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Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life
With over 100 movies and two Academy Awards to his credit over six decades, Hollywood legend Michael Caine shares the wisdom, stories, insight, and skills that life has taught him in his remarkable career--and now his 85th year.
One of our best-loved actors Michael Caine has starred in a huge range of films from the classic movies Alfie, Zulu, and The Italian Job (the inspiration for the book title) to the Hollywood blockbusting Dark Knight trilogy, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Cider House Rules. Caine has excelled in every kind of role--with a skill that's made it look easy.
He knows what success takes--he's made it to the pinnacle of his profession from humble origins. But as he says, "Small parts can lead to big things. And if you keep doing things right, the stars will align when you least expect it." Now in his 85th year--and more beloved than ever--he wants to share everything he's learned.
With brilliant new insight into his life and work and showcasing his wonderful gift for storytelling, Blowing the Bloody Doors Off is Caine at his wise and entertaining best.
One of our best-loved actors Michael Caine has starred in a huge range of films from the classic movies Alfie, Zulu, and The Italian Job (the inspiration for the book title) to the Hollywood blockbusting Dark Knight trilogy, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Cider House Rules. Caine has excelled in every kind of role--with a skill that's made it look easy.
He knows what success takes--he's made it to the pinnacle of his profession from humble origins. But as he says, "Small parts can lead to big things. And if you keep doing things right, the stars will align when you least expect it." Now in his 85th year--and more beloved than ever--he wants to share everything he's learned.
With brilliant new insight into his life and work and showcasing his wonderful gift for storytelling, Blowing the Bloody Doors Off is Caine at his wise and entertaining best.
6 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 18, 2018
402 people are currently reading
2472 people want to read
About the author
Michael Caine
39 books169 followersSir Michael Caine, CBE was born Maurice Joseph Micklewaite near Elephant and Castle in South London. His first major starring roles, beginning in the 1960s, include 'Zulu,' 'The Ipcress File,' and 'Alfie.' He is a major Hollywood film star and two-time Academy Award winner with a career spanning over sixty years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 698 reviews
August 7, 2022
Wow, this was such a delightful read. This memoir was a combination of nostalgic storytelling and a guide to life. This was more than just the life of an amazing actor but a self-help counseling session all in one. I could hear Michael Caine's rich Cockney accent as I read.
Overall Michael Caine's message was: give 100% effort in whatever you do, use difficulty and find something positive, focus on the good in any bad situation, don't live in the past, and strive to do what you love.
This was full of insight and deep nostalgia with a lesson. This book is for you if want someone who gives insight and can maybe help you along the way too. I'd definitely recommend it if you like personal individual accounts. Thanks!
Overall Michael Caine's message was: give 100% effort in whatever you do, use difficulty and find something positive, focus on the good in any bad situation, don't live in the past, and strive to do what you love.
This was full of insight and deep nostalgia with a lesson. This book is for you if want someone who gives insight and can maybe help you along the way too. I'd definitely recommend it if you like personal individual accounts. Thanks!
May 20, 2019
This was an absolutely charming memoir by actor Michael Caine. I listened to this on audio, which Michael read himself, and it was a delight. I especially enjoyed his stories of how he got his start acting and the life lessons he's learned along the way.
My favorite story in the book was Michael's first meeting with writer/director Christopher Nolan, who showed up at his house on a Sunday morning, unannounced, with a movie script. Michael had seen Nolan's movie "Memento," and assumed this new film would also be something low-budget.
Michael comes across as a hard-working, decent chap who feels grateful to have had such good fortune in his career and with his family. I was looking for something pleasant and this was a perfect audiobook for that.
Meaningful Passage
"I have been enormously lucky. My seemingly impossible dreams have really come true. I have done everything I wanted to do, been everywhere I wanted to go and met everyone I have ever wanted to meet. But if I hadn't been lucky, I would have kept going anyway, doing something I loved and trying to do it as well as I possibly could. In the end if I could give you one bit of advice, it would be that: find what you love, and do it as well as you can. Pursue your dream and, even if you never catch it, you'll enjoy the chase."
My favorite story in the book was Michael's first meeting with writer/director Christopher Nolan, who showed up at his house on a Sunday morning, unannounced, with a movie script. Michael had seen Nolan's movie "Memento," and assumed this new film would also be something low-budget.
Chris explained the script and why he wanted me in the movie. This was not going to be a small arty intellectual piece. Chris was making a series of huge Hollywood blockbusters: a trilogy of Batman movies. "Who do you want me to play in it?" I asked. In my head I had already imagined and then quickly written off Batman, but I thought perhaps I could be a great villain.
"The butler," said Chris.
I hid my disappointment and smiled. "The butler? What do I say? 'Dinner is served'?"
Chris smiled back. "He's not that kind of butler," he said. "Batman is an orphan and the butler is a father to him. It's a very important role."
"OK. Well, leave me the script and I'll read it and send it back to you tomorrow."
"No," said Chris in what I would come to recognise as his hallmark quiet-but-authoritative manner. "I want you to read it now. I'll wait until you're done and you can tell me yes or no."
"Oh, OK," I said. Obediently I went to my office and read it. And loved it: Alfred Pennyworth, the butler, was a beautifully written role and the whole thing was just fabulous ... Thank goodness I'd trained myself to say yes. There I was, at the age of seventy-one, cast in one of the greatest movie trilogies ever made and about to kick off ten years of movie-making heaven.
Michael comes across as a hard-working, decent chap who feels grateful to have had such good fortune in his career and with his family. I was looking for something pleasant and this was a perfect audiobook for that.
Meaningful Passage
"I have been enormously lucky. My seemingly impossible dreams have really come true. I have done everything I wanted to do, been everywhere I wanted to go and met everyone I have ever wanted to meet. But if I hadn't been lucky, I would have kept going anyway, doing something I loved and trying to do it as well as I possibly could. In the end if I could give you one bit of advice, it would be that: find what you love, and do it as well as you can. Pursue your dream and, even if you never catch it, you'll enjoy the chase."
December 19, 2022
This book, like the author himself is charming and considered. It is essentially Michael Caine's advice or lessons in life, based on his own career as an actor. While this would align perfectly if the reader is an actor (or aspiring actor), it is not to say it is not comparable for life in general.
This is another of those books you read in the subject's voice - throughout this I heard in my head Michael Caine's cockney accent, yet considered and polite in a way many cockney's are not!
Caine looks back across his career, describing the, good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful - in what appears to be a fairly candid review of anecdotes of his life. The advice is obvious, and while we can all read it and acknowledge it is a good idea, I would expect the vast majority would struggle to follow through. That is likely because Michael Caine is a pretty special sort of man. According to his book (and there is no reason to doubt the content) he is calm, polite and professional while on set; he is organised and well prepared in advance of arriving; he doesn't drink to excess or go near drugs; he turns every difficulty into a positive and, has been married 50 years (how many actors can claim that?).
A British icon, hugely respected, knighted in 1992, with a load of nominations and awards, it is all the more impressive given he was destined to follow his father into fish mongering after his early life in Elephant and Castle in Southwark. He is a dedicated family man - buying his mother and brother houses with some of his earliest windfall earnings.
Look, there is nothing in Caine's advice which will make you fall out of your chair. It is almost all sound sense related to positivity, organisation, setting your self up to do a good job, not having an ego and not being an ass (my wording, not his). There is some repetition in the book, but look, it's not that long, so you move through it pretty quickly.
There are some reminders of his brilliant and iconic films - The Italian Job, Alfie, Get Carter, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the Cider House Rules, etc. If you get nothing else from the book you get to imagine Caine's accent for 290 pages.
A solid 3 stars - enough to blow the doors off, but not the whole car.
This is another of those books you read in the subject's voice - throughout this I heard in my head Michael Caine's cockney accent, yet considered and polite in a way many cockney's are not!
Caine looks back across his career, describing the, good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful - in what appears to be a fairly candid review of anecdotes of his life. The advice is obvious, and while we can all read it and acknowledge it is a good idea, I would expect the vast majority would struggle to follow through. That is likely because Michael Caine is a pretty special sort of man. According to his book (and there is no reason to doubt the content) he is calm, polite and professional while on set; he is organised and well prepared in advance of arriving; he doesn't drink to excess or go near drugs; he turns every difficulty into a positive and, has been married 50 years (how many actors can claim that?).
A British icon, hugely respected, knighted in 1992, with a load of nominations and awards, it is all the more impressive given he was destined to follow his father into fish mongering after his early life in Elephant and Castle in Southwark. He is a dedicated family man - buying his mother and brother houses with some of his earliest windfall earnings.
Look, there is nothing in Caine's advice which will make you fall out of your chair. It is almost all sound sense related to positivity, organisation, setting your self up to do a good job, not having an ego and not being an ass (my wording, not his). There is some repetition in the book, but look, it's not that long, so you move through it pretty quickly.
There are some reminders of his brilliant and iconic films - The Italian Job, Alfie, Get Carter, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the Cider House Rules, etc. If you get nothing else from the book you get to imagine Caine's accent for 290 pages.
A solid 3 stars - enough to blow the doors off, but not the whole car.
