The Prisoner of Zenda (1952)

Stewart Granger: Rudolf Rassendyll, King Rudolf V

Photos 

Quotes 

• King Rudolf V : I like you. You're a good fellow. Oh, you're English, but you're a good fellow. I want to drink a toast to you.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : I know my clothes are a little conservative, but we English always dress as if we're going to a funeral when we're on a holiday.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  I probably looked like a prize idiot and talked like one, too.

  Princess Flavia : You're too modest. You really looked and acted like a King today.

  Rudolf Rassendyll : Oh, thank you.

  Princess Flavia : It was delightfully unexpected.

  Rudolf Rassendyll : Oh.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  Well, I think everything went off very well, don't you? For a coronation, I mean, that is, not that a coronation shouldn't go well. Provided the king puts in an appearance suitably dressed and suitably rehearsed.

  Princess Flavia : And suitably sober.

  Rudolf Rassendyll : And suitably sober! Yes, I was hoping you would notice that.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : I was hoping that our skeleton was safe at home in our family cupboard.

  Fritz von Tarlenheim : Some skeletons are prodigious travelers.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : But surely, no woman in her right senses would prefer the Duke to you.

  Rupert of Hentzau : Women are never in their right senses, thank goodness!

• King Rudolf V : You must forgive me if I seem a little slow, but it's a bit early in the day to see double - even for me.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : I hope your trout take as much interest in me as you do. I shan't be able to land them fast enough.

• King Rudolf V : I propose a toast.

  Man : Here here!

  Fritz von Tarlenheim : Another toast!

  King Rudolf V : A toast to... have we anybody left?

  Rudolf Rassendyll : Your brother Michael, perhaps?

  King Rudolf V : We drink to Michael in vinegar, my friend, not in good wine.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [having difficulty putting on the King's ring]  I hope the crown's a better fit.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [when his life is threatened by Hentzau]  Half my kingdom... for a match.

• King Rudolf V : What are you doing here, cousin?

  Rudolf Rassendyll : I must admit to being guilty of the same offense as our mutual ancestor, Your Majesty.

  King Rudolf V : And what was that?

  Rudolf Rassendyll : Fishing in forbidden waters.

• King Rudolf V : He can't drink. I can drink. I'm the King.

• Col. Zapt : You have a duty, Your Majesty.

  King Rudolf V : Duty, duty. On my last night of freedom?

  Col. Zapt : I question your freedom to drink yourself into a condition in which you'll not be fit to be crowned.

  King Rudolf V : I question your right to address me in that manner.

  Col. Zapt : I served your father in...

  King Rudolf V : I question your right to bring my father into this.

• Princess Flavia : Bless them. They're with you heart and soul.

  Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  Me? It was you they were cheering. I felt like cheering you too when I first saw you.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  By the way, among my other failings, I've rather neglected you, haven't I?

  Princess Flavia : Two picture post cards in three years, I think.

  Rudolf Rassendyll : To think, all this time you've been changing into the loveliest princess in Europe. No, the loveliest girl in Europe.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  I had a queer feeling that something might go wrong.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  I'm crowned king, I meet the loveliest, the most beautiful woman.

  Princess Flavia : Well, that isn't what you used to say. You used to call me "that clumsy little scarecrow."

  Rudolf Rassendyll : I did?

  Princess Flavia : Yes.

  Rudolf Rassendyll : I should've been horsewhipped.

  Princess Flavia : Those were my very words.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  I love you more than truth or life or honor.

  [kiss] 

  Princess Flavia : Tell me, Rudolf, why is it that I love you now with all my heart, when I never even liked you before?

• Princess Flavia : You ask that as if you'd be pleased to hear me say yes.

  Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  Would "yes" be true?

  Princess Flavia : Yes.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  There are times when a man might find it impossible to do even what his heart prompts him to do. But I never could willingly do anything to hurt you.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : [impersonating King Rudolf V]  Could you still love me if I were not the king?

  Princess Flavia : In my heart there is no king, no crown. Only you.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : Before we go any further, I must tell you I'm prepared to give you a chance to escape - your thoroughly well-deserved end - on the condition that you yourself return the prisoner of Zenda to me alive.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : From the first moment I saw you in the cathedral I knew you were the only woman in the world for me.

• Rudolf Rassendyll : I've been an impostor for your sake, I'll not be one for my own.

• King Rudolf V : I haven't lived like a king. But perhaps I can die like one and not disgrace the crown I never wore.