The History Boys (2006)
Russell Tovey: Rudge
Photos
Quotes
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[at a mock interview for entrance to an Oxford college]
Tom Irwin : Um, Rudge...
Mrs. Lintott : Now. How do you define history Mr. Rudge?
Rudge : Can I speak freely, Miss? Without being hit?
Mrs. Lintott : I will protect you.
Rudge : How do I define history? It's just one fuckin' thing after another.
[raucous laughter from the other students, but the interview board is appalled]
Mrs. Lintott : I see. And why do you want to come to Christ Church?
Rudge : It's the one I thought I might get into.
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Headmaster : Ah, Irwin! Splendid news!
[pops the cork of a bottle of champagne]
Headmaster : Splendid news! Posner a scholarship! Dakin an exhibition! And places for everybody else!
[cops a feel of Fiona's bum]
Headmaster : It's... it's more then one could have ever hoped for! Irwin you are to be congratulated! A remarkable achievement! Oh and, you too, you too Dorothy of course, you, ah, laid the foundation.
Mrs. Lintott : Not Rudge headmaster.
Headmaster : Not Rudge. Oh, dear.
Tom Irwin : He said nothing, the others have all had letters.
Headmaster : There's always an outside chance. It's a pity, it would have been good to have a clean swoop.
[Rudge appears at the door, but only seen by Mrs. Lintott]
Headmaster : Still as I've said all along, you can't polish a turd.
Mrs. Lintott : [Rudge leaves and Mrs. Lintott takes after him down the hallway] Rudge!
[Rudge stops and turns around]
Mrs. Lintott : You haven't heard from Oxford?
[Rudge shakes his head]
Mrs. Lintott : Perhaps you'll hear tomorrow.
Rudge : Why should I? They told me when I was there.
Mrs. Lintott : I'm sorry.
Rudge : What for? I got in.
Mrs. Lintott : How come?
Rudge : How come they told me, or how come they took a thick sod like me?... I had family connections.
Mrs. Lintott : [incredulously] Somebody in your family went to Christ Church?
Rudge : In a manner of speaking, my Dad, before he got married he was a college servant there. This old, parson, who just been sitting there most of the interview, suddenly said was I related to Bill Rudge who was a scout in staircase seven in the ninety-fifties. So, said he was my Dad, and they said I was the kind of candidate they were looking for. Mind you I did do the other stuff, like Stalin was a sweetie and Wilfred Owen was a wuss. They said I was plainly someone who thought for himself, and exactly what the college rugger team needed.
Mrs. Lintott : Are you not pleased?
Rudge : It's not like winning a match.
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Rudge : I did all the other stuff like Stalin was a sweetie and Wilfred Owen was a wuss.