September 7, 2021
Признавам, че не съм гледала повечето филми на сър Майкъл Кейн, спомням си обаче, че много ми допадна във Flawless, а последно го гледах в Going in Style. Това по никакъв начин не пречи да заобичам тази книга, дотолкова, че още в самото начало на слушането я купих на хартия за близък. Така де, хубавите книги трябва да имат твърдо материално присъствие в домовете ни! Приземен, духовит, невземащ се на сериозно, от тези, на които им викат „свежари“ и на 20, и на 80 годишна възраст. От много старата школа – тази на купонната система, евакуацията от бомбардировки, лишенията и жилавостта на работническата класа. Кокни акцентът е бонус. Очилата също.
Обичам точно такива биографии, в които разказвачът се връща назад, без да спестява неизбежните трудности, но и без да проси съчувствие и да играе жертва. За щастие, славата и парите не винаги и не при всеки водят до алкохолни оргии и наркотични мъгли, а са свършили доста добра облагородяваща работа – попаднали са на здрав ценностен фундамент. Не толкова биография от отделни случки, колкото чист дестилат мъдрост под формата на работещи съвети, осмислени и изстрадани.
Това е наистина и съвсем буквално книга за всички, без значение от житейската сфера, аспирациите и социалната среда. В крайна сметка, една голяма част от живота ни се състои в това да свършим някаква работа, по възможност добре. Да организираш живота си по умен начин със сигурност не пречи за тази цел. Затова и сър Майъл говори за важността от разумна рутина, добри навици, коректност и изпълнителност. Все скучни неща, но без които дори големият талант ще се рее без котва и в крайна сметка ще отлети.
Интересно, никак не прилича на история на човек, чиято младост е минала през swinging 60s. Това е биография, която шокира с нормалност, без нито една сензация за пълнеж.
Много би ми се искало, ако не да познавах лично подобен човек, то поне да знам, че и в нашите актьорски и културни среди си имаме някой като него – духовит и симпатичен, видял всичко в професията и живота, пътувал по целия свят, светски и възпитан, културен и мил, но без пози и превземки, без пиедесталничене, интелектуална депресия и морализаторско перчене.
Благодаря на Виктор, чието ревю ме запали по книгата! За малко да я пропусна, а вече оглави класацията на любимите ми биографии.
P.S. Запалих се да гледам “Alfie”, римейкът с Джъд Лоу беше страхотен, но едва ли е по-добър от оригинала от шейсетте.
Обичам точно такива биографии, в които разказвачът се връща назад, без да спестява неизбежните трудности, но и без да проси съчувствие и да играе жертва. За щастие, славата и парите не винаги и не при всеки водят до алкохолни оргии и наркотични мъгли, а са свършили доста добра облагородяваща работа – попаднали са на здрав ценностен фундамент. Не толкова биография от отделни случки, колкото чист дестилат мъдрост под формата на работещи съвети, осмислени и изстрадани.
Това е наистина и съвсем буквално книга за всички, без значение от житейската сфера, аспирациите и социалната среда. В крайна сметка, една голяма част от живота ни се състои в това да свършим някаква работа, по възможност добре. Да организираш живота си по умен начин със сигурност не пречи за тази цел. Затова и сър Майъл говори за важността от разумна рутина, добри навици, коректност и изпълнителност. Все скучни неща, но без които дори големият талант ще се рее без котва и в крайна сметка ще отлети.
Интересно, никак не прилича на история на човек, чиято младост е минала през swinging 60s. Това е биография, която шокира с нормалност, без нито една сензация за пълнеж.
Много би ми се искало, ако не да познавах лично подобен човек, то поне да знам, че и в нашите актьорски и културни среди си имаме някой като него – духовит и симпатичен, видял всичко в професията и живота, пътувал по целия свят, светски и възпитан, културен и мил, но без пози и превземки, без пиедесталничене, интелектуална депресия и морализаторско перчене.
Благодаря на Виктор, чието ревю ме запали по книгата! За малко да я пропусна, а вече оглави класацията на любимите ми биографии.
P.S. Запалих се да гледам “Alfie”, римейкът с Джъд Лоу беше страхотен, но едва ли е по-добър от оригинала от шейсетте.
December 31, 2018
Review of the audiobook narrated by the author.
I must confess that my primary reason for reading this is that I love listening to Michael Caine and wanted to hear him talk for 7 hours. In that much the book easily fulfilled its purpose. And that is what the book is best at; Michael Caine telling star-studded anecdotes.
Although I haven't read any of the others, this isn't the first time Michael Caine has written an autobiographical book. My sense is that this one is more of an addendum to his previous books, which are more straightforward autobiographies (and keep being outdated as he continues to find success in old age). It's billed and structured around different "life lessons," (specifically for prospective actors yet told in a more general sense) which run the gamut between tediously obvious and surprisingly insightful. That organizational structure can be off putting at times, as, after starting out with his pre-star early days, he constantly jumps around in time the rest of the book. At the very end the book does devolve a little too much essentially into lists of actors he's met and friends that have passed away. Even so, there are some really entertaining stories throughout, which are told with his ever-present wit and humility.
