Quotes from Kenneth Branagh

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

I've always loved pure, silly slapstick comedy. It always makes me laugh.

I went to Moscow and met some slightly powerful and scary people.

I did 'Love's Labour's Lost' in the theater and found it to be riotously funny.

I read the final Wallander novel, 'The Troubled Man,' not long after it was published.

For what it's worth, I enjoy 'Dexter,' 'Modern Family,' 'True Blood' and 'Breaking Bad.' I've enjoyed the wonderful 'The Pacific.'

Music and language are a vital element. We, as actors and directors, offer it to people who want to experience it. Sometimes the actual meaning is less important than the words themselves.

As soon as someone I don't respect tells me I can't do something, it just makes me want to do it even more.

Being Irish, I always had this love of words.

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.

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

My definition of success is control.

Music and language are a vital element. We, as actors and directors, offer it to people who want to experience it. Sometimes the actual meaning is less important than the words themselves.

There are some amazing stories from all over this country, where people's work and contribution has been acknowledged. To be part of that is an absolutely fantastic feeling.

Mozart had a tremendously fertile and creative ear for a catchy tune.

I'm very conscious of the fact the directing career has taken some odd turns. Maybe there's enough bulk where I'm now pigeonholed in the 'eclectic box.'

I'm a devotee of Stephen Sondheim. I think he's a genius.

The records - what little we know about Shakespeare, including the records of the plays in his playhouse - were often the story of how quickly they came off if they didn't work. They had to move on. They were absolutely led by box office.

When you cast someone like Natalie Portman, the character can't just be the love interest.

How many times do you read about 'the Cinderella story,' the story of the underdog, the story of the ordinary human being, often subjected to cruelty and ignorance and neglect, who somehow triumphs?

I think I do have a way of predicting - not always accurately - what is a nerve-wracking day for actors, what may be a difficult scene or a difficult moment, how small - and it may be down to one line - a thing maybe that is upsetting or undermining a performance.

I suppose that was my first bit of acting, the acquisition of an English accent. It was really just an attempt to be understood.

A brother who is unhappy is a dangerous relative to have.

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.