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In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures
Rare book
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
31 people are currently reading
1581 people want to read
About the author
Helen Mirren
17 books30 followersDame Helen Mirren (born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov), DBE is an English stage, film and television actress. She has won an Oscar, four SAG Awards, four BAFTAs, three Golden Globes and four Emmy Awards during her career.
Mirren's autobiography was published in the UK by Weidenfeld and Nicholson in September 2007, under the title In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures. Reviewing for The Stage, John Thaxter wrote: "Sumptuously illustrated, at first sight it looks like another of those photo albums of the stars. But between the pictures there are almost 200 pages of densely printed text, an unusually frank story of her private and professional life, mainly in the theatre, the words clearly Mirren's own, delivered with forthright candour."
Mirren's autobiography was published in the UK by Weidenfeld and Nicholson in September 2007, under the title In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures. Reviewing for The Stage, John Thaxter wrote: "Sumptuously illustrated, at first sight it looks like another of those photo albums of the stars. But between the pictures there are almost 200 pages of densely printed text, an unusually frank story of her private and professional life, mainly in the theatre, the words clearly Mirren's own, delivered with forthright candour."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 8, 2009
I found this book in my neighbor's apartment while catsitting, and between brushing fur and wet-wiping an adorably overweight cat's butt (her tongue can't reach), my lust for Helen was rekindled. What an odd career: she's starred in the worst movie of all time (
The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu
[oh c'mon,
Caligula
wasn't that bad!]) and the greatest political film ever (
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover
). She was Liam Neeson's sackmate for four-odd years. (Now she's married to Taylor Hackford, the only man alive who can get away with a neatly trimmed white beardy thing on his face.) She's the hottest fiftysomething (er, sorry sixtysomething) actress around, and still has no problem taking her kit off. So, her memoir is more like a coffee-table book – glossy pages and lots of pictures, the sort of thing to flip through and pass around a party rather than read from cover to cover. Which isn't to say her words don't matter – there's a lot of great insight, wit, and gossip to be found here too.
Touring Africa with Peter Brook's experimental theater: "Each of us had to make our own decision about going on the carpet and engaging in the performance, which was often an audience of three women, two kids human and three kids goat" (later, they were paid for a performance with a goat, which prompted the usual vegetarian-hippie debates among the touring cast).
On making The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover: "The dog turds used in that horrific first scene were also made by our chef. He prepared them out of the very best chocolate, like beautiful chocolate truffles. The minute the dogs were let out, they ran around and ate them all up. Once again, the actors missed out!"
While filming 2010 in her first Hollywood stint: "I had to learn that Americans did not go in for the kind of theatrical swearing I was used to. There is one word in particular which begins with a C and ends with a T and has an N and a U in it. This word is absolutely the pits in America. No word is worse. [...] ... the director called 'Cut!' As an amused throwaway I turned to Roy [Scheider] and said, 'Oh, Roy, you c***.' The whole studio froze in horror. Roy looked utterly shocked, whereupon I dug myself deeper and deeper. 'Oh no! I didn't mean you c***, I just meant, you know, you C***.'!"
A most excellent memoir. The nude photos are after page 153.
Touring Africa with Peter Brook's experimental theater: "Each of us had to make our own decision about going on the carpet and engaging in the performance, which was often an audience of three women, two kids human and three kids goat" (later, they were paid for a performance with a goat, which prompted the usual vegetarian-hippie debates among the touring cast).
On making The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover: "The dog turds used in that horrific first scene were also made by our chef. He prepared them out of the very best chocolate, like beautiful chocolate truffles. The minute the dogs were let out, they ran around and ate them all up. Once again, the actors missed out!"
While filming 2010 in her first Hollywood stint: "I had to learn that Americans did not go in for the kind of theatrical swearing I was used to. There is one word in particular which begins with a C and ends with a T and has an N and a U in it. This word is absolutely the pits in America. No word is worse. [...] ... the director called 'Cut!' As an amused throwaway I turned to Roy [Scheider] and said, 'Oh, Roy, you c***.' The whole studio froze in horror. Roy looked utterly shocked, whereupon I dug myself deeper and deeper. 'Oh no! I didn't mean you c***, I just meant, you know, you C***.'!"
A most excellent memoir. The nude photos are after page 153.
October 29, 2021
Subtitle: My Life in Words and Pictures
I don’t read many “celebrity” memoirs, I love Helen Mirren. She’s an accomplished actress and I’ve enjoyed virtually every movie or TV show in which I’ve seen her perform. This is her autobiography / memoir, supported by many photos.
Looking at her as a young woman, leading a rather nomadic lifestyle with a theatre troupe in Africa and across the USA, as well as in the UK, gives me a completely different perspective on her as a woman. What a free spirit! What tenacity and courage and drive! I applaud her ability to remain focused on her own goals and desires, to know what is the right thing for her career and to pursue her craft. Brava!
I also quite enjoyed learning more about her family background, including her parents’ own immigrant story coming from Russia to the English countryside.
I don’t read many “celebrity” memoirs, I love Helen Mirren. She’s an accomplished actress and I’ve enjoyed virtually every movie or TV show in which I’ve seen her perform. This is her autobiography / memoir, supported by many photos.
Looking at her as a young woman, leading a rather nomadic lifestyle with a theatre troupe in Africa and across the USA, as well as in the UK, gives me a completely different perspective on her as a woman. What a free spirit! What tenacity and courage and drive! I applaud her ability to remain focused on her own goals and desires, to know what is the right thing for her career and to pursue her craft. Brava!
I also quite enjoyed learning more about her family background, including her parents’ own immigrant story coming from Russia to the English countryside.
May 5, 2008
This is enormously satisfying. This brilliant and sensual actress addresses her family and career, friendships and lovers, with disarming directness. It is also absolutely chock-full of photographs by famous photographers and not; family snapshots, some historical;, art and design shots; and of course, many of Mirren in her many roles on stage (and screen).
I did not read every word of every essay, but Mirren is particularly kind to every man she's ever loved. Some of us will be particularly enthralled by her writing about Liam Neeson, who was hers for about four years before he was quite famous.
I did not read every word of every essay, but Mirren is particularly kind to every man she's ever loved. Some of us will be particularly enthralled by her writing about Liam Neeson, who was hers for about four years before he was quite famous.
September 20, 2008
I have long admired actress Helen Mirren, so this was a treat to discover. This isn't an autobiography nor does Mirren explore her past in great depth. It's a lovely portrait of memories in text and photos of her development and experiences as an actress. There is more energy devoted to her years on the stage, rather than her more recent work in film. Mirren's voice comes through as down-to-earth and earthy, a creative soul devoted to friends from adolescence and her early years in the theatre, respectful of her many colleagues, both those with bold-face names and those more obscure. She seems like an incredibly healthy, rounded, possessed and intelligent woman who remains humble and gracious in work and with loved ones. Brava, bella!
July 7, 2008
Enjoyed this book. I liked how there were so many pictures and the words are there to describe. She does not over dramatize or under dramatize her life. You can tell she just really loves her life and the people around her.
May 12, 2021
I have to say that my expectations weren't very high, I've read several actor's biographies but this one was exceptional. A very, very quick read, maybe because I found it so interesting and of course, worship the woman.
Dame Helen Mirren, born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov in Chiswick, London, entertained me while she educated me about acting on the stage and screen. She's lead a really interesting life as well, starting with taking plays on the road to some of the most obscure and/or famous places while working in the National Youth Theatre. The accommodations that actors endure on their trip up the ladder are appalling to say the least but I guess that's what you do for art. This book made me laugh out loud and also made me a bit misty at parts.
Helen Mirren speaks of the successes and failures, loves found and lost, and the triumph that makes up her life.
She's honest, straightforward and in addition, has lead a really interesting life on and off the stage. The photos lend a lot of humanity and delight to the book.
