Check out the archived interviews on NPR--they just re broadcast a Terri Gross interview with Alec Guinness. He admired the above mentioned pantheon of British actors---felt he was not in that league.

He requested to be killed off in the Star Wars film.

Bridge on The River Kwai. He states, in the interview, he reluctantly took the role because he did not believe in the character---there are people like that, but he cannot empathize with them.

Fascinating interview.

Bill H