Young Catherine (1991 TV Movie)

Maximilian Schell: Frederick the Great

Quotes 

• [Grand Duke Peter III is ill] 

  Frederick the Great : Say that prayers are being offered in every church in Prussia.

  Prussian Ambassador : With respect, Sire, I don't see that would do much good.

  Frederick the Great : If nothing else, it will show her how fast our sources of information are. You're doing good work, Ernst.

  Prussian Ambassador : Thank you, sire. I will leave within the hour.

  Frederick the Great : Don't drink too much vodka there.

  Prussian Ambassador : I'll try.

• Frederick the Great : This frail, young slip of a girl has won herself an empire, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Against all the odds, that is what she has done.

• Johanna : She has a gown for the banquet tonight and she wanted to try it on.

  Frederick the Great : Ah, clothes. That's all you women ever think about. I'm right. I'm right, Christian. I don't care if she's wearing a sheet, I want to see her!

• Frederick the Great : Accept the gift from the hand of the loves and graces. A king's offering. Fit for a queen.

  Catherine : Out of the strong came full sweetness.

  Frederick the Great : Who wrote that? Voltaire? Shakespeare? Or me?

  Catherine : It comes from the Bible, sir.

  Frederick the Great : Oh. Bravo!

• Frederick the Great : Peter is of German stock. He is heir to the throne of Russia. And, after all, he is a only relative, a only nephew. To Peter, for some reason, I'm sort of a hero. He likes all things Prussian.