Judi Dench stunned with weapons expertise

(Cover) - EN Movies - Dame Judi Dench says Sam Mendes referred to her as ‘Dirty Harry’ on the set of the new Bond movie.

The actress reprises the role of M – head of the British Secret Intelligence Service – in Skyfall.

While Judi has filmed many scenes behind a desk for previous 007 movies, Skyfall sees her more involved in the action. Director Sam was so impressed with Judi’s weapon skills, he compared her to the tough police inspector famously played by Clint Eastwood.

“I wasn’t just sitting in the MI6 office bossing him about, I had a bit more action,” she explained to UK TV show Daybreak. “I got to Shed 19 in Pinewood Studios, which is this shed you go to if you have to do stunts. It was heaven. Sam Mendes said to me, ‘You are joking one minute and the next minute you come out like Dirty Harry.’”

Judi is full of praise for filmmaker Sam.

The 77-year-old star was thrilled to team up with the Oscar-winning director on Skyfall and insists she has always been aware of his talents.

“We worked together a long, long time ago. He knew it all then. He just knew it all,” she smiled.

Judi went on to explain how she chooses her movie projects.

The star has a degenerative eye condition, so usually asks someone to explain the film’s plot rather than read the script herself.

“No, I like somebody to come and tell me the story, that is what I like best,” she added. “Because after all that is what I am going to have to do, to tell the story to the audience. So if somebody tells me the story and I think, ‘That’s a good story,’ then it’s worth telling.”