Tea with Mussolini (1999)

Maggie Smith: Lady Hester

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lady Hester : The Germans and the Italians couldn't get rid of us. There is absolutely no reason why we should surrender to the Scots.

• Lady Hester : Americans just simply don't understand picnics!

• Lady Hester : Do look. Oh, look! Look at that ridiculous American monstrosity they've given the child. What do they call them? Knickerbocker glories. Oh! It's amazing. They can even vulgarize ice cream.

• Elsa Morganthal Strauss-Armistan : Why are you helping me? You always hated me.

  Lady Hester : Because we're creatures from two different worlds, you and I. Because I have despised you. And you have laughed at me and the Scorpioni. And because in spite of all that, you've been very kind to us and kept it a secret. And because we've both been very foolish women. We've both trusted men who've turned out to be bastards.

  Elsa Morganthal Strauss-Armistan : Vittorio.

  Lady Hester : And Mussolini.

• [during Elsa's escape] 

  Elsa Morganthal Strauss-Armistan : Are you trying to get rid of me?

  Lady Hester : Absolutely.

• Lady Hester : Arabella, you might love art, but art certainly doesn't respond to your affections.

• Georgie Rockwell : Hester, Hester, come on, chin up.

  Lady Hester : That's typically American. Keep out of trouble and tell other people to keep their chins up.

  Georgie Rockwell : Come on, you never know. I may be joining you sooner than you think.

  Lady Hester : Is that supposed to make me feel better?

• Giulia Meyer : I'm Giulia Meyer, a friend of Mrs. Morganthall.

  Lady Hester : Oh, dear. I'm so sorry.

• Lady Hester : Luca, is this true?

  Luca : Yes, Lady Hester.

• Lady Hester : Americans. They can even vulgarize ice cream.

• Lady Hester : I'd bathe in the stuff to celebrate her departure!