There is something about Michael Caine's voice and delivery that I can't get enough of. He is a joy to listen to and doesn't appear to have lost any poise despite being 85 years old the year this book was released. If you're going to read this book I highly recommend doing it on audiobook.
Final verdict: 3.5 star story, 5 star narration, 4 stars overall
I must confess that my primary reason for reading this is that I love listening to Michael Caine and wanted to hear him talk for 7 hours. In that much the book easily fulfilled its purpose. And that is what the book is best at; Michael Caine telling star-studded anecdotes.
Although I haven't read any of the others, this isn't the first time Michael Caine has written an autobiographical book. My sense is that this one is more of an addendum to his previous books, which are more straightforward autobiographies (and keep being outdated as he continues to find success in old age). It's billed and structured around different "life lessons," (specifically for prospective actors yet told in a more general sense) which run the gamut between tediously obvious and surprisingly insightful. That organizational structure can be off putting at times, as, after starting out with his pre-star early days, he constantly jumps around in time the rest of the book. At the very end the book does devolve a little too much essentially into lists of actors he's met and friends that have passed away. Even so, there are some really entertaining stories throughout, which are told with his ever-present wit and humility.
There is something about Michael Caine's voice and delivery that I can't get enough of. He is a joy to listen to and doesn't appear to have lost any poise despite being 85 years old the year this book was released. If you're going to read this book I highly recommend doing it on audiobook.
Final verdict: 3.5 star story, 5 star narration, 4 stars overall
August 27, 2021
Това е една бизнес книга, маскирана под формата на автобиография на актьор.
Съдържа едни такива простички съвети, които да се чудиш защо мнозинството хора се опитва винаги да заобиколи (или намери shortcut). Като:
- Научи си репликите.
- Бъди винаги подготвен. Подготви се предварително, по време на снимките релаксирай.
- За да имаш много качествена работа зад себе си, на първо време трябва да си свършил много работа. (и той наистина участва във всичко, което му се отдаде като възможност в началото.)
- Винаги си на интервю. Когато си поръчваш кафе. Когато се потиш във фитнеса. Винаги си на интервю (кастинг).
И още, и още ... но някак съумява да не е дразнещо назидателен или пък да се изживява като върховен авторитет. Напротив - разкрива ти се един човек, който е пробил с много, много бачкане. Вероятно това е причината да слушаш внимателно какво има да каже.
Няма изгарящ късмет (но все пак и късмет трябва), няма заобиколен или по-лесен начин. Много бачкане. Първо роли без реплики. После роли с по 1-2 реплики. После с по 8-10. После второстепенни, главни, номинации и оскари. Цялата стълбица. Не е прескочил нито едно стапало Сър Кейн.
Да, не съм гледал по-ранните му класики от 60-те и 70-те, но пък повечето от нас оценяваме по достойнство играта му във филми от новия век.
Един трудолюбив, балансиран и бих казал мъдър мъж. Това ми е впечатлението за тази книга. Бих я препоръчал на абсолютно всеки, който е в началото на кариерата си. Не само актьорска. Уроците важат за всички области на професионалния живот и не само.
Съдържа едни такива простички съвети, които да се чудиш защо мнозинството хора се опитва винаги да заобиколи (или намери shortcut). Като:
- Научи си репликите.
- Бъди винаги подготвен. Подготви се предварително, по време на снимките релаксирай.
- За да имаш много качествена работа зад себе си, на първо време трябва да си свършил много работа. (и той наистина участва във всичко, което му се отдаде като възможност в началото.)
- Винаги си на интервю. Когато си поръчваш кафе. Когато се потиш във фитнеса. Винаги си на интервю (кастинг).
И още, и още ... но някак съумява да не е дразнещо назидателен или пък да се изживява като върховен авторитет. Напротив - разкрива ти се един човек, който е пробил с много, много бачкане. Вероятно това е причината да слушаш внимателно какво има да каже.
Няма изгарящ късмет (но все пак и късмет трябва), няма заобиколен или по-лесен начин. Много бачкане. Първо роли без реплики. После роли с по 1-2 реплики. После с по 8-10. После второстепенни, главни, номинации и оскари. Цялата стълбица. Не е прескочил нито едно стапало Сър Кейн.
Да, не съм гледал по-ранните му класики от 60-те и 70-те, но пък повечето от нас оценяваме по достойнство играта му във филми от новия век.
Един трудолюбив, балансиран и бих казал мъдър мъж. Това ми е впечатлението за тази книга. Бих я препоръчал на абсолютно всеки, който е в началото на кариерата си. Не само актьорска. Уроците важат за всички области на професионалния живот и не само.
March 13, 2022
I promised myself I wasn't going to read another book by Michael Caine. I love his casual writing style, but couldn't imagine he'd have anything new to say that he hadn't already told in TV interviews or in his previous autobiographies. Then I saw this copy in a secondhand bookshop & thought "Why not ?"
In Blowing the Bloody Doors Off screen gem Michael Caine hands out plenty of advice for anyone in the acting profession, or in life generally. He does labour some of these points a bit, but the anecdotes are still wonderful. Many have been heard before, but he does slip in a few new ones & it's very pleasant to spend a few more hours in the company of a rare cinema legend.
In Blowing the Bloody Doors Off screen gem Michael Caine hands out plenty of advice for anyone in the acting profession, or in life generally. He does labour some of these points a bit, but the anecdotes are still wonderful. Many have been heard before, but he does slip in a few new ones & it's very pleasant to spend a few more hours in the company of a rare cinema legend.
July 7, 2025
“The point is, whether you call them a gang, your mates or your comrades-in-arms, no one gets very far without friends - people who like you for who you really are, and who have your back.”
I listened to the audiobook version of Michael Caine’s memoir BLOWING THE BLOODY DOORS OFF while doing chores. Frankly, I’m not sure I would have finished it otherwise. It’s an okay book, but it left me wondering what the point really was.
The book is peppered with basic life advice: show up on time, be prepared, treat people kindly—and with guidance specific to the craft of acting. Unfortunately, none of it feels particularly fresh or insightful. Much of what Caine shares would already be familiar to anyone with even basic theater training: come to rehearsals ready to explore, respect your peers, experiment with different line readings.
I picked up this text hoping to learn more about Caine’s long and storied career, but that aspect was disappointing as well. While he does touch on episodes from his career, the stories aren’t told in any chronological or linear fashion. He jumps from a project in 1961 to one in 1980, then back to something from 1965, with little context or sense of where we are in his life. I often found myself disoriented.
At times, this memoir becomes downright boring. For instance, he advises that movie stars should have good agents and managers, but instead of illustrating this with anecdotes from his own experience, he simply drops the platitude and moves on. Again and again, he offers aphorisms without the rich, personal stories that would have made them resonate.
In the end, the book comes across as a collection of clichés and scattered memories rather than a cohesive memoir or a meaningful guide. Listening to the author read it was by far the most enjoyable thing about the experience.
Still a fan of Mr. Caine’s, just not a fan of this book.
I listened to the audiobook version of Michael Caine’s memoir BLOWING THE BLOODY DOORS OFF while doing chores. Frankly, I’m not sure I would have finished it otherwise. It’s an okay book, but it left me wondering what the point really was.
The book is peppered with basic life advice: show up on time, be prepared, treat people kindly—and with guidance specific to the craft of acting. Unfortunately, none of it feels particularly fresh or insightful. Much of what Caine shares would already be familiar to anyone with even basic theater training: come to rehearsals ready to explore, respect your peers, experiment with different line readings.
I picked up this text hoping to learn more about Caine’s long and storied career, but that aspect was disappointing as well. While he does touch on episodes from his career, the stories aren’t told in any chronological or linear fashion. He jumps from a project in 1961 to one in 1980, then back to something from 1965, with little context or sense of where we are in his life. I often found myself disoriented.
At times, this memoir becomes downright boring. For instance, he advises that movie stars should have good agents and managers, but instead of illustrating this with anecdotes from his own experience, he simply drops the platitude and moves on. Again and again, he offers aphorisms without the rich, personal stories that would have made them resonate.
In the end, the book comes across as a collection of clichés and scattered memories rather than a cohesive memoir or a meaningful guide. Listening to the author read it was by far the most enjoyable thing about the experience.
Still a fan of Mr. Caine’s, just not a fan of this book.
May 9, 2022
This was a delightful memoir with life lessons and tips about the acting world sprinkled in. The content was reflective and thoughtful. I really enjoyed Michael Caine's approach to this book.
The tone was very conversational. I felt like I was getting some privileged insight from a grandfatherly figure who sat me down to take me through his life, both personally and professionally. While reading, I envisioned sitting in a library or study around a fire listening to him tell me all the tales, the ups and downs, and tucking in bits of wisdom.
My only gripe was that it was quite repetitive. There were some items and situations frequently re-explained, oftentimes very closely to the last time these things were mentioned. But I like to think I got to know Michael Caine while reading this book and that he was offering up the same information over and over again to be helpful rather than just to fill pages, or something else less kind.
I recommend this book for a glimpse into Hollywood and the movie business from a respectable actor with a career spanning 50+ years. It was a nice, casual read as well as a good bit of fun!
The tone was very conversational. I felt like I was getting some privileged insight from a grandfatherly figure who sat me down to take me through his life, both personally and professionally. While reading, I envisioned sitting in a library or study around a fire listening to him tell me all the tales, the ups and downs, and tucking in bits of wisdom.
My only gripe was that it was quite repetitive. There were some items and situations frequently re-explained, oftentimes very closely to the last time these things were mentioned. But I like to think I got to know Michael Caine while reading this book and that he was offering up the same information over and over again to be helpful rather than just to fill pages, or something else less kind.
I recommend this book for a glimpse into Hollywood and the movie business from a respectable actor with a career spanning 50+ years. It was a nice, casual read as well as a good bit of fun!
August 15, 2021
A very enjoyable memoir regarding the actor's life, but with enough of his personal life included to make this a memoir/autobio hybrid. Michael Caine is the blue-collar boy done good. He's an inspiration to us nobodies who weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths, but who yearn to crawl up out of the gutter. For lord's sake, as a boy he was fostered during the war and kept in the cupboard under the stairwell, literally locked inside like a real world Harry Potter, while the family went off for weekends. My one big take-away from reading this was learning that Caine is not a rich, movie star, playboy, but rather a down-to-earth good guy who cares more about family than fame. But don't get me wrong, he likes fame, but because it got him and those he loves up outta that gutter. I have great respect for someone who would willing do a clearly shit sequel of Jaws just so he could buy his mom a nice house.
January 12, 2019
I picked up the hardcover version and immediately became immersed in this very engaging memoir. Then, I switched to the audiobook read by the author himself and just loved listening to Michael Caine tell his story in his own sublime voice. I loved his down-to-earth style and philosophy of life, especially how he used the "little difficulties" to positive effect. He determines to live in the current moment and even tells his grandchildren, "Don't look back, you'll trip over!" Indeed, he speaks with great love and warmth about his family and tells heartwarming stories of time spent with his grandchildren.
In addition, Caine speaks with great wisdom about acting and all aspects of film making, which I found truly fascinating. He comes across as a lovely, accepting, and kind man and speaks with much grace about all the actors and directors he has encountered and sometimes developed deep friendships with over the years. I'll leave you with a final quote, which sums up his overall philosophy, "Find what you love and do it as well as you can."
In addition, Caine speaks with great wisdom about acting and all aspects of film making, which I found truly fascinating. He comes across as a lovely, accepting, and kind man and speaks with much grace about all the actors and directors he has encountered and sometimes developed deep friendships with over the years. I'll leave you with a final quote, which sums up his overall philosophy, "Find what you love and do it as well as you can."
November 20, 2020
Michael Caine delivers another book this time with the intention of delivering some tips to wannabee actors/actresses and to people that are good doing something.
Once again with get a nice collection of anecdotes that mostly concern themselves about the profession of acting. At time this gets repetitive especially as the man cannot stop mentioning how prepared he always was and on time and so grounded due to his loving wife Shakira (not the singer from South America, she would be too young and is the wife of a football player in the Spanish competition) .
Overal this could be seen as an easy read, his previous autobiographies were somewhat more fun and less preachy.
One thing is certain Sir Michael Caine is still very much a busy actor even only because Christopher Nolan does employ him on a very regular basis, most famously as Alfred the butler in the Dark knight trilogy.
It is a nice read but certainly not something you'd miss if you never read it. But still nobody can throw criticism at the person Michael Caine like he can himself. Which keeps the book enjoyable enough.
Once again with get a nice collection of anecdotes that mostly concern themselves about the profession of acting. At time this gets repetitive especially as the man cannot stop mentioning how prepared he always was and on time and so grounded due to his loving wife Shakira (not the singer from South America, she would be too young and is the wife of a football player in the Spanish competition) .
Overal this could be seen as an easy read, his previous autobiographies were somewhat more fun and less preachy.
One thing is certain Sir Michael Caine is still very much a busy actor even only because Christopher Nolan does employ him on a very regular basis, most famously as Alfred the butler in the Dark knight trilogy.
It is a nice read but certainly not something you'd miss if you never read it. But still nobody can throw criticism at the person Michael Caine like he can himself. Which keeps the book enjoyable enough.
April 6, 2021
Това не е просто автобиография.
Книгата на един от най-забележителните съвременни британски актьори е учебник в актьорския занаят.
Майкъл Кейн разказва изключително увлекателно за пътя си в професията, за успехите и провалите. И обобщава дългогодишния си опит в простички практични съвети за всеки актьор.
Книгата е написана с много чувство за хумор и има запомнящи се сцени (например моментът, в който Кристофър Нолън позвънява една сутрин на вратата на Кейн и не си тръгва от къщата му, докато не прочете сценария за Batman Begins).
Чудесна книга!
Книгата на един от най-забележителните съвременни британски актьори е учебник в актьорския занаят.
