The Queen (2006)
Michael Sheen: Tony Blair
Photos
Quotes
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Alastair Campbell : They, er, sent a copy of the Queen's speech. Might want to scrape the frost off it first... Oh, I phoned them with a couple of suggestions, to make it sound like it came from a human being.
Tony Blair : Yeah, all right, Alastair.
Alastair Campbell : Well, at least the old bat's finally agreed to visit Diana's coffin.
Tony Blair : You know, when you get it wrong, you really get it wrong! That woman has given her whole life in service to her people. Fifty years doing a job SHE never wanted! A job she watched kill her father. She's executed it with honor, dignity, and, as far as I can tell, without a single blemish, and now we're all baying for her blood! All because she's struggling to lead the world in mourning for someone who... who threw everything she offered back in her face. And who, for the last few years, seemed committed 24/7 to destroying everything she holds most dear!
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HM Queen Elizabeth II : Have we shown you how to start a nuclear war yet?
Tony Blair : Er, no.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : First thing we do, apparently, then we take away your passport and spend the rest of our time sending you around the world.
Tony Blair : You obviously know my job better than I do.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes well, you are my tenth Prime Minister, Mr Blair. My first, of course, was Winston Churchill, he sat in your chair in a frock coat and top hat. And he was kind enough to give a shy young girl like me quite an education.
Tony Blair : I can imagine.
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HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, really? You don't think that what affection people once had for m... for this 'institution' has been diminished?
Tony Blair : No, not at all. You are more respected now than ever.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : I gather some of your closest advisors were less fulsome in their support.
Tony Blair : One or two... But as a leader, I could never have added my voice to that chorus.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Because you saw all those headlines and you thought: 'One day that might happen to me'...
Tony Blair : Oh... er...
HM Queen Elizabeth II : ...and it will, Mr. Blair. Quite suddenly and without warning... So, shall we get on with the business in hand?
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Tony Blair : Will someone please save these people from themselves! Fine. I'll call Balmoral. Because as Prime Minister, I really got nothing better to do.
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HM Queen Elizabeth II : Prime Minister.
Tony Blair : Good morning, Your Majesty. Sorry to disturb, but I was just wondering whether you'd seen any of today's papers?
HM Queen Elizabeth II : We've managed to look at one or two, yes.
Tony Blair : In which case my... next question would be whether you felt some kind of response...
[Queen Elizabeth puts Blair on speakerphone]
Tony Blair : ...might be necessary?
HM Queen Elizabeth II : No. I believe a few over-eager editors are doing their best to sell newspapers. It would be a mistake to dance to their tune.
Tony Blair : Under normal circumstances I would agree. But... well, my advisors... have been taking the temperature among people on the streets... and, well, the information I'm getting is that the mood is quite delicate.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : So, what would you suggest, Prime Minister - some kind of a statement?
Tony Blair : No, ma'am. I believe the moment for statements has passed. I would suggest flying the flag at half-mast above Buckingham Palace... and... coming down to London at the earliest opportunity. It would be a great comfort to your people... and would help them with their grief.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : [Picks up the receiver] THEIR grief? If you imagine I'm going to drop everything and come down to London before I attend to my grandchildren who've just lost their mother... then you're mistaken. I doubt there is anyone who knows the British people more than I do, Mr. Blair, nor who has greater faith in their wisdom and judgement. And it is my belief that they will any moment reject this... this "mood", which is being stirred up by the press, in favor of a period of restrained grief, and sober, private mourning. That's the way we do things in this country, quietly, with dignity. That's what the rest of the world has always admired us for.
Tony Blair : If that's your decision, ma'am, of course the government will support it. Let's keep in touch.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : [Curtly] Yes. Let's.
[the Queen slams down the phone]
Prince Philip : Bloody fool! And now your tea's gone cold.
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[Cherie has just offered a shallow curtsy. The Queen looks at her and smiles]
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Mrs. Blair, lovely to see you, and congratulations.
[the Queen shakes Cherie's hand]
HM Queen Elizabeth II : You must be very proud, and exhausted, I imagine. Where will you be spending the summer?
Cherie Blair : Erm, France.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, lovely.
Tony Blair : You'll be in Balmoral?
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, yes, I can't wait. It's such a wonderful place. My great-great-grandmother Victoria once said 'Balmoral always seems to breathe peace and make one forget the world and its sad turmoils'.
Robin Janvrin : [comes into room] Your Majesty?
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, excuse me.
[Robin whispers something inaudible into the Queen's ear]
HM Queen Elizabeth II : [to Tony and Cherie] I'm so sorry, we're going to have to leave it there.
[she shakes both their hands and they exit without showing their backs]
HM Queen Elizabeth II : [to Robin] It wasn't too short was it? Fifteen minutes, one doesn't want to be rude.
