I can't speak American dog very well. There was a lot of improvisation with Uggie - like when I put the dog on the table or sometimes I follow him, sometimes he follows me. I had a lot of treats in my pocket. We worked with Omar Von Muller, the dog trainer. It was very easy because it was a big movie.

It was always about the story rather than the character.

I want to work with a director who becomes my brother, my father, for two months. You give yourself over to that person.

I'm happiest on set because I'm not myself. I'm someone else. The moustache, the dinner jacket. It's not me. You're always this sort of double, and it's liberating. Imagine being stuck with yourself... all those doubts.

In many cases for an actor it's a comfortable position to be in. But it's harder to fail as a director.

As an actor and director, you have to take risks, even though I don't like saying that word. You can make a mistake.

I watched Gene Kelly for his smile, for his energy. Vittorio Gassman for his movement. Clark Gable for his mustache. And I watched Lassie who was happy as a dog.