The Last Emperor 1987 quotes

Perhaps you think we're here to teach men to lie in a new way? [Puyi continues working as if trying to ignore the Governor] Why did you sign every accusation made against you? I didn't stop you from killing yourself to see you like this! Someone who will sign anything to please his enemies... to please me! [Puyi continues working] You knew about a lot of things in Manchukuo... even the secret agreements. But you couldn't possibly have known about the Japanese biological warfare experiments in Harbin! Could you? So why did you sign these papers?

I was responsible for everything.

You are responsible for what you do! All your life you thought you were better than everyone else. Now you think you're the worst of all!

Why can you not leave me alone? You saved my life to make me a puppet in your own play. You saved me because I am useful to you.

Is that so terrible? To be useful?

Who is this George Washington?

Reginald Johnston

A famous American, Your Majesty. A revolutionary general, the first American president.

Ah, like Mr. Lenin in Russia?
Reginald Johnston: Not quite.

Does he have a car?

Reginald Johnston

He lived a long time ago, Your Majesty.

I want a car.

After a few years, the tiny republic had become as corrupt as the old Empire. It fell quickly into the hands of ambitious generals and corrupt bureaucrats.

Anything Western was good. Especially Wrigley's chewing gum, Bayer aspirin, and cars.

The Americans believe everyone is born good. You must be judged.

Reginald Johnston

The Emperor has been a prisoner in his own palace since the day that he was crowned, and has remained a prisoner since he abdicated. But now he's growing up, he may wonder why he's the only person in China who may not walk out of his own front door. I think the Emperor is the loneliest boy on Earth.

The Forbidden City had become a theater without an audience. So, why did the actors remain on the stage?

This isn't a school; it's a prison. A real prison.

Your salvation will lie entirely in the attitude you take!