Movie Talk with Jenny Agutter
Description
Actress Jenny Agutter discusses her film Tin 2015 a micro budget film about the Tin industry in Cornwall, Agutter plays an opera singer in 1895. Agutter discusses how she began acting aged 11 and her breakout film the classic The Railway Children 1970 directed by Lionel Jeffries and written by E. Nesbitt. Agutter talks of how the film really is about maintaining innocence, she later starred as the mother in the re-make in 2000. Walkabout 1971 directed by Nick Roeg whom she describes as an artist and the film being an 'extraordinary multi-layered story'. Agutter reflects on her 'vivid' time spent as a 16 year old filming in the Outback of Australia for 3 months. When watching the film now, she has a different take on it, it seems darker now, a bleak take on humanity. Logan's Run 1976 is a graphically stylish Sci-Fi film pre-Star Wars and directed by Michael Anderson became a cult classic. Agutter then went to Hollywood and signed a contract with MGM and worked consistently until moving back to Britain. Next discussed is The Eagle Has Landed 1976 directed by John Sturges and starring Michael Caine. Agutter describes working on the film and it's classic film status. Equus 1977 a film that started out as a very successful but controversial play directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Peter Firth. Agutter describes working with Lumet and his style of direction being particularly theatrical, they rehearsed a lot and then went on to only shoot one or two takes during a scene. She then goes on to list many of the iconic directors she has worked with. An American Werewolf in London 1981 directed by John Landis a horror/comedy film largley shot in London and most famously Piccadilly Circus. Agutter decided to do the film because the part wasn't a typical female 'victim' horror film role. She liked her character 'that ended up falling in love with the wrong guy'. Last to be discussed is Queen of the Desert 2015 directed by Werner Herzog who she describes as disciplined, inventive and a director who likes to push boundaries. After 50 years in the business Agutter looks at the potential of the project overall and not just her role.