Did you know that we don’t even have an Anthony Hopkins category here at Evil Beet? I really can’t tell if that’s bizarre because of how big Anthony Hopkins is, or if it’s completely understandable because it’s not too often that I’ve come across any gossip on this fella. But we can’t focus on the past anymore, we have to live in the now, you know? And now I’m going to share with you this lovely little interview that Anthony Hopkins did with the Guardian.
First though, did you know that Anthony Hopkins composes music? Because I didn’t, and also it’s kind of important for the interview. To get yourself in the proper mindset, here’s a piece of music that Anthony composed:
Did you love it? Now let’s get into the interview:
On being Sir Anthony Hopkins or just Tony: Just Tony. I don’t know why they gave me a knighthood – though it’s very nice of them – but I only ever use the title in the US. The Americans insist on it and get offended if I don’t.
On releasing an album of his music: I’ve been composing music all my life and if I’d been clever enough at school I would like to have gone to music college. As it was I had to settle for being an actor. It was Stella’s [his wife] idea to collect all the scores that were lying around gathering dust in drawers around the house and send them off. After they got played by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, other people took notice and finally they’ve been recorded by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
On conducting: That was originally the plan. But then I fell over in the bathroom of a hotel in Vienna and broke my ankle, so I couldn’t stand up for any length of time. It was probably just as well, though.
On the kind of conductor he would be: One who knew the names of every member of the orchestra and whose main advice was to get everyone to finish on time together. A conductor can’t be too arrogant with an orchestra and try to impose himself too much. There has to be mutual trust and respect. The same applies to film directors. I can’t stand directors who try to micro-manage everything. When it happens these days I just walk off set, saying if they don’t like the way I’m doing it they can get someone else.Life’s too short to deal with other people’s insecurities.
On moving to the U.S.: Many people talk of London as being the heart of the swinging 60s. It wasn’t for me. What I remember is the grey mist hanging over the Waterloo Road on a Wednesday afternoon. It was so depressing I moved to the land of Donald Duck.
When asked if he had to train himself not to blink as Hannibal Lecter: What a stupid question. You don’t need to train. You just keep your eyes open.
On his greatest achievement: Everything rather blends into one now. It was very nice to get an Oscar but now it just rusts and tarnishes on the sideboard near the TV. You can’t take any of it too seriously. Death comes to us all. Not long ago I was in Arlington cemetery by JFK’s grave and I thought how the great years of his presidency were just blown away like ashes. Nothing really is of any importance and there’s a peace in that.
His ideal night: Staying in and watching Mob Wives on TV. I don’t have many friends; I’m very much a loner. As a child I was very isolated and I’ve never been really close to anyone. Ask nothing, expect nothing. That’s my creed. We’re all just a bunch of sinners crashing around in the darkness.
Awesome, right? “Death comes to us all” and “we’re all just a bunch of sinners crashing around in the darkness.” I say it’s awesome because I sort of love this man, and also because he so eloquently described my feelings for the past few days. Heidi Klum and Seal are getting divorced? It doesn’t matter, because death comes to us all and nothing really is of any importance. The magical Tilda Swinton wasn’t nominated for an Oscar? Who cares? We’re all just a bunch of sinners crashing around in the darkness anyway.
I hope you guys feel as optimistic as Anthony an I do right now.