Memorable Quotes from Helen Mirren
22 quotesConflict Between Monarchs and Madness Explored
Queen Charlotte
TYRANT!!
[storms into the chamber; angrily advances towards and slaps George IV across the face]
George IV
Assaulted by both one's parents in the same evening. What is this life coming to?
Queen Charlotte
I was told it would be so. In England, always the prince hates the king.
George IV
Is that why he is mad?
Queen Charlotte
If he's mad, sir, you've made him so by your idleness.
George IV
If I'm idle, madam, it's because the King gives me nothing to do.
Queen Charlotte
Do? What do I do. I support him. I have his children, 15 of them!
George IV
Then you should be grateful to me for giving you a breathing space. No, a breeding space. I'm sorry. That really is awfully funny.
[chuckles; he and the Royal staff laugh with howls of laughter]
Queen Charlotte
George. No, George, please. Please let me stay with him. Please.
George IV
No, madam.
Queen Charlotte
On what authority?
George IV
Medical authority, ma'am. On the authority of a son, ma'am, who cares for his sick father.
Queen Charlotte
But I'm his wife. Do I not care for him, too?!
George IV
Possibly, madam. But in his current frame of mind, I'm afraid His Majesty does not seem to care for you.
Queen Charlotte
No!
[sobs in anguish]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Hespera Declares War on Champions of Earth
Hespera
We are at war. We will annihilate everything. The champions of this realm can do nothing to stop us.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Father's Core is Taken Away
Hespera
You ripped it from our father's core.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Communication Breakdown Among Team Members
Dr. Floyd
All right, what's going on here?
[sighs, takes off glasses]
Tanya Kirbuk
What do you mean?
Dr. Floyd
Well, I may not be the swiftest guy in the world, even when I'm not hung over, but I do seem to remember a process where you people ask me questions and I give you answers and then I ask questions and you give me answers and that's the way we find out things. I think I read that in a manual somewhere.
Tanya Kirbuk
Your government wanted us to awaken you when we reported our findings. We did that. You are here to help us reactivate the Discovery and its computer systems because that is United States territory. You are authorized to observe other aspects of our mission. We have no other obligation.
Dr. Vladimir Rudenko
A lot has happened while you have been asleep.
Dr. Vasili Orlov
It is not our choice.
Tanya Kirbuk
The problem in Central America is growing worse.
Dr. Floyd
This looks as if you've detected the presence of chlorophyll.
Tanya Kirbuk
The United States is threatening a naval blockade.
Dr. Floyd
There's nothing but ice down there, so how the hell can there be any chlorophyll?
Tanya Kirbuk
You know and I know that my country cannot allow a blockade.
Dr. Floyd
How fast is it moving?
Tanya Kirbuk
We are under instructions -
Dr. Floyd
Listen, just because our governments are behaving like asses doesn't mean we have to. We're supposed to be scientists, not politicians. How fast?
Tanya Kirbuk
Doctor Floyd, I am also an officer of the Soviet Air Force!
Dr. Floyd
How fast?!
Dr. Vasili Orlov
One meter per minute.
Dr. Floyd
Don't worry, I'm just observing. Toward the sun?
Dr. Vasili Orlov
Yes.
Dr. Floyd
That's...that's incredible.
Tanya Kirbuk
We are going to send a probe down.
Dr. Floyd
Good!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Royal Inquiry at Windsor
George III
And what brings you to Windsor, sire?
George IV
I had heard Your Majesty was indisposed, but I see that...
George III
Indisposed.
George IV
Is there any way I can assist?
George III
Want to hump the old bird out of the nest, is that it?
George IV
No, sir. There may be responsibilities that I could share.
George III
Want to get your fat hands on government, is that it? Well, I'm old and infirm. I'll not trouble you long.
George IV
I wish you the best of health, Father.
George III
Wish me? Wish me? You wish me death, you plump little cuckoo!
George IV
Hush, Father, hush.
George III
Hush? HUSH?! You dare to stop the King of England from speaking his mind?! You powdered puppy!
[stands up from the chair; angrily takes off the powdered wig in front of the crowd and the orchestra; throws the powdered wig and chases George IV across the room]
George IV
Papa! Papa, please! Papa, please! Papa! For God's sake, do something! Do something! No, Papa!
George III
I'll choke the air out of you! Let me at him! I'll wring his neck!
[grabs George IV by the neck and pins him to the floor; the Royal servants restrain George III and pull him away]
Queen Charlotte
It was something he ate.
George III
You fools! Can't you see that you will all be put out?!
Queen Charlotte
We know your game, you monster!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Family Discourse on Health and Duty
George III
The son is unwholesome.
Queen Charlotte
And fatter, always fatter.
George III
Fatter because he is not doing, what, what? Do you know England, sir?
George IV
I think so, sir.
George III
You know, Brighton, Bath, yes. But you know its mills and manufactories? Do you know its farms? Because I do. Do you know what they call me?
George IV
What do they call you, sir?
George III
Farmer George. Do you know what that is?
George IV
Impertinent, sir?
George III
No, sir, love!
Queen Charlotte
Affection.
George III
It is admiration, sir. You ought to marry, sir, settle down.
