Great Catherine (1968)

Zero Mostel: Potemkin

Photos 

Quotes 

• Potemkin : In Russia, a gentleman has no scruples. In Russia we face facts.

  Capt. Charles Edstaston : In England a gentleman never faces any facts if they are unpleasant.

• Potemkin : Why not merely get rid of him? Send him to Siberia!

  Catherine : Don't be stupid, Potemkin. He's English. He would have the place colonized within a year.

• Potemkin : Is true. The English despise men who are half drunk. I must make myself completely drunk.

• Capt. Charles Edstaston : I must allow myself to say, ma'am, that your uncle had better not attempt to kick an Englishman downstairs.

  Potemkin : You want me to kick you upstairs?

• Potemkin : Young man. It is not better to be drunk than sober. But it is happier.

• Potemkin : You have no hearts, you English! Heart! Heart!

  [slaps the right side of his chest] 

  Capt. Charles Edstaston : Pardon, your highness. Your heart is on the other side.

  [...] 

  Potemkin : Darling! A true Russian has a heart on both sides!

• Potemkin : Have you had a college education, darling? I have.

  Capt. Charles Edstaston : Certainly. I am a bachelor of arts.

  Potemkin : Once she know you are a bachelor, Catherine will supply the arts.

• [last lines] 

  Catherine : If I could only have had him for my... for my...

  Potemkin : For your lover?

  Catherine : No. For my museum.

• Potemkin : Varinka, go look through keyhole in imperial bedchamber and bring back word whether empress is awake yet.

  Varinka : I do not look through keyholes.

  Potemkin : You have been badly brought up, my little darling. Would any lady or gentleman walk into a room unannounced without first looking through keyhole?