wedding present to [[ARealManIsAKiller prove his manhood]]. That said, Polydectes tasked Perseus with doing this [[UriahGambit hoping it would get him killed]] and thereby enable Polydectes to [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe marry Perseus' mother Danae]], whom [[ExtremelyProtectiveChild Perseus had been defending from Polydectes repeatedly]]. Sadly for Polydectes, [[GoneHorriblyRight Perseus successfully killed Medusa]], and once he heard what the king was planning for his mother, he returned home and presented the king with his gift, whereupon Polydectes was TakenForGranite.
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95	[[folder: Religion]]
96	* In Christianity, the story of The Beheading of John the Baptist from [[Literature/TheFourGospels The Gospels]]: On King Herod's birthday, when Salome's dancing pleased Herod so much that he promised to give her anything she desired, she asks for the head of John the Baptist on a platter, at the behest of her mother, Herodias. Although Herod was appalled by the request, he reluctantly agreed and had John executed by beheading in the prison.
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99	[[folder: Tabletop Games]]
100	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': One sourcebook [[PlayingWithATrope plays with this trope]] in an example of how ThePaladin can be LawfulGood without being LawfulStupid. In the example questline given, The Paladin is honor-bound to follow the requests of the BigBad, and when the villain says, "Bring me the head of the king," the Paladin brings him the head... [[ExactWords along with the rest of the king, and his entire army.]]
101	* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'': The lore has several examples, due to all the arch-enemies amongst the various factions. Amongst others, Belegar Ironhammer has a price on the head of Skarsnik, goblin warlord of Belegar's home of Karak Eight Peaks, while their neighbour Kazador Dragonslayer has put a price on the head of the orc warlord Golfang Rotgut for kidnapping his family and shaving his son. And, of course, Khorne demands worship in the form of the skulls of his enemies.
102	[[/folder]]
103
104	[[folder: Theatre]]
105	* ''Theatre/{{Salome}}'', Oscar Wilde's interpretation of The Beheading of John the Baptist, casts Salome as a wicked temptress who cannot handle rejection and becomes angry with John the Baptist for refusing her advances. In this version, she asks for John's head as her reward without any prompting from Herodias, and after receiving it she declares her love to it and kisses it on the mouth (and in some modern stagings even starts making love to it), to Herod's disgust.
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108	[[folder: Video Games]]
109	* In ''VideoGame/BaldursGateIII'', the leader of a [[MushroomMan myconid]] colony named Spaw (or Glut if he succeeds in usurping Spaw) will demand for the head of Nere, a drow True Soul who leads a band of duergar slavers that recently attacked the colony when one of their deep gnome slaves sought refuge there, as retribution for said attack. Once the party meets Nere in Grymforge and kills him and his allies, they may then cut his head off and deliver it to Spaw/Glut.
110	* In ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSinII'', a few sidequests involve obtaining a target's head as a unique {{Organ Drop\|s}}:
111	** One ghost asks for the head of the man who killed him. He [[QuietingTheUnquietDead happily departs for the afterlife]] when he sees it, rewarding the player character with directions to his buried treasure.
112	** The bounty on the PsychoForHire Mummie Dearest is collected by hunting her down and delivering her head to Paladin Hardwin. He [[ItsPersonal personally]] set the price after she took an axe to his best friend's neck.
113	--->'''Narrator:''' He recoils in disgust. But then, recognizing her face... he grins.
114	** The player character can [[EnemyMine accept a quest]] to collect [[DiscOneFinalBoss Bishop Alexandar]]'s head for the Sallow Man -- an UndeadAbomination and lieutenant to the GreaterScopeVillain. It serves a purpose beyond killing an enemy; the Sallow Man [[BrainFood eats the head]] to [[GhostMemory absorb Alexandar's knowledge]].
115	* In ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', an NCR Major named Dhatri offers a bounty on three leaders of the Fiends, a gang of drugged up raiders. He asks for the heads as proof. If the player damages the heads too much in their efforts at collecting them, such as going for BoomHeadshot, they will get a smaller reward.
116	* In ''VideoGame/FarCry3'', [[BigBad Hoyt Volker]] delivers an [[FauxAffablyEvil insincerely friendly]] orientation speech to his {{Privateer}}s on what they can and can't do in his slave-trafficking ring, and [[KillItWithFire sets fire to some poor wretch who broke those rules]]. Then, right before he leaves, he tells his men that he has a special offer: Bring him [[TheHero Jason Brody's]] head, and he'll give them their own island. Needless to say, Jason has to fight even harder to prevent Hoyt's men from collecting.
117	* PlayedForDrama (twice) in ''VideoGame/GhostOfTsushima'', after [[BigBad Khotun Khan]] puts a bounty on [[SamuraiShinobi Jin Sakai's]] head, and each time the person who tries to collect [[WeUsedToBeFriends is someone close to Jin]].
118	** The first time, Jin's friend Ryuzo, the leader of the band of {{Ronin}} known as the Straw Hats, duels Jin for the bounty, out of desperation to [[AFatherToHisMen defend his men]], [[TheResenter bitterness towards Jin]] for beating him in a duel years ago that would have made him a samurai if he'd won, and doubt that [[NobleBigot Lord Shimura]] would ever reward his men for their efforts in freeing him. Jin keeps his head, but his friendship with Ryuzo is broken.
