Movie Talk with Brian Cox
Description
Actor Brian Cox discusses his first major film Manhunter 1986 directed by Michael Mann. He won the role of Dr Hannibal Lecter whilst doing a play off Broadway. A casting director in the audience decided to put him on tape 'mainly because of his voice' and the part was his. Two years later, Anthony Hopkins famously reprised the role. Both very different portrayals of the character with Cox explaining 'I played him insane and Tony played him mad'. The next film is Hidden Agenda 1990 directed by Ken Loach, a very personal project for Cox as it's set in Northern Ireland, and he has strong Celtic roots. Rob Roy 1995 and Braveheart 1995 came about at the same time, Cox was wanted for both, directors Michael Canton-Jones and Mel Gibson were supportive, allowing him to shoot the two similar films. Cox shot them back to back - not even having to change hotel rooms in Fort William. Cox talks about his fondness of Braveheart and Mel Gibson, whom he describes as 'a great director, underrated'. Next comes The Boxer 1997- 'a great film' with Daniel Day-Lewis and Emily Watson, ultimately they had to re-shoot the ending, and as Cox was on holiday he had to film his part separately. The Bourne Identity 2002 a very stylistic movie starring Matt Damon, Cox talks about the scene where he finally meets Damon's character for the big showdown, 'monster and creator moment.' Troy 2004 is next, here Cox discusses the costumes referencing the apparent lack of one for co-star Brad Pitt. Following this is 25th Hour 2002 directed by Spike Lee, Cox plays a fire-fighter opposite Edward Norton. The ending had to be re-shot and they went to the salt flats in Texas which he describes as having 'a poetic quality'. Cox admires Spike Lee putting him in his top five best directors he has worked with. Coriolanus 2011 with first time director Ralph Fiennes who Cox describes as 'astonishing' and having a remarkable debut'. The last film discussed is The Escapist 2008 with another first time director Rupert Wyatt, Cox plays a family man and policeman with early stage dementia. Cox closes by discussing his time at the Donmar theatre and the differences between acting on film and on the stage.