I, Claudius (1937)

Charles Laughton: Claudius

Photos 

Quotes 

• Claudius : I only limp with my tongue, and stutter with my leg. Nature never quite finished me.

• Claudius : Caligula was murdered. He ruled by force, but a state such as I hope to establish cannot condone murder. For violence is an enemy to justice. And in the name of justice, I call upon the murderers of Caligula to step forward.

  Capt. of Caligula's Guard : We killed a tyrant, Caesar.

  Claudius : But you broke your solemn oaths as Roman soldiers, to protect your Emperor. You didn't strike for your country. You killed in the name of your own private grudges. I was with you Cassius, when the tyrant kicked you, but you were not content with one single murder. You caused the death of Caliguls'a wife and of hundreds at the palace. What fate do you consider you deserve?

  Capt. of Caligula's Guard : Death, Claudius.

  Claudius : For that answer, I will take your families under my protection. But for the crime of murder, I must sentence you Cassius, and you Lupus, to - death. I will call upon the army to have that sentence executed.

• Caligula : How wonderful to see you again, dear Uncle Claudius. I thought you were on your farm.

  Claudius : I was or-or-

  Caligula : You were or-or

  Claudius : Ordered to attend.

  Caligula : I hear you're teaching your pigs to read. Is that true?

  Claudius : My pigs? Why?

  Caligula : So as to have readers for all the Roman histories you write.

• Claudius : It's good to see y-you're better, Caesar.

  Caligula : I haven't been ill. I'm simply undergoing a change. It's the most momentous transformation that any human being has ever achieved. A prophecy is about to be fulfilled. I am being - reborn.

  Claudius : I hope your condition is not t-t-too painful.

  Caligula : It is painful to be one's own mother. Well, idiot, can't you see any change in me?

  Claudius : I was blind not to see it instantly. You're no longer human. May I be the first to worship you, as a g-g-g-god?

  Caligula : It took you a long time to perceive that I'm no longer human.