Explore Quotes by Judi Dench

Some things you know about, you know what the ingredients are - maybe not all of them. But it's up to you to put in the amount. It's up to the director to nag you until you get it right.

In the theatre you can change things ever so slightly; it's an organic thing. Whereas in film you only have that chance on the day, and you have no control over it at all.

It was good to learn so early. They're not going to be kind to you. You have to do it and get on, and then gulp down and get better.

People think you know beforehand when you win an Oscar - I can assure you you don't.

I've always loved painting, although I never show anyone what I've done. Mainly because I don't do it well. But it's like a form of visual diary for me. A way of fixing things in my mind.

In contrast, the control you have in a theatre is very attractive to me.

I don't think anybody can be told how to act. I think you can give advice. But you have to find your own way through it.

It is true that there are few plays of Shakespeare that I haven't done.

I trained as a designer, so I'm always terribly keen about what I'm going to look like.

I'd rather do a part because I want to, not because great things are expected of me.

I would hate people to think bossy is all I can do.

I work out the other bits, too, but I need to know what I look like, very early on. And then it's like a template; I'll fill that person out. If I get that out of the way, then I'm all right.

It is not good to cross the bridge before you get to it.

I couldn't be a one-woman show, since I wouldn't have anybody to bounce off from. Once you're out there, dribbling on, you have nobody to interrupt you. I love being part of a company, and telling a story.

I wanted to be a set designer when I was young.

I have no control over a film. I don't know what will be left on the cutting floor.

I just feel incredibly lucky to be employed when there are so many actors and actresses who are not employed. That's why, you know, I sometimes feel desperate, in case I'm not going to be cast again.

And then it was working with Bob Hoskins, who I had never worked with before - except radio. It was like being given a wonderful meal - full of the things you love most.

Never fall out of love with life

I like to push myself beyond the limit every now and again.

Anything that we can do to improve the lives of elderly people is welcome so far as I am concerned.