Reginald Fleming 'R.J.' Johnston: Words are important. Pu Yi, at 15: Why are words important? Reginald Fleming 'R.J.' Johnston: If you cannot say what you mean, your majesty, you will never mean what you say and a gentleman should always mean what he...
Reginald Fleming 'R.J.' Johnston: The Emperor has been a prisoner in his own palace since the day that he was crowned, and has remained a prisoner since he abdicated. But now he's growing up, he may wonder why he's the only person in China who may no...
Pu Yi, at 15: Who is this George Washington? Reginald Fleming 'R.J.' Johnston: A famous American, your majesty. A revolutionary general, the first American president. Pu Yi, at 15: Ah, like Mr. Lenin in Russia? Reginald Fleming 'R.J.' Johnston: Not q...
Chen Pao Shen: [as Puyi is heading off to become the Emperor of Manchukuo] If you go you betray your country! Emperor Pu Yi: [pause, at a distance] Which country?
Pu Yi, at 15: Where are your ancestors buried? Reginald Fleming 'R.J.' Johnston: In Scotland, your majesty. Pu Yi, at 15: But then, where's your skirt? In your country, men wear short skirts, do they not? Reginald Fleming 'R.J.' Johnston: No, your ma...
Pu Yi, at 15: Is it true, Mr. Johnston, that many people out there have had their heads cut off? Reginald Fleming 'R.J.' Johnston: It is true, your majesty. Many heads have been chopped off. It does stop them thinking.
Pu Yi, at 15: [in heavily accented English] I know that you know that I know that you know that that is a dialogue between Confucius and Chuang Tzu.
The Governor: [bidding farewell to Pu Yi as he is released from reform camp] You see, I will end up living in prison longer than you!
The Governor: [setting a recurring theme of imprisonment throughout the film] Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!... Open the door!
Emperor Pu Yi: This isn't a school; it's a prison. A real prison.
