Yurovsky Quotes in Nicholas and Alexandra (1971)

Yurovsky: [the execution of the Tsar and his family has been ordered in 1918] I've kept their mail. I didn't know whether they ought to have it. Shall I give it to them now? Would it be cruel or kind? I don't know how to judge these things. I don't think anyone knows.

Tsar Nicholas II: Nagorny is innocent. He's like a child. You don't shoot children, do you? In your new world, are there penalties for innocence?

Yurovsky: Sometimes.

Yurovsky: It takes a wise judge to know who is innocent and who is guilty.

Yurovsky: No sun today?

Tsarevich Alexei: No.

Yurovsky: What a shame. I suppose you're not well enough. What's it like, being ill?

Tsarevich Alexei: What's it like having grey eyes?

Yurovsky: It can't be nice, being an invalid at your age. And they can't do anything to help one. What a pity.

Yurovsky: You don't approve of this, comrade?

Goloshchekin: No, I quite approve of terror, arson, murder, any tool that serves the revolution.

Yurovsky: [the night of the execution] Our enemies abroad spread the gossip that you and your family are liquidated. This is not true. You are alive and in good health. We will now take a picture to be able to refute the gossip. Nicholas Alexandrovitch, please move toward me a little bit. Olga, Tatiana, move a little bit closer to your mother. Maria, a little bit to the right. Doctor a little to the left. Now we can see everyone. According to the order of the Ural Soviet, you Nicholas Alexandrovitch, and your family are sentenced to death and will be shot now.

Emperor Nicholas II: What, what did you say? Repeat... God, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing...