Mirren refuses to honour Winner

Dame Helen Mirren has refused to join the acting and film fraternity in praising Michael Winner, the director of 'Death Wish', who died last week.

Mirren has claimed that the movie mogul, also known as a restaurant critic, treated her badly on the only occasion that the pair met.

It was during a casting session in 1964 that the actress says that Winner made her display her body unnecessarily.

“I was mortified and incredibly angry,” she said. “I thought it was insulting and sexist, and I don’t think any actress should be treated like that, like a piece of meat, at all. Even if they haven’t done the kind of work that I have done, it was incredibly insulting.''

The award-winning actress  added, ''I was so angry – I still am.'' This comes after the majority of the film world has been paying tribute to the late director, following his death last week at the age of 77.

Interestingly, Dame Helen is just about to appear on British screens in a role where she has to deal with another famous director who had somewhat problematic relationships with women. She plays Alma Reville, the director's wife in 'Hitchcock', opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins as Sir Alfred.