Dame Helen Mirren, born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov in Chiswick, London, entertained me while she educated me about acting on the stage and screen. She's lead a really interesting life as well, starting with taking plays on the road to some of the most obscure and/or famous places while working in the National Youth Theatre. The accommodations that actors endure on their trip up the ladder are appalling to say the least but I guess that's what you do for art. This book made me laugh out loud and also made me a bit misty at parts.
Helen Mirren speaks of the successes and failures, loves found and lost, and the triumph that makes up her life.
She's honest, straightforward and in addition, has lead a really interesting life on and off the stage. The photos lend a lot of humanity and delight to the book.
March 4, 2013
Excellent! Helen Mirren gives us snippets of her professional and personal life experiences, along with a bunch of photos, some from her personal collection.
I enjoyed reading about the unusual and exciting life she has lead so far, and her jobs on the stage and screen.
One little complaint - I am being greedy and would have loved to have read more about the behind-the-scene stuff while filming Excalibur. I know that John Boorman did a commentary track on the dvd, but it would have been nice to get her perspective as well. As I said, this is just a minor thing because this is one of my favorite movies and too much isn't enough! :)
I enjoyed reading about the unusual and exciting life she has lead so far, and her jobs on the stage and screen.
One little complaint - I am being greedy and would have loved to have read more about the behind-the-scene stuff while filming Excalibur. I know that John Boorman did a commentary track on the dvd, but it would have been nice to get her perspective as well. As I said, this is just a minor thing because this is one of my favorite movies and too much isn't enough! :)
July 22, 2014
I don't read a lot of biography and was given this as a gift. I dipped in and out of it over an extended period and found it mostly interesting and entertaining. Well worth a look if you also find Ms Mirren interesting and attractive.
Want to read
April 2, 2008a heroine of mine: queen, star, foxy lady & all that...
August 31, 2015
A very interesting read. I also loved the photographs.
Read
March 4, 2023a celebrity memoir
easy interesting pleasant. many personal photos
easy interesting pleasant. many personal photos
July 15, 2021
Published in 2007, this Helen Mirren memoir will provide no information about her activities of the past fifteen years. And there have been many recent activities by this prolific actress, who remarks in her memoir that her greatest success came after age 45. In the Frame is a large, glossy book with many photographs but it also contains extensive text written by the actress herself.
If you are attracted to Helen Mirren based on her more recent roles as powerful, brainy, sophisticated women, you may come away from this memoir a little disappointed at how she has navigated the sea of possibilities open to her from a young age. She came from a working class English family and was catapulted into stardom through her achievements in the National Youth Theatre. She went on to a successful career in the Royal Shakespeare Company and later branched out into film roles, television roles, and even Broadway or West End productions.
While her professional success is undeniable and well-earned, her personal life success is less so. She describes many relationships, from fleeting to about four years long (Liam Neeson). She declared herself opposed to marriage and stayed true to that view until she married American director Taylor Hackford when she was 52. In fact, she could have given this memoir the title "Married to my Career." She has no children (except two stepsons) and continues to work at a frenetic pace even at age 75. She is starring as Golda Meir in a forthcoming biographical film.
Here are some of the more interesting revelations:
Mirren was originally Mironov, the surname changed by her father who was born to be a Russian aristocrat but actually became a London cabbie in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
Mirren's mother was the daughter and granddaughter of a butcher but had social mobility aspirations.
Mirren views her early encounters with men to be almost entirely exploitative and painful to remember. (Since publication of this book she has described many instances of "date rape.")
Mirren manages to write this long, detailed book without mentioning Dame Judy Dench or Dame Maggie Smith, which is remarkable given their prominence in the same acting circles. Mirren is about ten years younger than Dench and Smith, but it seems that they could have been role models or mentors.
