Michael Jayston Quotes

Alexandra Does he have to be Alexis? Can't we call him something else?

Nicholas Alexis was a gentle czar. Perhaps the only one.

Alexandra Not counting you.

Nicholas I've often thought I should like to be a country gentleman. I've always liked to watch things grow.

Nicholas I didn't want to come on this tercentenary tour, Pyotr Arkadyevich. But, God help me, I do love it when they stand and wave.

Nicholas Mama's off to England in a month or so. She says the spring was late this year but very beautiful. Lord, but it's good to be alive! The world is like a field in summer, bursting with good things. One day, when all the wars are over, someone young will lead us to the harvest. As long as there are children, anything is possible.

Jack Donovan Does the boy know you're not his real father?

Connor MacLeod Yeah, John's known he was adopted since before he could spell it.

Jack Donovan Well whatever's taking you away, I hope it's worth what you're leaving.

Connor MacLeod Me too.

Nicholas All my life, my whole life, I've done what you want. I gave Mother up. You hated her, so we don't see her anymore. I gave my friends up. Do you know I haven't a single friend? I've got my family. Four girls, one sick boy, and you. I ask before I eat, sleep, or change my clothes, "Is this what Sunny wants?" And it never is. There's always more. Sweet Jesus, how much do you want of me?

Count Witte Have I Your Majesty's permission to review the facts again? If Port Arthur falls...

Nicholas No fact begins with "if.

Count Witte Port Arthur has been under siege for six months. It has cost us 30,000 dead. If it ... A student stopped me in the street the other day. "Excuse me, sir, but why are we at war?" "Because, my boy, we want Korea, but the Japanese would insist on fighting us for it." "Thank you, sir, but what does Russia need Korea for?" "Because, my boy, we have no ice-free port on the Pacific." "I see. In that case, sir, it isn't good enough." He's right, sir. It's not good enough at all. Imagine, sire. Imagine that you are a factory worker. You're really poor. Your belly is never full. You freeze eight months of the year. Your children have no school, no doctor. Your country taxes you and sends your sons a continent away to die on a piece of land on the Pacific. Now, sir, Japan is a third-rate power. If she defeats us, if Port Arthur falls, we shall be disgraced in the eyes of the world, and here at home, we shall have an insurrection on our hands.

Nicholas My people love me, Sergei Yulyevich.

Count Witte They want a constitution and the right to vote for an elected duma. They're angry, and they're serious.

Nicholas Are you advising me to give my rights away?

Count Witte I'm advising you to stop a hopeless war.

Nicholas Is it so hopeless, Nikolasha?

Grand Duke Nicholas Well, Nicky, let me put it this way. Here's a bullet, a bullet made in St. Petersburg. I send it off to war. How does it get there? On a single spur of track 4,000 miles long. And in the middle, no track at all. Oh, God help it; it spends three days packed on sleds. And every boot, shell or pound of tea we send. Get out now, Nicky, while there's time.

Nicholas The Russia that my father gave me never lost a war. What shall I say to my son when the time comes? That I had no pride, that I was weak? I've always thought... God meant me to rule. He put me here. He chose me. And whatever happens is His will. We shall fight on to victory.

Count Witte There will be no victory. Only strikes and riots. You must give your people a little of what they want, sir. Not all. Just a taste.

Nicholas The English have a parliament. Our British cousins gave their rights away. The Hapsburgs and the Hohenzollerns too. The Romanovs will not. What I was given, I will give my son.

Nicholas He's a good man. They always kill the good men, the ones who help the most. They killed my ]. He freed the serfs, you know. He helped them, so they threw a bomb. Stolypin is a good man. I can't find a match. ... Damn them all. You help them, and they kill you for it. Give them dumas, and they give you bombs. I want them paid in kind. You understand me? I want something done.

Nicholas Our diplomats will send some angry notes, a few generals will go on exercise, and everyone will be sensible again. All over Europe, the kings and queens are sleeping safely in their beds. And that's what we are going to do.