Майкъл Кейн разказва изключително увлекателно за пътя си в професията, за успехите и провалите. И обобщава дългогодишния си опит в простички практични съвети за всеки актьор.
Книгата е написана с много чувство за хумор и има запомнящи се сцени (например моментът, в който Кристофър Нолън позвънява една сутрин на вратата на Кейн и не си тръгва от къщата му, докато не прочете сценария за Batman Begins).
Чудесна книга!
December 26, 2025
This autobiographical tale from a working class lad who made it as a moviestar and a married man as well, according the book more than 45 years at the moment of its release.
The idea came from a speaking engagement for young actors so it is filled with advise how to behave being an actor, because an actor that does not behave is rarely of interest for those that finance movies, television and theater. So the book is about discipline and good behaviour accompanied with great tales about other famous actors and actresses. That makes this book easily readable and requires little effort enjoying it.
the title comes from a little caper in which a robbery was attempted.
Michael Caine is no longer just an actor but a moviestar and he can tell a tale.
The idea came from a speaking engagement for young actors so it is filled with advise how to behave being an actor, because an actor that does not behave is rarely of interest for those that finance movies, television and theater. So the book is about discipline and good behaviour accompanied with great tales about other famous actors and actresses. That makes this book easily readable and requires little effort enjoying it.
the title comes from a little caper in which a robbery was attempted.
Michael Caine is no longer just an actor but a moviestar and he can tell a tale.
December 6, 2019
I'd been looking forward to this one for a while, and deliberately chose the audio version, as I figured listening to the actor himself tell his story was the best way to experience it. It is very clear though, that Caine may be a great actor, but he doesn't have much experience reading aloud. It is at times a little flat, stilted, and there are odd inflections where he obviously thinks he's coming to the end of a sentence but isn't. To be fair, I'm sure most narrators have episodes like these, but usually the editing is better and another take of the sentence in question is done to fix it. Either way, it was far from the worst narration I've heard, so not worth discounting on that front.
The book itself focuses very much on Caine's progression through the industry, with tips for aspiring actors liberally strewn throughout. Caine himself is unapologetically direct, with not much of a hint of modesty (false or otherwise) shown in his recounting of his life and achievements. And why should he? He's accomplished an awful lot in his time, and deserves to be proud of it, I think.
The book itself focuses very much on Caine's progression through the industry, with tips for aspiring actors liberally strewn throughout. Caine himself is unapologetically direct, with not much of a hint of modesty (false or otherwise) shown in his recounting of his life and achievements. And why should he? He's accomplished an awful lot in his time, and deserves to be proud of it, I think.
October 28, 2018
I blew the Bloody cover of this book in 5 hours.
Breezy, lightweight, 273 pages of acting tips and advice.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.
Disappointing.
Breezy, lightweight, 273 pages of acting tips and advice.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.
Disappointing.
August 15, 2021
"Изчезвайте и вървете да се забавлявате."
February 20, 2019
(Audible)
Read by the author, the book is part memoir, part acting tips, part life lessons, but all delivered in a humble cheery manner of a man who is really grateful for the great luck he's had in his life.
Sometimes repetitive.
A LOT of name dropping, but it's just so cool--I really didn't get sick of it. John Wayne landing his helicopter in the Beverly Hills Hotel garden when it was expressly forbidden . . . but hey . . . it's the Duke.
Michael Caine says he's been extremely lucky in life, and perhaps that's true, but he's also worked--worked very hard--to be where he is today. I appreciated his commitment to his family, his admission of mistakes, his acceptance of living in today--not in the past, not with regrets. Be here now.
It hasn't been easy, he's had life threatening situations. Yet he's so full of kindness and love--happiness and gratitude. Joy.
I loved that about this book. I loved listening to him tell tales he wanted to tell.
RECOMMEND
Read by the author, the book is part memoir, part acting tips, part life lessons, but all delivered in a humble cheery manner of a man who is really grateful for the great luck he's had in his life.
Sometimes repetitive.
A LOT of name dropping, but it's just so cool--I really didn't get sick of it. John Wayne landing his helicopter in the Beverly Hills Hotel garden when it was expressly forbidden . . . but hey . . . it's the Duke.
Michael Caine says he's been extremely lucky in life, and perhaps that's true, but he's also worked--worked very hard--to be where he is today. I appreciated his commitment to his family, his admission of mistakes, his acceptance of living in today--not in the past, not with regrets. Be here now.
It hasn't been easy, he's had life threatening situations. Yet he's so full of kindness and love--happiness and gratitude. Joy.
I loved that about this book. I loved listening to him tell tales he wanted to tell.
RECOMMEND
November 2, 2021
Written in his 85th year veteran British actor Michael Caine looks back on his life with a view to highlighting what he’s learned. Although primarily aimed at those with a yen for performance, his advice is useful for anyone wanting to better themselves. With stories and anecdotes from his more than 170 movies, he relates those things he’s done right as well as those he’s done wrong, and the different impacts each had on his life and career.