Queen Charlotte
Yes, grow up.
George III
Good plain woman. That's what you want.
Queen Charlotte
Yeah.
George III
Then the people will love you, sir, as they love me. It is not good, this idleness. That is why you're getting fat, sir. Do not be fat, sir. Fight it, fight it!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Call for Family Unity and Normalcy
Francis Willis
Your Majesty, I shall be in the cathedral, should the ceremony prove to be too much of a burden for you.
George III
You may tell Dr. Willis that the ceremony will not be such a burden as the want of ceremony has been. And do not look at me, sir. Presume not that I am the thing I was. I'm not the patient, sir. Be off with you, sir. Back to your sheep and your pigs. The King is himself again. We must try to be more of a family. There are model farms now, model villages, even model factories. Well, we must be a model family, for the nation to look to.
[the Royal Family ascend the steps]
Queen Charlotte
Yes, you must try to be more typical, Fred.
George IV
But, Pa, I want something to do.
George III
Do? Well, follow in my footsteps. That's what you should do. Smile at the people, wave to them. Let them see that we're happy. That is why we're here.
[sees the crowd waving; the Royal Family wave to the cheering crowd]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The End of Revelry
Prospera
Be cheerful sir, our revels now are ended.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Power and Fear in Political Conflict
Caesonia
They hate you now.
Caligula
Let them hate me, so long as they fear me.
Caesonia
They are senators and consuls. They are important men.
Caligula
So important that they approve all I do? They must be mad. I don't know what else to do to provoke them.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Catering to Special Dietary Needs at Dinner
Lady Sylvia McCordle
Mrs Wilson, a major crisis has arisen. I've just found out that Mr Weissman won't eat meat and I don't know what to do and I can't ask Mrs Croft. I simply don't dare.
Mrs. Wilson
Oh, everything's under control your ladyship. Mr Weissman's valet informed us as soon as he arrived so we've prepared a special version of the soup, he can eat the fish and the hors d'oeuvres, there'll be a welsh rarebit for the game course, I'm not sure what we're going to do about the entree but we'll think of something.
Lady Sylvia McCordle
Thank you Mrs Wilson. Ten steps ahead as always. Which one of you is Mr Weissman's valet?
Henry Denton
I am, your Ladyship.
Lady Sylvia McCordle
Are you indeed. Yes. Well. Thank you for your... efficiency.
[pause while she takes a good look at him]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Balancing Lives in a Critical Situation
Colonel Katherine Powell
Many children's lives are at risk. This is just one girl.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Embracing Routine and Occasional Restlessness
Victoria
I love it here. I love the baking, I love the flower arranging. I like the routine...Well, I do get a bit restless sometimes. I take the odd contract on the side. I just can't stop.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Dispute Over Royal Property and Madness
Margaret Nicholson
I have a property due to me from the Crown of England!
George III
The poor creature's mad. No, no, no, no, no. Do not hurt her. She has not hurt me.
[hands the blank petition to the soldier]
Margaret Nicholson
Give me my property, or the country will be drenched in blood!
George III
Will it, indeed, madam? Well, not with this. It's a fruit knife. Wouldn't cut a cabbage. Ah. Who are you, sir?
[gently exposes the fruit knife; turns to Captain Greville]
Soldier
Oh, this is Captain Greville, sir, the new equerry.
George III
Well, you are undressed, sir. Do yourself up, sir. You're an equerry, not a scarecrow.
Margaret Nicholson
I have a property due to me from the Crown of England.
Queen Charlotte
You murderous fiend! Thank God I have you yet.
George III
Do not fuss, madam. The King has no wound, just a torn waistcoat.
George IV
One would consider that almost as vexing.
George III
What was that?
George III
I was rejoicing, sir, that you are unharmed.
Queen Charlotte
The son rejoices. The Prince of Wales rejoices. Huh!
Prince Frederick
Me, too, Pa. God save the King! And so on.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Encouragement to Smile and Wave
Queen Charlotte
George! Smile, you lazy hound. It's what you're paid for. Smile and wave. Come on. Smile and wave. Everybody, smile and wave. Smile! Wave!
[seeing George IV with a frown in another carriage]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Personal Grievance Against the Children
Hespera
Children stole the power of all the gods. This is very personal.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Art of Anticipation in Service
Mrs. Wilson
What gift do you think a good servant has that separates them from the others? It's the gift of anticipation. And I'm a good servant. I'm better than good. I'm the best. I'm the perfect servant. I know when they'll be hungry and the food is ready. I know when they'll be tired and the bed is turned down. I know it before they know it themselves.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Queen Charlotte Confronts a Sinister Presence
Queen Charlotte
We know your game, you monster!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Operation Focused on Capture, Not Kill
Colonel Katherine Powell
This is an operation to capture, not kill.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Advice to Prevent Self-Harm
Victoria
Tell Marvin to stand down before he hurts himself.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of Dreams and Life
Prospera
We are such as dreams are made on, and our little lives are rounded with a sleep.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods - Hespera
Hespera
Give us the powers, child.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Prospera's Vow of Vengeance and Chaos
Prospera
I will plague them all, even to roaring!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.