War & Peace (TV Series)

Madness (1972)

Rupert Davies: Count Rostov

Quotes 

• Maria Dmitrievna : Things are blowing up again with that fellow, what's his name, Bonaparte.

  Count Rostov : Oh, it'll blow over, believe me.

  Maria Dmitrievna : It'll blow over when they put an end to him, and not before.

• Maria Dmitrievna : Nikolai didn't come to see me on his last leave.

  Count Rostov : Well, you know what young men are.

  Maria Dmitrievna : Yes, I know what they are and I know what they ought to be, which is more to the point. Has he come back?

  Count Rostov : Yes, to wind up his affairs. He's leaving the army.

  Maria Dmitrievna : And so he should. Wasting his time playing at soldiers. Stuff and nonsense. He ought to be doing men's work, not boys'.

• Maria Dmitrievna : I went yesterday to see Prince Bolkonsky.

  Count Rostov : Did he receive you?

  Maria Dmitrievna : Yes, and I had a talk with him, if you can call it that. He saw fit to scream at me. But I'm not easily shouted down. I said what I had to say.

  Count Rostov : And he? What did he say?

  Maria Dmitrievna : He said a great many things I choose not to remember, and other things I chose not to hear. But you know, he's very old, he's become a bit of a fool, so what's the use of talking?

• Maria Dmitrievna : I think you should take her to see him.

  Count Rostov : You think?

  Maria Dmitrievna : Well, you know that the father is against the marriage. Of course, Prince Andrei is not a child, and he can do without him, but it's not nice to go into a family against the will of the father.

  Natasha Rostova : I think I should wait for Andrei to return.

  Maria Dmitrievna : Oh, but why wait? How nice for him when he comes back, to find that you already know them and that they like you.

  Natasha Rostova : They may not.

  Maria Dmitrievna : Oh, you're a clever girl. You'll manage.

  Natasha Rostova : I don't see why I should have to, Aunt. I'm not marrying them.

  Maria Dmitrievna : Oh, listen to her. High and mighty. You'll use your sense, girl, and make the effort. No need to look for trouble where there may be none.