Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

Jim Broadbent: Mr. Wackford Squeers

Photos 

Quotes 

• [At the assembly to see Smike flogged for running away] 

  Mr. Squeers : Is every boy here? Get back! You too Nickleby!

  [to Smike] 

  Mr. Squeers : And you. Have you anything to say?

  Smike : [Crying]  Please, sir, spare me.

  Mr. Squeers : I'll spare you. I'll flog you to within an inch of your life, and I'll spare you then.

  [Squeers strikes him once, Smike cries out in pain] 

  Nicholas : Stop! This must not go on. I will not allow it.

  Mr. Squeers : You dare to challenge my authority! Stay back!

  Nicholas : Touch him at your peril! I will not stand by and see it done.

  Mr. Squeers : You will do as you're told!

  Nicholas : If you raise the devil within me, the consequences shall fall on your own head! Once I begin, God help you!

  [Nicholas grabs the stick and starts hitting Squeers with it] 

  Mr. Squeers : Stop! No, please, wait!

  Nicholas : I do not know why, but I am going to show you what you have never shown any boy in this room... Pity.

  [Nicholas cuts down Smike and helps him out] 

• Mrs. Squeers : I hate him, that's how I like him. He's a nasty, stuck-up monkey. He needs his pride brought down.

  Mr. Squeers : I don't believe there's a woman in all England that can bring a person's pride down as quick as you can, my love.

  Mrs. Squeers : Oh, thank you Squeeries.

  [She blushes] 

• Ralph Nickleby : He was stolen, right from under you?

  Wackford Squeers : Not to be literal about it, and I'm not sure if this will dissipate your various strong emotions on the subject, but he was actually stolen right from over me.