Nicholas and Alexandra (1971)

John McEnery: Kerensky

Photos 

Quotes 

• The American Ambassador : In your position, I'd put this Lenin quietly in jail.

  Alexander Kerensky : On what pretext?

  The American Ambassador : I've read his speeches. Surely you have, too.

  Alexander Kerensky : I cannot put a man in jail for what he thinks. It's in your Bill of Rights.

  The American Ambassador : He wants to overthrow the government by force. We Americans call that treason.

  Alexander Kerensky : In Russia, it's always been too easy to lock a man up because he disagrees with you. It's a bad habit. If the people want Lenin, they can vote him into power in December.

• Alexander Kerensky : Do you realize I'm all that stands between you and the block? No munitions. No supplies. I don't know where the army stands. The treasury is bankrupt. The students riot. Workers carry arms. The Socialists want this, the Mensheviks want that. The Radicals, the Centrists, the Kadets, the Bolsheviks. I can't arrest them even if I wanted to. We have rights and laws now. You had power and no laws. I have laws and no power.

  Tsar Nicholas II : I wish I could help you.

  Alexander Kerensky : You had your chances. I wish I had mine.

• Alexander Kerensky : The Bolsheviks have taken over the station, the telegraphs, the banks. How strong are they? If we had loyal troops, how many would it take to dislodge them?

  General Alexeiev : One regiment would be enough. But I haven't got a regiment. At least, not one I can trust.

• Alexander Kerensky : Not quite the way you do it in your Parliament. We haven't English manners yet.

  The British Ambassador : My government is more concerned with content than the style. One detects a certain sentiment for peace. That worries us.

  Alexander Kerensky : It's mostly the Bolsheviks. Nobody pays any attention to them.

• Tsarina Alexandra : Nicholas, I want my things. I want my pictures and my scrapbooks. I want...

  Alexander Kerensky : Frau Romanov, you have kept your head. You should be grateful.

• Alexander Kerensky : They're coming for us. Now, do we run? Or, do we fight?

• Alexander Kerensky : Set all differences aside! We are Russians, first of all. And until the day of victory dawns, we stand united! In the defense of Holy Russia!