What's difficult for American audiences is that they're used to a system here where you can get an actor for five years or even seven, and that is signed for at the audition. Whereas in England, no agent will give you an actor for more than three years.

I think Americans are wonderful film actors - the best in the world - but they are a very contemporary race and they look forward all the time.

Lawyers are always confident before the verdict. It's only after that they share their doubts.

When people are feeling insecure about their jobs and there are cuts to be made, it's hard to put up an argument that the film industry needs funding.

People tend to view history as if it were another planet and think the modern world was invented in 1963. I don't agree.

Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.

I'm seen as a chronicler of the class system, which I don't think is unfair.