119	** The second time, Jin finds Ryuzo waiting for him at Castle Shimura, having been left behind by the Khan to collect Jin's head. This time, though, Ryuzo is no longer interested in the bounty, and instead [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder begs Jin to work with him against the Khan]] and lie to the people by telling them he was a FakeDefector sent to gain the Mongols' trust. Jin, [[ThisIsUnforgivable disgusted by Ryuzo's cowardice]], instead orders him to surrender and be judged for his crimes, and Ryuzo, knowing he'll be sentenced to death, [[CorneredRattlesnake decides to go down fighting]]. [[spoiler:He loses, and never collects Jin's head]].
120	* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'': [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] when a [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Czerka representative]] offers a bounty for the gaffi sticks carried by sand people. When the PlayerCharacter asks why she's not asking for their heads, she asks what he thinks she would prefer to have dumped on her office floor.
121	* ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda:'' A lengthy e-mail chain at New Tuchanka has a krogan SnakeOilSalesman promising the locals "real Varren roast", followed by many, many e-mails as he tries to weasel his way out of his hyperbolic promises. Following is another e-mail from one of his customers demanding his head - attached or not, she doesn't care, she just wants him to ''shut up''.
122	* In ''VideoGame/MechWarrior4Vengeance'', after a YouHaveFailedMe moment, Duncan Burke is threatened by [[BigBad Roland]] with death. Upon saying he can bring Roland [[PlayerCharacter Ian Dresari]], Roland says "Bring me Dresari's head, and you'll live."
123	* ''VideoGame/MiddleEarthShadowOfMordor'': After [[TheHero Talion]] and the [[LaResistance Outcasts]] destroy the Gorthaur (a monument depicting Sauron [[LookOnMyWorksYeMightyAndDespair subjugating the kings of Men]]), the Hammer of Sauron [[YouHaveFailedMe brains Warchief Ratbag for letting it happen]] and orders the other Orcs present to bring him the head of "[[RedBaron the Gravewalker]]". Talion shows up and [[BadassBoast dares him to claim it himself]].
124	* In ''VideoGame/{{Runescape}}'', The final part of "The Fremennik Isles" quest is to [[TheKingslayer kill the king]] of [[OurTrollsAreDifferent the ice trolls]] and bring back the head to the ruler of Neitiznot. While it's said to be for proof of death, the fact the ice trolls killed the burgher's wife and youngest son (alongside many others) may be part of the reason for cranium collection.
125	* In ''VideoGame/SpartanTotalWarrior'', When Tiberius finds out Sejanus did not bring back proof of the Spartan's death after trying to feed him to the Hydra, he demands his severed head as proof, especially after he yells that the Spartan is indeed not dead.
126	-->'''Tiberius:''' The Spartan is alive and seeking vengeance! I expected you to deal with him personally, not just feed him to your giant worm! You disappoint me, Sejanus. I wanted his head. Bring me his head! His head!
127	* The Ork Warboss Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter from ''VideoGame/DawnOfWar'' has a preoccupation with obtaining the heads of his enemies to put on his 'pointy stik', [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou though in most cases he prefers taking their heads personally]] and rebuffs offers from his minions to have them brought to him. Attack his headquarters in ''Retribution'' and he will make an exception and demand his forces bring him your skulls.
128	* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIITidesOfDarkness'': During the mission briefing for the Tomb of Sargeras level, the player is asked to "return with the head of Gul'dan." His skull goes on to be a powerful artifact that corrupts the environment around it, houses Gul'dan's lingering spirit, and is used to close the Dark Portal that allowed the Orcs to invade Azeroth. It is even an obtainable item in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''.
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131	[[folder: Webcomics]]
132	* ''Webcomic/AwfulHospital'': Played for BlackComedy when a villain demands "substantial biomaterial" from hit men as proof of death, being unfamiliar with Earth biology. Cheryl somehow [[https://bogleech.com/awfulhospital/w15 produces]] a copy of her own severed head via unexplained [[TheMultiverse Multiverse]] shenanigans that [[EvenEvilHasStandards even creep out the hit men]].
133	* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': When the ArcVillain Kubota [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0562.html learns]] that his minion Therkla rescued one of the heroes opposing him, he appreciates the LoopholeAbuse with which she justifies it, but unambiguously orders her to kill the hero and deliver his head next time.
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136	[[folder: Web Video]]
137	* ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'' sees Kirito do [[NoodleIncident something offscreen]] to upset the [[AxeCrazy King of Ashes]], right after Heathcliff spent a long time in peace talks to get their permission to pass through.
138	-->'''King of Ashes''': [[NoIndoorVoice BRING ME THE HEAD OF KIRITO!]]
139	-->'''Subordinate''': But it will shatter, sire!
140	-->'''King of Ashes''': THEN BRING ME THE SHAAAARDS!
141	[[/folder]]
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Context Main / DemandingTheirHead