(Cover) - EN Movies - Sir Anthony Hopkins has claimed that alcohol gave him "special energy" for acting.

The Oscar-winning actor suffered from drinking problems for many years before finally giving up in 1975. However, he has claimed that alcohol made acting easier for him during the early days of his career.

"Alcohol gave me that special energy. This energy made it easier for me to immerse in different, darker worlds," the 73-year-old actor told German magazine P.M. CIT. "It's a fine line between creativity and insanity."

Despite remaining clean and sober Anthony still loves playing dark roles, most memorably as Hannibal Lecter in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs a role he went on reprise a further two times. And he revealed that he "always had fun playing these complex types".

"As soon as you internalise and understand your dark side you can play any murderer," he added. "I think we all have these fear of evil from childhood on - no matter in which form."

Anthony recently starred in superhero blockbuster Thor. (C) Cover Media