The History Boys (2006)

Russell Tovey: Rudge

Photos 

Quotes 

• [at a mock interview for entrance to an Oxford college] 

  Tom Irwin : Um, Rudge...

  Mrs. Lintott : Now. How do you define history Mr. Rudge?

  Rudge : Can I speak freely, Miss? Without being hit?

  Mrs. Lintott : I will protect you.

  Rudge : How do I define history? It's just one fuckin' thing after another.

  [raucous laughter from the other students, but the interview board is appalled] 

  Mrs. Lintott : I see. And why do you want to come to Christ Church?

  Rudge : It's the one I thought I might get into.

• Headmaster : Ah, Irwin! Splendid news!

  [pops the cork of a bottle of champagne] 

  Headmaster : Splendid news! Posner a scholarship! Dakin an exhibition! And places for everybody else!

  [cops a feel of Fiona's bum] 

  Headmaster : It's... it's more then one could have ever hoped for! Irwin you are to be congratulated! A remarkable achievement! Oh and, you too, you too Dorothy of course, you, ah, laid the foundation.

  Mrs. Lintott : Not Rudge headmaster.

  Headmaster : Not Rudge. Oh, dear.

  Tom Irwin : He said nothing, the others have all had letters.

  Headmaster : There's always an outside chance. It's a pity, it would have been good to have a clean swoop.

  [Rudge appears at the door, but only seen by Mrs. Lintott] 

  Headmaster : Still as I've said all along, you can't polish a turd.

  Mrs. Lintott : [Rudge leaves and Mrs. Lintott takes after him down the hallway]  Rudge!

  [Rudge stops and turns around] 

  Mrs. Lintott : You haven't heard from Oxford?

  [Rudge shakes his head] 

  Mrs. Lintott : Perhaps you'll hear tomorrow.

  Rudge : Why should I? They told me when I was there.

  Mrs. Lintott : I'm sorry.

  Rudge : What for? I got in.

  Mrs. Lintott : How come?

  Rudge : How come they told me, or how come they took a thick sod like me?... I had family connections.

  Mrs. Lintott : [incredulously]  Somebody in your family went to Christ Church?

  Rudge : In a manner of speaking, my Dad, before he got married he was a college servant there. This old, parson, who just been sitting there most of the interview, suddenly said was I related to Bill Rudge who was a scout in staircase seven in the ninety-fifties. So, said he was my Dad, and they said I was the kind of candidate they were looking for. Mind you I did do the other stuff, like Stalin was a sweetie and Wilfred Owen was a wuss. They said I was plainly someone who thought for himself, and exactly what the college rugger team needed.

  Mrs. Lintott : Are you not pleased?

  Rudge : It's not like winning a match.

• Rudge : I did all the other stuff like Stalin was a sweetie and Wilfred Owen was a wuss.