| Level | Item |
| Ref No | GUA/9/4/1/4/3/5 |
| Title | John Hurt |
| Date | 25 April 2000 |
| Extent | 1 audio cassette tape, 2 WAV files (669 MB and 297.3 MB) |
| Creator Name | British Film Institute (BFI), 1933- |
| Guardian News & Media Ltd, 1967- |
| Description | Audio recording of an interview with actor John Hurt in front of a live audience as part of the Guardian sponsored National Film Theatre Guardian interview series.
The recording begins with Geoff Andrew of the National Film Theatre introducing the event and a selection of clips showcasing Hurt's work. Host Adrian Wootton then proceeds to put questions to Hurt. The whole of track 2 comprises a question and answer session with members of the audience.
A summary of the topics discussed is included below.
Track 1:
00.00 Introductions and film clips
14.38 Why and how John Hurt became an actor
20.52 Experiences of cinema as a child
23.12 Interest in French and Italian cinema
24.25 His film debut in the Wild and the Willing
26.05 Comparison between film and stage acting
28.29 Preparation for acting roles
33.20 What attracts him to particular acting roles
36.26 Approach to comedic acting
37.57 Approach to playing real people
40.14 Feeling empathy with characters
42.58 His role in the Elephant Man
50.37 Having a role in the creative process
52.40 Favourite memories from his career
54.43 Views on directing a film
55.45 Views on his career to date
59.36 Admiration for Alec Guiness
01.00.50 Being perceived as a brave actor
Track 2:
00.00 Emotionally draining roles
02.05 Knowing who he is
03.00 His voice acting career
08.00 The film [Heaven's Gate]
10.20 Discusses a scene in an unidentified film
12.06 Acting in sci-fi films
13.19 Involvement in Beckett on Film
14.47 How he would like to be remembered
17.35 Quentin Crisp
21.30 Misgivings about film making
23.17 Jim Jarmusch
24.04 Working in theatre compared to film
26.00 Alternative career paths
26.36 Adrian Wootton closes the interview.
Films mentioned in the course of the interview include: The Wild and the Willing; Scandal; Crime and Punishment; Love and Death in Long Island; The Hit; Heaven's Gate; Beckett of Film; The Naked Civil Servant; Elephant Man; Alien and Night Train. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | Access to recording via GNM Digital Repository |
| Related Material | Possible duplicate on MiniDisc. Details at http://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmItems/154381595 |
| Format | Electronic record |
| Tape recording |