Mirren is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
If you are attracted to Helen Mirren based on her more recent roles as powerful, brainy, sophisticated women, you may come away from this memoir a little disappointed at how she has navigated the sea of possibilities open to her from a young age. She came from a working class English family and was catapulted into stardom through her achievements in the National Youth Theatre. She went on to a successful career in the Royal Shakespeare Company and later branched out into film roles, television roles, and even Broadway or West End productions.
While her professional success is undeniable and well-earned, her personal life success is less so. She describes many relationships, from fleeting to about four years long (Liam Neeson). She declared herself opposed to marriage and stayed true to that view until she married American director Taylor Hackford when she was 52. In fact, she could have given this memoir the title "Married to my Career." She has no children (except two stepsons) and continues to work at a frenetic pace even at age 75. She is starring as Golda Meir in a forthcoming biographical film.
Here are some of the more interesting revelations:
Mirren was originally Mironov, the surname changed by her father who was born to be a Russian aristocrat but actually became a London cabbie in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
Mirren's mother was the daughter and granddaughter of a butcher but had social mobility aspirations.
Mirren views her early encounters with men to be almost entirely exploitative and painful to remember. (Since publication of this book she has described many instances of "date rape.")
Mirren manages to write this long, detailed book without mentioning Dame Judy Dench or Dame Maggie Smith, which is remarkable given their prominence in the same acting circles. Mirren is about ten years younger than Dench and Smith, but it seems that they could have been role models or mentors.
Mirren is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
March 18, 2021
I chanced upon this gem at a used-books sale a few years ago. Finally got around to reading it. Helen Mirren has got to be one of the finest actors ever and it's a great experience to view the world through her eyes.
Through a collection of intimate photographs, Mirren walks us through her life: from her ancestral home in Russia, her childhood as an immigrant kid in suburban London, early career in the London theatre scene and success in TV and Films. She also writes candidly about her romantic relationships, friends and family.
The photographs at the centre of this book are incredible. They give a fantastic insight into her personality. She shares some lovely little anecdotes from her life through the numerous pictures.
There's a hilarious tryst with an Indian palm reader, who clairvoyantly proclaims, "You will be successful in life, but you will see your greatest success later, after the age of forty five." She writes about performing with Peter Brook's eccentric experimental theatre group across Africa, where on occasion, they were paid for their performances with a sacrificial goat.
She describes varied experiences from her life like getting her first tattoo at a Native American reservation or rehearsing for a performance with Ian McKellen in New York while the events of 9/11 were unfolding.
While she writes about her work, it mostly focuses on her interactions with her colleagues, the costumes and her on-set experiences. This is one aspect of the book which, for me, was a bit underwhelming. It would have been great as a reader to get into her head as she took on such challenging roles.
She is unusually frank when she writes about her relationships. From the much talked about affair with Liam Neeson to her marriage with Taylor Hackford, she communicates with refreshing candour. She also mentions her lack of maternal instinct and decision to have no children.
At first glance, the book might look like a glossy star-studded photo album, but it's actually much more than that. The accompanying text is equally enthralling and definitely worth the time invested. If you're a fan, you should definitely try and get your hands on this one.
My favourite lines from the book:
Talking about the film, "Some Mother's Son": "It was the first time I had personally experienced the battle between creativity and the accepted political posture of the moment."
Talking about her travels through Africa: "Like all very poor people, they showed generosity and hospitality to me. "
Through a collection of intimate photographs, Mirren walks us through her life: from her ancestral home in Russia, her childhood as an immigrant kid in suburban London, early career in the London theatre scene and success in TV and Films. She also writes candidly about her romantic relationships, friends and family.
The photographs at the centre of this book are incredible. They give a fantastic insight into her personality. She shares some lovely little anecdotes from her life through the numerous pictures.
There's a hilarious tryst with an Indian palm reader, who clairvoyantly proclaims, "You will be successful in life, but you will see your greatest success later, after the age of forty five." She writes about performing with Peter Brook's eccentric experimental theatre group across Africa, where on occasion, they were paid for their performances with a sacrificial goat.