Robin Janvrin : No ma'am.
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Cherie Blair : I don't know why I'm surprised. At the end of the day, all Labour Prime Ministers go ga-ga for The Queen.
Tony Blair : [staring intently at the TV screen watching The Queen's speech] What?
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Alastair Campbell : You going to speak to the Queen?
Tony Blair : Yep.
Alastair Campbell : Ask her if SHE greased the brakes.
Tony Blair : Now, now.
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[last lines]
HM Queen Elizabeth II : So tell me, Mr. Blair, what might we expect from your first parliament?
Tony Blair : Well, ma'am, top of the list is education reform. We want to radically reduce classroom sizes.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, yes. Yes, we must.
Tony Blair : Create a much lower teacher-pupil ratio.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, it will be difficult to achieve...
[trailing off, inaudible]
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Tony Blair : [after getting off the phone with Lord Airlie] Precedent? Where do they find these people?
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Cherie Blair : [impersonating the Queen] Thank you so much for coming, now fuck off!
Tony Blair : I know, what was all that about?
Cherie Blair : God knows, Diana, whatever it is it'll be something to do with Diana.
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Prince Charles : They stood up, as we drove past, in cafes, in restaurants, removed their hats. This was Paris, one of the busiest cities in the world, and you could hear a pin drop.
Tony Blair : I imagine it will be the same here.
Prince Charles : The Palace would still prefer to see this as a private funeral. What are your feelings on that?
Tony Blair : I - I think that'll present us with difficulties.
Prince Charles : So do I. My mother, The Queen, comes from a generation of best equipped. She grew up in the war. I think what we need, what this country needs, is a more modern perspective. If you follow.
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Tony Blair : They screwed up her life, let's hope they don't screw up her death.
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Cherie Blair : Maybe this time people will finally have seen them for what they actually are.
Tony Blair : Which is?
Cherie Blair : A bunch of free loading, emotionally retarded, nutters!
Tony Blair : That's just absurd.
Cherie Blair : Why? They have a ludicrous cocoon of privilege and wealth...
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Cherie Blair : Don't you think she deserves it? Sitting up there on her 40,000 acres.
Tony Blair : Yeah, but allowing her to hang herself, might not be in our best interest either. Besides, I think there's something ugly, about the way everyone started to bully her.
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Robin Janvrin : I understand how difficult her behaviour must seem to you. How unhelpful. But, try to see it from her perspective. She's been brought up to believe it's God's will. She is who she is.
Tony Blair : I think we should leave God out of it.
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HM Queen Elizabeth II : I can see that the world has changed and one must - modernize.
Tony Blair : Well, perhaps that's where I can help.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, don't get ahead of yourself, Prime Minister, and remember, I am the one supposed to be advising you.
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Tony Blair : Funny, I'm actually rather nervous.
Cherie Blair : Why? You've met her often enough before.
Tony Blair : I know, but never one to one and never as Prime Minister.
Cherie Blair : Well, just remember, you're a man that's just been elected by the whole nation.
Tony Blair : But, she's still, you know: The Queen.
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Lord Airlie : Good afternoon, Prime Minister, it's my job to organize all the ceremonial events. There is simply no precedent for the funeral of an ex-HRH.
Tony Blair : Perhaps we shall plan for any contingency.
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HM Queen Elizabeth II : Oh, look. I do love this time of day. Shall we walk, while there is still light? You know the clocks go back next week, it will be dark before five. I do hope you're a walker?
Tony Blair : I am.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Good. I always think these meetings have a far greater chance of success if the Prime Minister is a walker.
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Equerry : When you're in the presence, at no point must you show your back.
Tony Blair : The presence?
Equerry : Yes, sir. That's what it's called, when you're in Her Majesty's company.
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Tony Blair : You obviously know my job better than I do.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Well, you are my tenth prime minister, Mr. Blair. My first, of course, was Winston Churchill. He sat in your chair, in a frock coat and top hat. He was kind enough to give a shy young girl like me quite an education.
Tony Blair : I can imagine.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : With time, one has hopefully added experience to that education, and a little wisdom, better enabling us to execute our constitutional responsibility, to advise, guide, and warn the government of the day.
Tony Blair : Advice which I look forward to receiving.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : Yes, we'll save that for our weekly meetings. If there's nothing else, I believe we have some business to attend to.
Tony Blair : Of course. Your majesty, my party has won the election, so now I come to you to ask your permission to form a government.
HM Queen Elizabeth II : No, Mr. Blair. Mr. Blair, I ask the question. The duty falls upon me, as your sovereign, to invite you to become prime minister, and to form a government in my name. And if you agree, the custom is to say yes.
Tony Blair : Yes.