Though it’s fair to say there’s a bit of overlap in this book to his previous autobiographical tomes, it’s nevertheless an entertaining read and shows off Caine’s storytelling talent and ability to dissect events and understand how to move forward. As a life-long fan of the man, I thoroughly enjoyed Blowing the Bloody Doors Off and can recommend it to anyone who likes actors who’ve stuck to their roots and (unlike some) have not been dazzled by the bright lights of Hollywood into believing their own publicity.
Witty and delightful.
Though it’s fair to say there’s a bit of overlap in this book to his previous autobiographical tomes, it’s nevertheless an entertaining read and shows off Caine’s storytelling talent and ability to dissect events and understand how to move forward. As a life-long fan of the man, I thoroughly enjoyed Blowing the Bloody Doors Off and can recommend it to anyone who likes actors who’ve stuck to their roots and (unlike some) have not been dazzled by the bright lights of Hollywood into believing their own publicity.
Witty and delightful.
January 15, 2020
Michael Caine is one of those guys I'd love to sit and have a beer with...and just listen to his stories :)
August 19, 2024
I am loving reading memoirs of actors I admire. This one is more like a traditional one where the timeline is less directional and the content and delivery or more pedantic. Some good stuff but found myself tuning out once in a while.
October 6, 2019
I'm a fan of Michael Caine's acting, and I recommend this memoir for anyone else who is. I listened to the Audible edition, narrated by the actor. Mr. Caine recounts his difficult childhood. He refers a bit to his time in the infantry, of which he observes almost everything is pleasant by comparison. His early life as an actor and his later life too. Most of all, the memoir is about the virtues of working hard and keeping one's perspective. It's about the good fortune that often follows hard work. I might have given the book four stars for a bit of repetitiveness, but I found I wasn't qualified to credit Michael Caine's life with fewer than five. The man is an inspiration.
January 30, 2020
It is most certainly, Sir Michael Caine to me!
July 26, 2019
Michael Caine (along with Richard Burton) is one of my all time favorite actors. While this second autobiography gives a great deal of advice to aspiring actors, the stories of his encounters with so many legendary figures are fascinating.
December 29, 2018
From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the week:
Hollywood legend and British national treasure Sir Michael Caine, now 85, shares stories from screen and stage alongside some of the lessons and skills that life has taught him.
In episode one he gets some advice from John Wayne and also looks back on his time as an evacuee and later as a soldier on National Service.
Written and read by Michael Caine
Abridged by Jill Waters and Isobel Creed
Produced by Jill Waters
The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000...
Hollywood legend and British national treasure Sir Michael Caine, now 85, shares stories from screen and stage alongside some of the lessons and skills that life has taught him.
In episode one he gets some advice from John Wayne and also looks back on his time as an evacuee and later as a soldier on National Service.
Written and read by Michael Caine
Abridged by Jill Waters and Isobel Creed
Produced by Jill Waters
The Waters Company for BBC Radio 4
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000...
November 15, 2018
A breeze, but a very entertaining one. Some real gems that made me laugh out loud and some sound advice that's also applicable to us lesser mortals not in the film industry. After reading I have the urge to re-acquaint myself with a few of his films. I started with the Ipcress File, which is still enjoyable after seeing it for the umpteenth time.
November 20, 2018
Don’t know how such an interesting and thoughtful life could be made to be such a dull read.
October 6, 2019
I highly recommend listening to Michael Caine's memoir on audiobook as the author provides the narration himself. Honestly, I could listen to him tell stories about his life and career all day long.
February 27, 2019
delightful autobiography but something which really stands out though
April 30, 2022
I came to Blowing the Bloody Doors Off with a prejudice; Michael Caine has been one of my heroes for years due to his onscreen versatility and interviews I've watched. Intelligent, gracious, erudite, courteous, generous.
Blowing the Bloody Doors Off reinforced my opinion of him in spades. I don't know if he penned the book himself (there are several statements giving that impression) or someone ghost-wrote it for him. In any case, I couldn't stop hearing Caine read the book to me. Delightful!
Lots of insights into life (not just the movie industry) from someone who's lived a long, difficult life and always come out smiling. Honest and compelling (and infinitely quotable), an excellent read.
Strongly recommended.
Blowing the Bloody Doors Off reinforced my opinion of him in spades. I don't know if he penned the book himself (there are several statements giving that impression) or someone ghost-wrote it for him. In any case, I couldn't stop hearing Caine read the book to me. Delightful!
Lots of insights into life (not just the movie industry) from someone who's lived a long, difficult life and always come out smiling. Honest and compelling (and infinitely quotable), an excellent read.
Strongly recommended.
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