Quotes from Christopher Lee


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To be a legend, you've either got to be dead or excessively old!


There is a dark side in all of us. And for us 'bad' people, the bad side dominates. I think there is a great sadness in villains, and I have tried to put that across. We cannot stop ourselves doing what we are doing.


As far as I am concerned, Don Quixote is the most metal fictional character that I know. Single handed, he is trying to change the world, regardless of any personal consequences.


Ian Fleming was my cousin, and he wanted me to play Dr. No, but by the time he got around to remembering to tell the producers, they'd already cast someone else. Spilt milk!


The secret to a long marriage in the film industry? Marry someone wonderful, as I did. And always have her come along on location.


The saddest country I went to was Romania, years ago, during Ceausescu's rule.


Every actor has to make terrible films from time to time, but the trick is never to be terrible in them.


When the Second World War finished, I was 23, and already I had seen enough horror to last me a lifetime. I'd seen dreadful, dreadful things, without saying a word. So seeing horror depicted on film doesn't affect me much.


When I was very young - around the age of nine - my family used to go to a house in Somerset that my stepfather rented every summer. There was fishing, lakes and riding.


The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people: to present them with something they didn't expect.


I've worked with Tim Burton five times, and it's just like being part of a family; life doesn't get much better than that.


One of the first things a British visitor to Southern California discovers is that he must have a car. Freeways. Bad public transport. I took driving lessons.


My favourite country is Finland because once you get to a certain point, you can drive for hours without seeing a single person. I love peace and quiet - something I don't get very often.


I'm much softer than people think. I don't present to the world an emotional face. I'm pretty good at self-control, but I am easily moved.


What's really important for me is, as an old man, I'm known by my own generation and the next generation know me, too.


I turn to the 'Telegraph's' obituaries page with trepidation.


I don't really like long flights any more - I find them too tiring. Flying always involves the same things these days - huge crowds at airports, waiting around, late take-offs, weather problems, and so on. I don't really enjoy travelling. I don't imagine anyone does except young children.


'The Impossible Dream' is, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever written. Here is a man, an old man, a very old man full of daring, bravery, courage, determination, romanticism and dreams.


I associate heavy metal with fantasy because of the tremendous power that the music delivers.


We don't always get the kind of work we want, but we always have a choice of whether to do it with good grace or not.