You're not more than one generation from poor white trash, are you, Agent Starling?

I think the first British actor who really worked well in cinema was Albert Finney. He was a back-street Marlon Brando. He brought a great wittiness and power to the screen. The best actor we've had.

It was a challenge, to work with Oliver Stone.

I became an actor because I didn't know what else to do. Academically, I wasn't good.

A conductor can't be too arrogant with an orchestra and try to impose himself too much.

It's such a pleasant surprise when you come on set and you find someone in charge like Ken Branagh or James Ivory. You know that you're going to do a day's work and at the end of it, it's going to be good.

When you are at the right age to play Hamlet you are still to young and immature to play it. It is much later, when you get the life experience and the emotional power, that you understand Hamlet or Macbeth.