Mrs. Brown (1997)

Judi Dench: Queen Victoria

Photos 

Quotes 

• Queen Victoria : Mr Brown.

  John Brown : Yes, ma'am.

  Queen Victoria : You have been told repeatedly not to stand in the courtyard unless requested to do so.

  John Brown : Yes, ma'am.

  Queen Victoria : Then why do you persist in doing it?

  John Brown : Because I think Her Majesty is wrong. If ever there was a poor soul who needed fresh air, it is her.

  Queen Victoria : The Queen will ride out if and when she chooses.

  John Brown : And I intend to be there when she's ready.

• Queen Victoria : I will not tolerate anybody lecturing me about the responsibility of the monarchy. Least of all my son. It was his irresponsibility that drove my husband to his grave.

• Queen Victoria : Duty? You talk about duty?

  John Brown : If duty and safety are served by the same end then, aye, I do.

  Queen Victoria : I cannot believe you are saying this? You, who I have relied on all this time.

  John Brown : Have I ever let you down before?

  Queen Victoria : You stand there and tell me it is my duty. After all you promised me!

  John Brown : I'm breaking no promises!

  Queen Victoria : You are forcing me to do the very thing you know I fear most!

  John Brown : For god's sake, woman, I'm just trying to keep you safe!

  Queen Victoria : I will not hear any more about my safety! You made me a promise and now you have broken it!

  John Brown : When I took you out riding, come rain or shine, because I knew it was right for you, when I kept the bairns off your back so you could have a bit of peace, when I saw you safe from home to home and you didn't even knowI was there. All I've ever thought about is you!

  Queen Victoria : Then why send me back to them?

  John Brown : Because I have to! Will you no listen to me, woman?

  Queen Victoria : Do not presume to talk to your Queen in that manner.

• Queen Victoria : I have noticed of late that my feelings of grief are not so strong, and I find myself leaning more on the comfort of living friends. Friends close to me now.

  Doctor Jenner : Your Majesty, a settled resignation is more lasting proof of affection than active grief. If the Good Lord sees fit to bring one into contact with congenial fellow beings, one need not analyze one's reaction too deeply. To allow oneself to be comforted by someone else need not imply disloyalty to the memory of the loved one.

• Queen Victoria : [Queen spills water down her front] 

  John Brown : Honest to God woman, I never thought I'd see you in such a state, you must miss him dreadfully.

  Queen Victoria : You do not! - he- Get him out!

  [heads towards door] 

  Queen Victoria : GET HIM OUT! GET HIM OUT!

• Queen Victoria : No-one should think themselves wiser than me! It is not for any of the Queen's subjects to presume to tell Her Majesty when and where She should come out of mourning. It is the Queen's sorrow that keeps her secluded! It is Her overwhelming amount of work and responsibility, work which She feels will soon wear her out entirely! Is it not enough that She is uncheered and unguided that she should also have to suffer these malicious rumors? I am not a fool. I know there are those in the establishment too afraid to attack me and so they attack my dearest friends. Sometimes I feel that Brown is all I have left of Albert. And now they attack Brown too. I will not give him up to them.

• Queen Victoria : [to Prime Minister Disraeli]  How dare the Irish break with the Anglicans? If Albert were alive today he would never allow the Crown to give up Church patronage. No, the Irish must be told, very firmly, to stay exactly where they are. It is the thin edge of the wedge, Mr Disraeli. Next, you will be telling me that the Crown no longer governs this nation.

• Queen Victoria : Why aren't you with him?

  Princess Alexandra : You ordered all members of the Royal Family attend you at Balmoral, ma'am.

• [to a princess at lunch] 

  Queen Victoria : You're not eating enough. One must not let vanity overrule appetite.

• Queen Victoria : No one should think themselves wiser than me!