Danny Boyle's London Olympic Opening Ceremony [VIDEO]

Danny Boyle was in charge of the much-anticipated opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics. The acclaimed director describes himself as a "just a story teller" on his Twitter page, but he had quite the story planned for the opening ceremony.

If the name sounds familiar, it's because you've most likely seen one of his films. Boyle is best known for "Trainspotting," "28 Days Later ... ," and "Slumdog Millionaire," which won eight Academy Awards, including the one for best director.

Boyle explained to the Province why he was excited to be a part of the 2012 London Olympics.

"My dad was a mad Olympics fan," Boyle said. "I mean, seriously a lunatic, sitting up all night, watching grainy pictures from Mexico or wherever, you know? And he introduced me to the Olympics, really."

Boyle's father died 18 months ago, and his father's birthday was Friday, the Province said.

Boyle has been tight-lipped about the ceremony, even while in a room filled with journalists from around the world. "I have done theatre, got a background in theatre, but I have never done anything on this scale," Boyle said. "They have their own template, stadium shows, they really do, and you have to inhabit that and try to manipulate it as well, try to make it your own."

Earlier Friday Boyle tweeted: "Wish me luck for tonight! #Olympics #Opening #Ceremony."

The opening ceremony began at 9 p.m. BST (4 p.m. EDT).

In an interview posted on YouTube, Boyle explained that the show tells a story. "There are lots of issues to do with waiting times, to do with closing hospitals, opening hospitals -- we are not getting into those kind of details, it is not that kind of thing," he said. "In terms of our belief we have set up ... one of the ways the core value of our society expresses itself is that it does not matter who you are, you will get treated the same in terms of universal health care."

Boyle, 55, signed up to construct the opening ceremony without interference from the government, the Province said.

"We have been allowed to express ourselves," Boyle said. "I hope we have expressed ourselves responsibly, as well. We have tried to represent as many people as possible, but not in a box-ticking way, in a heartfelt way."

Danny Boyle said he hoped he was able to please everyone with his show. "I hope you feel when you see the show that you believe we delivered value for money," he said. "I try and do that in my films. I try and make them look like $100-million films but cost $20. So if it looks like a $100-million evening and it cost $27, then I will obviously be delighted."

Boyle must have thought the show went well because at 5:16 p.m. EDT time, he tweeted, "I love you all!" and "Proud to be British."

Did you catch the opening ceremony and like it?