I only really cast people who are desperate to be in it - who were dying to be in it, whose talent I believed in and were dead ready to do the work that was necessary.

Friendship is one of the most tangible things in a world which offers fewer and fewer supports.

One of the things that makes Hamlet unique among Shakespeare's characters is his courage to face up to the darker elements of his personality.

Hamlet and Victor Frankenstein are each obsessed with death. Hamlet's whole story is a philosophical preparation for death; Victor's is an intellectual refusal to accept it.

It doesn't mean old or younger. I've learned a lot from people much younger than me as well as people much older than me. So I think it's about honesty and generosity.

We're self obsessed and mad and stupid - not that other people can't be the same way - but the extremes are kind of honest in some mad way. Anyway, I like them.

My definition of success is control.

I come from the theatre, my bones are in the theatre; it’s as natural as breathing to want to be in the theatre

The glory of 70mm is the sharpness of the image it offers.

There is some mysterious thing that goes on whereby, in the process of playing Shakespeare continuously, actors are surprised by the way the language actually acts on them.

I don't think Hamlet is mad, nor is he predisposed to be a gloomy or tragic figure.

If a man is to live, he must be all alive, body, soul, mind, heart, spirit.

Give someone everything you can think of, the wings to fly and the roots to stay. If they chose none of these hold the door open for them with a smile

There are two seasons in Scotland: June and Winter.

It really bothers me when a guy is controlling. Dont just say Im picking the place - ask me where I want to go!

The very special place that a language occupies among institutions is undeniable, but there is much more to be said-, a comparison would tend rather to bring out the differences.

My work on human capital began with an effort to calculate both private and social rates of return to men, women, blacks, and other groups from investments in different levels of education.

Fastidious taste makes enjoyment a struggle.

I think you're a little more fragile when you're younger.

In the human race today, you came last.

I hate trends, but I love fashion.