She describes varied experiences from her life like getting her first tattoo at a Native American reservation or rehearsing for a performance with Ian McKellen in New York while the events of 9/11 were unfolding.
While she writes about her work, it mostly focuses on her interactions with her colleagues, the costumes and her on-set experiences. This is one aspect of the book which, for me, was a bit underwhelming. It would have been great as a reader to get into her head as she took on such challenging roles.
She is unusually frank when she writes about her relationships. From the much talked about affair with Liam Neeson to her marriage with Taylor Hackford, she communicates with refreshing candour. She also mentions her lack of maternal instinct and decision to have no children.
At first glance, the book might look like a glossy star-studded photo album, but it's actually much more than that. The accompanying text is equally enthralling and definitely worth the time invested. If you're a fan, you should definitely try and get your hands on this one.
My favourite lines from the book:
Talking about the film, "Some Mother's Son": "It was the first time I had personally experienced the battle between creativity and the accepted political posture of the moment."
Talking about her travels through Africa: "Like all very poor people, they showed generosity and hospitality to me. "
May 1, 2025
WOW! One hell of an actress and A life!
I admired Helen as an actress in all the works I saw her perform in but little did I know about the amazing life she lived along with her acting career. I loved how Helen is courageous enough to own her age and look it, no small feat in the age of Botox beauty. She has been an independent, hard working actor that focused on her career with no regrets. She was in several long term relationships with some of the most interesting men, one of them being Liam Neeson, but didn't marry until she found the love of her life later.
The only drawback, and it is minor to me, is that there were some pictures that did not show up sharply on my Kindle, and that may be due to the transfer of technology. The information itself more than made up for this glitch. Since some of the photos were old, it could have been due to their age as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have come away an even bigger fan of this truly amazing lady and talented actress. I highly recommend it.
I admired Helen as an actress in all the works I saw her perform in but little did I know about the amazing life she lived along with her acting career. I loved how Helen is courageous enough to own her age and look it, no small feat in the age of Botox beauty. She has been an independent, hard working actor that focused on her career with no regrets. She was in several long term relationships with some of the most interesting men, one of them being Liam Neeson, but didn't marry until she found the love of her life later.
The only drawback, and it is minor to me, is that there were some pictures that did not show up sharply on my Kindle, and that may be due to the transfer of technology. The information itself more than made up for this glitch. Since some of the photos were old, it could have been due to their age as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have come away an even bigger fan of this truly amazing lady and talented actress. I highly recommend it.
September 18, 2018
I tried several times but I really couldn't get into this - I'm so used to the "so-called" typical biographies/memoirs that feature pictures between chapters; for me all the pages and pages of pictures were more of a distraction and many of the pictures had no description included as to who the people featured in the pictures were. This had the feeling of someone handing me their photo albums and as I was looking through, I ask about this or that picture and, the person would tell me a little back story or the situation surrounding the picture. After picking this up and putting it down several times, I just took an evening to look through the pictures. I do have to say some of these pictures are really interesting and amazing. I wish I had looked through this at the library or at a book store and hadn't bought this.
January 1, 2018
I started this book a couple of years ago, but misplaced it when I was about half-way through. After re-arranging things recently I stumbled across it again, so took the opportunity to finally finish it.
What can I say..? Helen Mirren is simply a delight. The book is less of a proper auto biography, and more of a photo album with commentary. But this is what makes it charming, I think.
It was a fun enough read, and I enjoyed reading about the life of this incredible actress - some real surprises there! - I will probably pick up a proper (auto)biography in the future, but this was a lovely read in its own right.
What can I say..? Helen Mirren is simply a delight. The book is less of a proper auto biography, and more of a photo album with commentary. But this is what makes it charming, I think.
It was a fun enough read, and I enjoyed reading about the life of this incredible actress - some real surprises there! - I will probably pick up a proper (auto)biography in the future, but this was a lovely read in its own right.
