Theatre Night (TV Series)

Arms and the Man (1989)

Patrick Ryecart: Sergius Seranoff

Quotes 

• Sergius : Louka, do you know what the higher love is?

  Louka - maid : No, sir.

  Sergius : Very fatiguing thing to keep up for any length of time, Louka. One feels the need of some relief after it.

• Sergius : Captain Bluntschli!

  Bluntschli : Eh?

  Sergius : You have deceived me. You are my rival. I brook no rivals. At six o'clock I shall be in the drilling-ground on the Klissoura road, alone, on horseback, with my sabre. Do you understand?

  Bluntschli : Oh, thank you, that's a cavalry man's proposal. I'm in the artillery, and I have the choice of weapons. If I go, I shall take a machine gun. And there shall be no mistake about the cartridges this time.

• Sergius : Bluntschli, I have allowed you to call me a blockhead. You may now call me a coward as well. I refuse to fight you. Do you know why?

  Bluntschli : No, but it doesn't matter. I didn't ask the reason when you cried on and I don't ask the reason now that you cry off. I'm a professional soldier. I fight when I have to and am very glad to get out of it when I haven't to. You're only an amateur; you think fighting's an amusement.

  Sergius : You shall hear the reason all the same, my professional. The reason is that it takes two men - real men - men of heart, blood and honor - to make a genuine combat. I could no more fight with you than I could make love to an ugly woman. You've no magnetism: you're not a man, you're a machine.

  Bluntschli : [apologetically]  Quite true, quite true. I always was that sort of chap. I'm very sorry.

• Sergius : [to Raina]  Tiger cat!

  Raina : [to Bluntschli]  You hear this man calling me names, Captain Bluntschli?

  Bluntschli : What else can he do, dear lady? He must defend himself somehow.

• [last lines] 

  Sergius : [of Bluntschli]  What a man! Is he a man?