The Nelson Affair (1973)

Michael Jayston: Captain Hardy

Quotes 

• Master George Matcham : Perhaps I expect a perfect hero to be a perfect saint.

  Capt. Hardy : That we all do. Naw! England has no need of a saint at this hour of her history, Master Matcham, but she has very dire need of a hero.

• Master George Matcham : But you must know him as well as anyone alive, then.

  Capt. Hardy : Yes, I suppose I do. Well, let's say I know the man at sea. The man ashore - that seems a different matter.

• Capt. Hardy : Your uncle is great both in what he is and what he does. How could he have done what he has done without being what he is?

  Master George Matcham : You mean, win battles?

  Capt. Hardy : I mean far more than winning battles. Every schoolboy knows exactly how the Nile and Copenhagen were won. But does every schoolboy know what they were won with?

• Capt. Hardy : I never cared for French wine. I prefer rum. Wouldn't you know it, there isn't any. What kind of an admiral's lady is it that doesn't keep rum? Nothing but foreign muck. Oh, here's something - gin. A whore's drink. In the circumstances, quite suitable, don't you think?