This Land Is Mine (1943)

Philip Merivale: Professor Sorel

Photos 

Quotes 

• Professor Sorel : It's very difficult surgical operation. Cut the heart out without killing the patient. The history of our country, however, is a very tough old patient, and we'll do the best we can.

• Professor Sorel : These books must be burnt. Very well then we'll just burn them. We can't resist physically, but morally, within us, we can resist. We contain those books. We contain truth. They can't destroy the truth without destroying each and every one of us. We can keep the truth alive if the children believe in us and follow our example.

• Professor Sorel : Children like to follow a leader, and there are two kinds of leaders today. We seem weak - we have no weapons, we don't march, except to air raid shelters. And our heroes are called are called criminals and shot against walls. The other leaders have guns, tanks, parades, uniforms. They teach violence, self-love, vanity, everything that appeals to the unformed minds of children. And their criminals are called heroes.

• Professor Sorel : We will win, Lory, or maybe we'll get shot. But every one of us they execute wins a battle for our cause because he dies a hero.

• Mayor Henry Manville : These books must be burned, Professor Sorel.

  Professor Sorel : By your order, Mr Mayor? Or, by order of the enemy?

  Mayor Henry Manville : ...Voltaire. Plato. "The Republic." My dear friend, we have to be careful about that word: Republic.

• Professor Sorel : I thought you were a confirmed bachelor, like me.