Cromwell (1970)

Alec Guinness: King Charles 'Stuart' I

Photos 

Quotes 

• King Charles : I do swear that hold this England and its laws dearer to my heart than any here. But gentlemen, if you would reduce me to a figurehead - a puppet king, manipulated by parliament - how then would I serve my country? What manner of king would I be?

  Oliver Cromwell : I am persuaded, Your Majesty, that England must move forward to a more enlightened form of government, based upon a true representation of a free people. Such an institution is known as... "democracy", sir.

  King Charles : Democracy, Mister...

  Oliver Cromwell : Cromwell, sir.

  King Charles : Democracy, Mister Cromwell, was a Greek drollery based on the foolish notion that there are extraordinary possibilities in very ordinary people.

  Oliver Cromwell : It is the ordinary people, my lord, who would most readily lay down their lives in defense of your realm. It is simply that "being ordinary", they would prefer to be asked - and not told.

• King Charles : Mr. Cromwell, you are impertient.

  Oliver Cromwell : Such issues are beyond good manners, sir. Catholicism is more than a religion. It ia a political power. Therefore, I am led to believe there will be no peace in Ireland until the Catholic Church is crushed.

• President Bradshaw : Sir, you are before a court of law!

  King Charles I : I see I am before a *power*...

• King Charles : [the king receives a peace offer]  Perhaps I should negotiate... listen to my subjects. Perhaps I have been mistaken...

  Queen Henrietta Maria : [fiery and impatient]  For heaven's sake, my love, if you cannot remain firm in our bedchamber at least try to remain firm in the light of day!

• King Charles : Do you mean, sir, that I should declare war on my own people?

  The Earl of Strafford : Aye, before they declare war on you!

• King Charles : [On scaffold, about to be executed]  I go now from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown to everlasting glory.

• King Charles : [to Prince Rupert]  You did give me your most solemn promise that you would hold Bristol for four months, yet you have not held it for four weeks. You promised mountains, yet you performed molehills.

• Oliver Cromwell : Your Majesty, it is my most solemn duty to place you under arrest.

  King Charles : By whose command, sir?

  Oliver Cromwell : By the command of Parliament, sir.

  King Charles : I know of no authority in England above that of the king.

  Oliver Cromwell : It is upon that issue that this war was fought.