The Innocents (1961)

Michael Redgrave: The Uncle

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Quotes 

• Miss Giddens : The children... have they had a governess before?

  The Uncle : Yes, unfortunately. Not that there was anything wrong with Miss Jessel. She was an excellent governess and a most respectable woman. The children quite liked her especially little Flora. Oh, which reminds me: Be careful not to broach that subject to Flora unless of course, she broaches it to you first which I doubt will happen because she was so fond of Miss Jessel and it did come as an appalling shock.

  Miss Giddens : I'm not certain that I understand you, sir.

  The Uncle : She died.

• The Uncle : I'm a bachelor but not I might add a lonely one. I spend a great deal of time abroad and as for my London life, well, it amuses me, but it's not the sort of amusement that one could suitably share with children. In brief Miss Giddens, I'm a very selfish fellow, and the last man alive to be saddled so suddenly and so awkwardly with two orphaned infants. It's most unfortunate, as I have no room for them mentally or emotionally. Does that seem quite heartless?

• The Uncle : Miss Giddens, may I ask you a somewhat personal question? Do you have an imagination?

  Miss Giddens : Oh!

  [chuckles] 

  Miss Giddens : Oh, yes, I can answer that. Yes.

  The Uncle : Good. Truth is very seldom understood by any but imaginative persons... and I want to be quite truthful.