Crisis (1950)

José Ferrer: Raoul Farrago

Quotes 

• Raoul Farrago : At least permit me to thank you. You have done a great service not only to me but to the people of my country.

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : I only saved your life I didn't vote for you.

  Raoul Farrago : Neither did they.

  [smiling] 

• [after a rehearsal for Farrago's surgery] 

  Raoul Farrago : Well, doctor, did the operation go well?

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : Fine. You just died.

• [Farago is about to be operated by Eugene] 

  Raoul Farrago : Doctor, do many people die in an operation like this?

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : Under the best conditions, about 12 percent. These are not the best conditions.

  Raoul Farrago : You don't like me, do you?

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : I try to regard my patients impersonally.

  Raoul Farrago : Can you?

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : No.

• Raoul Farrago : Do you speak Spanish?

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : A few words: I had to learn how to say, "How much does it cost?" "That's too much," "Where's the washroom?" and "Thank you."

  Raoul Farrago : [chuckles]  A practical beginning. I have made a law: Everybody must learn to speak English. And why?... Because the Americans do not wish to learn Spanish. So, if the money will not come to the mountain, the mountain will come to the money... You do not like my little joke?

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : No.

  Raoul Farrago : Ah, well, I shall think of some better ones during dinner.

• Raoul Farrago : [to Dr. Ferguson, as he enters Farrago's chambers]  This is my Chief of Staff, General Valdini.

  General Valdini : [cordially greets Dr. Ferguson]  A pleasure and an honor, doctor.

  Raoul Farrago : The general was just explaining how my army, equipped with tanks and machine guns, cannot destroy a few revolutionaries equipped with machetes and ancient rifles. Are you interested in tactics, doctor?

  Raoul Farrago : [Dr. Ferguson remains silent; Farrago continues]  Well, it seems the enemy is attacking us from the rear. Perhaps, General, if our soldiers turned their faces to the enemy, there would be less "rear" to attack!

• General Valdini : I only suggest a military truce.

  Raoul Farrago : [In a state of acute agitation]  It is never military to retreat. Do you suppose I won these decorations by retreating?

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : [to Farrago, sternly]  Sit down, please.

  Raoul Farrago : He says that my soldiers rebel against me. Our supply lines are cut. Students riot. People rise up against me. People! People do as *guns* tell them!

  Senora Isabel Farrago : Do as the doctor says, *please*!

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : [to Dr. Nierra]  Sodium numinal.

  Dr. Eugene Norland Ferguson : [to Farrago]  Lie here. You need rest.

  Raoul Farrago : Rest? We're in a civil war, you understand. This is worse - far worse - than any other kind of war. Nothing destroys so much as civil war. Now, what is the answer to civil war? What stops it? Compromise? No! Truce? No! To give in? Never! The only answer is war. *Real* war, against an outside country. *Any* country. Everybody must come to the defense of his own country. Patriotism is a great weapon. Brother stops fighting brother when a stranger attacks. With one masterstroke we end this stupid civil war, we become valiant, courageous, defenders of our soil... patriots!

  Raoul Farrago : [starting to break down]  Doctor, I'm sick!