Alec Guinness quotes
Alec Guinness, a name synonymous with timeless acting and unparalleled talent, left an indelible mark on cinema. His eloquence extended beyond his performances, capturing audiences with his insightful and often profound quotes. These quotes reflect his wisdom, humor, and unique perspective on life and the craft of acting.
Early Life and Career
Born on April 2, 1914, in London, Alec Guinness was shaped by a diverse upbringing. His early years were marked by a passion for the stage, which eventually led him to the world of acting. Influenced by the vibrant theatrical culture of London, he began his journey on the stage before transitioning to film, bringing with him a depth of experience and a rich understanding of his craft.
Transition to Film
Guinness’s move from stage to screen was a natural progression. His early film roles showcased his versatility and ability to imbue characters with life. Quotes from this period often reflect his excitement and adaptation to the new medium. One notable quote from his early career is, “The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life.”
Collaboration with David Lean
Alec Guinness’s collaboration with director David Lean was a defining period in his career. Their partnership resulted in some of the most iconic films in cinema history, including “The Bridge on the River Kwai” and “Lawrence of Arabia.” Guinness’s quotes from these films resonate with strength and resilience, such as his famous line, “What have I done?” from “The Bridge on the River Kwai.”
Alec Guinness in Comedy
While often remembered for his dramatic roles, Guinness also had a flair for comedy. His performances in films like “The Ladykillers” and “Kind Hearts and Coronets” were marked by a sharp wit and impeccable timing. One of his memorable comedic quotes is, “In comedy, it’s the contrast between what you expect and what you get that’s funny.”
Role as Obi-Wan Kenobi
No discussion of Alec Guinness would be complete without mentioning his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the “Star Wars” saga. This character brought him a new level of fame and introduced him to a younger generation of fans. Iconic quotes like, “The Force will be with you, always,” have become ingrained in popular culture and continue to inspire fans around the world.
Reflections on Acting
Guinness was deeply passionate about acting, often reflecting on the nuances of the craft. He once said, “Acting is not being emotional, but being able to express emotion.” This quote encapsulates his philosophy and dedication to truly understanding and conveying the essence of his characters.
Philosophical and Personal Quotes
Beyond his professional life, Alec Guinness had profound insights into life and human nature. His quotes often reflect a deep understanding and thoughtful consideration of life’s complexities. One such quote is, “A person who is gifted sees the essential point and leaves the rest as surplus.”
Alec Guinness on Fame and Success
Despite his success, Guinness remained humble and often spoke candidly about the nature of fame. He once remarked, “Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character.” This perspective highlights his grounded nature and focus on what truly matters.
Collaboration with Other Directors
Throughout his career, Guinness worked with numerous renowned directors, each collaboration adding to his repertoire of memorable performances. His ability to adapt to different directing styles is reflected in quotes from various films. For instance, in “Dr. Zhivago,” directed by David Lean, he delivers the poignant line, “Happy men don’t volunteer. They have to be driven to it.”
Later Career and Honors
As his career progressed, Alec Guinness continued to take on significant roles, earning numerous awards and accolades. His later films, such as “Little Dorrit” and “A Passage to India,” showcased his enduring talent. From this period, a notable quote is, “Failure has a thousand explanations. Success doesn’t need one.”
Legacy and Influence
Alec Guinness’s legacy in cinema is profound. His contributions have influenced generations of actors and filmmakers. Reflecting on his impact, he once said, “An actor is supposed to be a sensitive instrument. Isaac Stern takes good care of his violin. What if everybody jumped on his violin?”
Alec Guinness’s Writing
In addition to his acting career, Guinness was also an accomplished author. His writings provide further insight into his thoughts and experiences. A memorable quote from his autobiography is, “I don’t know what else one would do if one didn’t act.”
Alec Guinness on Life
Guinness’s reflections on life often reveal his philosophical side. He had a knack for distilling complex ideas into simple, profound statements. One such quote is, “Life is a wretched gray Saturday, but it has to be lived through.”
Alec Guinness’s quotes offer a window into the mind of a remarkable actor and thinker. His words continue to inspire and resonate with audiences, reflecting the depth and breadth of his experiences. His legacy is not only preserved through his films but also through the wisdom and insights captured in his quotes.
What is Alec Guinness’s most famous quote? Alec Guinness’s most famous quote is likely from his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars”: “The Force will be with you, always.”
