I, Claudius (1937)

Emlyn Williams: Caligula

Photos 

Quotes 

• Caligula : Grandmother, you remember my dear Uncle Claudius who prefers the society of pigs to that of the court?

  Livia : I have asked Claudius to be present at these ceremonies, and to be my guest at dinner tonight.

  Caligula : But grandmother, think of his table manners.

  Livia : Be silent, you impudent puppy. You take your uncle for a fool, but he's not. I sometimes think he pretends to be one, so as to make fools of us. Far from being a fool, he's the last decent man left alive in Rome. One can rely on him. If he makes a promise he keeps it. And when he swears to the truth, it is the truth. Am I right, Claudius?

  [Claudius tries to stammer a reply] 

  Caligula : Don't let him start talking, he might have a stroke.

• 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.

• Caligula : I now honor this noble house by appointing Incitatus, the greatest race horse in the Empire, a member of the Senate.

• 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.