The offers I get are for grandfathers, uncles – and they often die very quickly in the script. – Max von Sydow
Playing the role of Christ was like being in a prison. It was the hardest part I’ve ever had to play in my life. I couldn’t smoke or drink in public. I couldn’t. – Max von Sydow
Italians are great improvisers. If something unforeseen happens, they throw up their hands, and they adjust. – Max von Sydow
During my military service, I performed a sketch in which I played a flea called Max. So when critics kept misspelling my name, I decided to change it and thought, ‘Ah! Max!’ – Max von Sydow
My parents were brought up in families which believed theatre people weren’t to be trusted. But they were nice people. – Max von Sydow
I began imagining scenes in public which some drunk would come up to me and slap me in the face. Nothing like that ever happened, but I often wonder if I would have turned the other cheek. – Max von Sydow
Bergman was courageous in choosing people to do things that they themselves might not expect to play. – Max von Sydow
There are casting directors with lots of imagination, but also some with not as much imagination. – Max von Sydow
I don’t believe in devils. Indifference and misunderstandings can create evil situations. Most of the time, people who appear to be evil are really victims of evil deeds. – Max von Sydow
You cannot study acting in books. Do it, do it, do it. And watch good actors. See what they are doing and how they are doing it. You have to practically participate, I think, in order to develop yourself. – Max von Sydow
It’s very difficult being an actor and being away for a lot of time, but my sons haven’t complained too much too often. – Max von Sydow
What is important, I think, is to reach as many people as you can and do it as well as you can. Reach them and inspire them or amuse them, or maybe in some odd moments help them to discover something they hadn’t thought of before. – Max von Sydow
The most difficult part of playing Christ was that I had to keep up the image around the clock. As soon as the picture finished, I returned home to Sweden and tried to find my old self. It took six months to get back to normal. – Max von Sydow