How did Alec Guinness view his role in Star Wars? Although Alec Guinness appreciated the success “Star Wars” brought, he often viewed it as just one part of his diverse career. He once expressed mixed feelings about the overwhelming attention it garnered.
What were Alec Guinness’s thoughts on acting? Alec Guinness believed that acting was about expressing emotion effectively rather than merely being emotional. He saw it as a craft that required dedication and understanding.
Did Alec Guinness write any books? Yes, Alec Guinness was an accomplished writer. He wrote several works, including his autobiography “Blessings in Disguise.”
How is Alec Guinness remembered today? Alec Guinness is remembered as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. His contributions to both stage and screen, along with his insightful quotes, have left a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.
Phrases
01. Acting is not being emotional, but being able to express emotion.
02. A bad play folds and is forgotten, but a bad film is forever.
03. An actor is totally vulnerable. His total personality is exposed to critical judgment.
04. My childhood was a nightmare. There was no color to it whatsoever.
05. To be a good actor, you have to be something like a criminal, to be willing to break the rules to strive for something new.
06. Success is a very fickle mistress. She comes and goes at her own whim.
07. I have no interest in Shakespeare and all that British nonsense. I just wanted to get famous and all the rest is hogwash.
08. When you put on a uniform, there are certain inhibitions that you accept.
09. A person who is gifted sees the essential point and leaves the rest as surplus.
10. It’s no good being too easily swayed by people’s opinions. You have to believe in yourself.
11. Actors are boring when they are not working. It’s the same as people in any other field. When they stop working, they become boring.
12. I suppose at heart, I never really wanted to be an actor. I was just easily led.
13. An actor is a man with an infinite capacity for taking on other lives.
14. It’s a very different thing working on a film. You don’t get up every day and get a chance to rehearse.
15. I have never been a star, never wanted to be a star. I was content to be a supporting player.
16. Acting is half shame, half glory. Shame at exhibiting yourself, glory when you can forget yourself.
17. I detest acting and I have always detested it, and I detest myself for having done it.
18. When you are older, you realize that everything else is just nothing compared to drawing the breath in and out of your body.
19. The director is the only person who knows what the film is about.
20. The best audience is one that is intelligent, well-educated, and a little drunk.
21. The nice thing about being a celebrity is that when you bore people, they think it’s their fault.
22. The job of a character actor is to bring something unexpected to the role.
23. Life is a wretched gray Saturday, but it has to be lived through.
24. I don’t know what else I could do but act. I think I might have been fairly happy as a doorkeeper in a public library.
25. One does not really feel much grief when things are becoming bad – one just becomes passive and feels only a great disgust.
26. It’s an awful thing to be a man, Mr. Lawrence, and know that you’ve failed.
27. It is a great thing to start life with a small number of really good books which are your very own.
28. I prefer full-length plays to one-act plays. A play is long enough for the audience to get acquainted with the characters.
29. I’ve seen too much of life to feel much sympathy for the young.
30. With an evening coat and a white tie, even a stockbroker can gain a reputation for being civilized.
31. I think the best thing that ever happened to me was playing that old man in Star Wars.
32. The role of Obi-Wan Kenobi marked a turning point in my career.
33. A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.
34. An actor is a sculptor who carves in snow.
35. I am a retired man and I live quietly at home.
36. As a child, I always thought I would become an artist. I never dreamt of becoming an actor.
37. I don’t have a warm personal enemy left. They’ve all died off. I miss them terribly because they helped define me.
38. The truth is that I am invincible when I am on stage, no matter how much I try to hide it.
39. I have not been afraid of growing old, or at least growing old very much.
40. One’s performance is often heightened in the presence of a good audience.
41. I can’t stand it. I’m going. I am leaving the film industry. Star Wars has given me such a contempt for it that I can’t even sit through an ordinary picture anymore.
42. I gave my best performances during the war when I was doing propaganda films.
43. A man without religion is like a horse without a bridle.
44. I find it very difficult to be funny in real life. My sense of humor tends to be rather morose.
45. I think that when you are acting, you are only trying to gain the confidence of the director.
46. I don’t have any children, but I imagine that if I did, I would try to guide them away from acting.
47. The cinema is a wonderful invention that allows us to dream in the dark.
48. I have always felt that one of the secrets of acting is to remain a child.
49. I like to believe that I’ve always had the ability to face facts and act upon them.
50. Acting is the most minor of gifts and not a very high-class way to earn a living. After all, Shirley Temple could do it at the age of four.