February 16, 2019
I loved this book! It's filled with photographs and pieces of art and most of all the memories of this very cool lady. I've never known much about Helen Mirren, but somehow always admired her. She seemed to be unabashedly herself. After reading the book, I know that to be true. Such a fun book to read. I love biographies because they open one up to the possibilities in life. That is so true with this book about a lady who has always set her own course and admirably so.
January 16, 2017
This was fun, especially the parts about Liam Neeson. Now I only hope she makes a second book taking her life up to the present day. Fun side note, my mother picked the book up for me and while talking to the librarian about it, randomly opened the book up to a naked picture of Miss Mirren while my ten year old son walked up to them. Good times!
March 21, 2018
Helen Mirren is one of my favorite actresses, ever since I saw her as Morgana in Excalibur; along with my favorite actor, Charley Boorman. I have seen every movie and TV show she ever did, and I was thrilled when this autobiography came out. It tells amazing details from her life and it is a great read. The pictures are also amazing. Must read.
July 7, 2019
Such a neat idea for a book. In her introduction she writes how the pictures are the best part of any biography, so why not make it the focal point? So many images of her. She writes well and it’s satisfying. I like how she didn’t put everything in chronological order, saving her relationship with her husband for the end.
I now have a long list of films I want to watch starring Helen Mirren. :-)
I now have a long list of films I want to watch starring Helen Mirren. :-)
April 2, 2020
I adore Helen Mirren. She puts some much into the roles she plays as an actress. I've watched her in late night interviews & always find myself intrigued by her conversations. This book was no different. She details her childhood, the start of her career, her travels along with her rise to fame. It was an interesting read from chapter 1 all the way to her acknowledgements.
June 9, 2021
What a magnificent person.
Many might argue with me, but I place her near Olivier in the spectrum of artists. She is chameleon-like...has that unique ability to become the character, shed get 'Mirren-ness', yet still be herself, in all her wondrous ways.
Am I starstruck? Since first setting eyes on her, oh too many years ago.
The book itself? Pages 162-163 alone make it worthwhile.
Many might argue with me, but I place her near Olivier in the spectrum of artists. She is chameleon-like...has that unique ability to become the character, shed get 'Mirren-ness', yet still be herself, in all her wondrous ways.
Am I starstruck? Since first setting eyes on her, oh too many years ago.
The book itself? Pages 162-163 alone make it worthwhile.
September 15, 2024
A fascinating look at a grand dame of acting. On stage and screen, Helen Mirren dazzles. In this wonderful autobiographical photo book, she shares tales and images from her life through the years. Well worth a read. One word of warning, the font is tiny, so you will be limited as to how much you can read at a time without eyestrain.
February 24, 2019
I enjoyed this book, it was like reading a documentary. I'd like to know more about the Russian family, but found it interesting the gaps she left out. Particularly how she talks about the beginning of a relationship but never talks about how it ends.
February 24, 2020
Excellent! Gives a lot of insight into the life of an actress. She has a great sense of humor and a surprisingly entertaining writing style. She's very open with her family photographs, which is admirable.
Read
November 9, 2021I loved this illustrated auto bio. Mirren’s family history is fascinating, and the photos are fun too. I also ended up watching her in The Passion of Ayn Rand (yes, there is quite a bit of passion in the movie!!!) even though I have never read any Ayn Rand and don’t intend to start now.
July 4, 2025
If you love Helen Mirren, this is a must read
I’ve always admired Helen Mirren and was excited to read her book. It has lots of great pictures and takes you through her life on and off the set. I only wish there had been some shots of the movie Red.
I’ve always admired Helen Mirren and was excited to read her book. It has lots of great pictures and takes you through her life on and off the set. I only wish there had been some shots of the movie Red.
December 19, 2017
Chatty and informative autobiography with copious photographs of her.
October 24, 2018
Such a talented, exceptional, beautiful woman.
June 28, 2019
Actually 3.5 stars. I’ve always admired Helen Mirren and this book had loads of pictures of her throughout her career.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews