Interview with Director

Pleasance (PC): You’ve used lots of inspiring shots of Britain in the film – have you ever been inspired by a film to visit the location?
 
Justin (JC): I did go past where they shot Pride and Prejudice, so I did nip in and have a look in there and it’s amazing. I went to visit a cathedral where they shot the Da Vinci Code [Rosslyn Cathedral] and there was a Da Vinci Code tour round there, it was amazing.

PC: Of all the amazing historical sites you used while filming, did you have a favourite?

JC: Westminster Abbey – and we nearly shot in Westminster Abbey but it just didn’t work out – it’s a stunning, stunning location. I think we’re spoilt for choice in this country for locations. For a filmmaker, I went up and down the country, went into all those fantastic places – you go round the National Trust properties where you see those little doors and you go ‘I’d love to go in there’ and I was the person that was able to do that.

I think Ely Cathedral is stunningly beautiful. It’s an amazing cathedral, you can’t believe the age of it and that those men and women built this huge space. But there are lots of intimate places like Dorney Court – that family there have a beautiful, lovely house. So I think we’re really lucky in this country to have such a wealth of beautiful locations, particularly for someone like me who’s trying to make a film that’s set in reality and wants to be truthful and gritty and use as many real locations as possible.

PC: A lot of these locations are now some of Britain’s most important heritage sites; do you find that they still hold the atmosphere and excitement of Henry’s reign?

JC: Yes, definitely. Striding down these corridors with my designer over one shoulder and location manager, these big corridors where the Duke of Norfolk has strode down and standing in Dover Castle and Penshurst Place, it really makes you think ‘Wow, these amazing rooms are still here, we still have them’. My job is to strip off the stuff that’s happened in between and work with the people caring for them to make them feel authentic and real for what I want, but also preserve them for the future.

PC: As a Brit, you’ve grown up with these amazing buildings and heritage around you. What did the American cast members make of it all?

JC: They loved it! It was so great for them – Eric [Bana] brought his family over, and his son was as much interested as I was in where Anne Boleyn got beheaded and these different places that we went to on our grand tour. I remember the Sony execs coming over – you think they’re going to be talking to you about the budget, and the guy was like ‘Wow, look at this!’ taking photographs, making me take photographs of him. There’s just a real joy for us as filmmakers to be able to use these rich locations that we’ve got.

PC: While filming in rural areas like the Peak District or the Kent countryside, you must have had the opportunity to stay at some traditional countryside accommodation. Are there any hidden gems you can tell us about? 
 
JC: I stayed in a lot of B&B’s, there are so many. Look on the internet – I think the internet is pretty good, that’s what we did as a production company. I don’t like to travel a lot so I just wanted to be very close to all the places, but I was really impressed by the standard of accommodation that’s out there.

PC: Did any of the cast turn out to be hell raisers of the Oliver Reid, Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton variety who had the habit of taking over local village pubs whilst filming during the 60s and 70s?

JC: Yes, the crew did enjoy themselves, and the cast. But that was part of the job and part of the fun of making the film.

PC: Dover Castle is reputedly one of the most haunted sites in Britain. Did you have any strange experiences during filming?

JC: I knew there was something happening there. That was the most difficult scene that we had to shoot – we were trapped in there for 8 hours while this tornado was happening. And there’s a very odd, strange feeling there – I actually did one of my best scenes there. But I can imagine that Dover Castle’s haunted, because there’s a funny feeling in there. We were there for days, we couldn’t get out – me and Scarlett were going ‘Are we ever going to finish? Are we ever going to get out of this place?’ And it’s quite a scary building, great location.

PC: We can’t avoid talking about the weather in Britain – what was it like when you were filming?

JC: We were washed out sometimes, but that’s just one of those things. And when the sun comes out, it’s such a fantastic feeling.

PC: What would your perfect day in Britain be?

JC: There are so many beautiful sights that I’d like to see. I’d like to explore Bath more with my family, with my wife and my children, because I thought there was beautiful countryside there, and it’s a beautiful place, so if there’s anywhere, it would be Bath with my family.