A legend of British cinema, Sir Michael Caine is as well known for the duds in his career as the hits. But when they've been good they've been very good, with his best loved performances coming in Zulu, The Ipcress File, Alfie, The Italian Job, Get Carter, Sleuth and The Man Who Would Be King. And that only brings us up to 1975. The last 30 years have seen him win two Oscars - for Hannah & Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules - and a BAFTA for Educating Rita. In Batman Begins, he plays Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, Alfred.

Did you base your portrayal of Alfred upon anyone?

My mother used to be a cook during the war and when we were evacuated to rich houses there were many, many butlers that we worked with. I was only a little boy and they were always rather scary figures. But in my back-story for Alfred I made him a soldier as well. The two main things about Alfred are that he is tough and he is loyal. So in my own mind, his voice is the voice of my first sergeant in the army.

Batman is a hero to many. Did you have any particular childhood heroes of your own?

When I was six my father went to fight in the war, so he was my big hero. I thought he was the greatest thing.

What are your thoughts on your young co-stars, Christian Bale and Katie Holmes?

They're marvellous. And it's great because, if I work with a bad actor, my own reaction is to immediately become worse than they are. Christian and Katie are wonderful at what they do and extremely experienced. It was a privilege to work with both of them.

So you wouldn't mind returning for a sequel then?

Not at all. Actually a guy told me recently that in one of the comics Bruce Wayne dresses up Alfred as Batman to act as a decoy. I think Alfred dressed as Batman would be one of the funniest scenes ever, so I hope Christopher bears that in mind if he was to write it.

Is it nice, at the age of 72, to still be in such demand for big movies like this?

It's great for me, because I spent 30 years of my life not being wanted at all for films. So I'm just over the double, I'm ahead. I love being wanted. But I haven't worked since November so I'm getting a bit worried now.

Batman Begins is released in UK cinemas on Thursday 16th June.