Quotes

Dialogue

King George VI: Winston lacks judgment. Neville Chamberlain: He was right about Hitler. King George VI: Well, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Dialogue

Anthony Eden: (re: the King) You only have to meet him once a week. Winston Churchill: But that's like saying you only have to have your tooth pulled once a week.

Dialogue

King George VI: I believe we are to meet regularly. Winston Churchill: Once a week, I'm afraid. King George VI: How is... How are you for Mondays? Winston Churchill: Um, I shall endeavor to be available on Mondays. King George VI: 4:00? Winston Churchill: I nap at 4:00. King George VI: Is that permissible? Winston Churchill: No. But necessary. I work late.

Dialogue

Clementine Churchill: Are we terribly old? Winston Churchill: Yes, I'm afraid you are. Clementine Churchill: Oh, you beast!

Dialogue

Winston Churchill: Do I have your, uh, permission, uh, to send, uh, an aircraft carrier to pick up the P-40 fighter planes we purchased from you? Mr. President? President Roosevelt: Well, you-you've got me there again. New law preventing transshipment of military equipment. Winston Churchill: Uh, but we paid for them. We-we paid for them with the money that we... that we borrowed from you.

Dialogue

Halifax: I will not stand by and watch another generation of young men die at the bloody altar of your hubris! Winston Churchill: No, you would have us die as lambs! Viscount Halifax: Was Gallipoli not enough for you? Winston Churchill: HOW DARE YOU! Our troops were chewing barbed wire in Flanders and I saw it! Opening a second front, outflanking the Turks was a serious military idea and it could have damn well worked if the Admirals and the First Sea Lord hadn't dithered away the element of surprise!

Dialogue

King George VI: How do you manage drinking during the day? Winston Churchill: Practice.

Dialogue

Winston Churchill: What utter nonsense. Look at me. What could possibly be scary about me? King George VI: One never knows what's going to come out of your mouth next. Something that'll flatter, something that'll wound. Winston Churchill: My emotions are unbridled. A wildness in the blood I share with my father. And my mother also. We lack the gift of temperance. King George VI: Were you close to your parents? Winston Churchill: My mother was glamorous... but perhaps too widely-loved. My father was... like God. Busy elsewhere.

Dialogue

Winston Churchill: The German army controls every French port except Dunkirk here and Calais here to the west, where the garrison under Brigadier Nicholson is drawing fire and delaying the German advance on Dunkirk. At both points, our troops are encircled. Now, we are still trying to clear Dunkirk Harbor of wrecked ships so that we can then land the boats we need to get our-our boys off those beaches. But enemy aircraft is attacking us constantly. Our... our only hope in Dunkirk is thick cloud cover to thwart these attacks, but the skies remain clear. And even then, I am told we still need a-a-a miracle to get even 10% of our men out. Courage, Miss Layton. Courage. [to a passing officer] General. Elizabeth Layton: How... how long have they got... if we don't rescue them? Winston Churchill: One, maybe... two days.

Dialogue

Clementine Churchill: Come to bed, Pug. You've got to sleep. Winston Churchill: Leave me, Clemmie. Clementine Churchill: Yes, well, my opportunity to do that passed a long time ago.

Dialogue

Clementine Churchill: Now, get up. You have a visitor. Winston Churchill: Who? Clementine Churchill: The King. Winston Churchill: Which king? Ours? Clementine Churchill: Well, if it isn't him, it's a marvelous impersonation.

Dialogue

King George VI: And you? Are you not afraid? Winston Churchill: I am, most terribly. King George VI: You have my support. Winston Churchill: ...Your Majesty? King George VI: You have my support. I confess I had some reservations about you at first. But while some in this country dreaded your appointment, none - none - dreaded it like Adolf Hitler. Whomever can strike fear into that brute heart is worthy of all of our trust. We shall work together, you and I. You shall have my support, at any hour. Beat the buggers.

Dialogue

Winston Churchill: On certain matters I have very few people with whom I can... talk frankly. King George VI: Perhaps now we have each other. Winston Churchill: And I no longer scare you? King George VI: A little. But I can cope.