The Russia House (1990)

James Fox: Ned

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Russell produces a stack of reports on the analysis of Dante's material] 

  Clive : And is there a conclusion?

  Russell : Clive, there is a conclusion: drop it down the toilet.

  Ned : And is that what you think, Russell?

  Russell : Well, expert opinion has that this notebook was written very quickly... or very slowly. By a man, or a woman. The writer was right-handed, or he was left-handed. What I think? For "experts," there's no toilet deep enough.

• [talking about Western relations with Russia] 

  Barley : Aren't we supposed to be such good friends now?

  Ned : [sarcastically]  Oh, my dear lord...

  Walter : Because this year it suits them to roll over on their backs and play nice doggie? Because this year they're on the floor anyway? You ninny! All the more reason to spy the living daylights out of them. Kick them in the balls every time they get to their knees.

• Russell : [on the phone with Ned]  I've heard the tapes and I've never so much pussy-footing around in my life! Barley needs to tell Katya, 'No more Greta fucking Garbo!' And Dante better shit or get off the pot! We're being pelted with crap on the streets over here!

  Ned : Alright, Russell, message understood.

  [Hangs up and calls someone over] 

  Ned : Russell's metaphors are becoming rather scatological.

• Ned : The issue is: "why"? That's what you're looking for all the time: we trust the motive, we trust the man, and we can trust the material. Why did Dante pick on Katya? Why does he put her life at risk? Why does she let him? Is she a spy?