Warning:There are a number of spoilers forIroncladin the first half of this interview.
Hammer has since returned, but choseLet Me Inas one of its first high-profile productions.
Thats an issue for another time, though.
Lets also not forget how unacceptably handsome Purefoy is, either.
There was very good reason for him to referred to as James Puresex on theA Knights Talecommentary.
Five or twenty five (minutes?)
Mark and I replied in unison.
Jesus Christ are we going to fill that!
he humbly joked, which immediately broke any formality.
He then asked if wed seen the film and what we thought.
Its quite intense isnt it?
I think once youve done it before [it helps]…
I think producers also need to feel that a man can wield the sword.
DoG: How did your involvement withIroncladstart?
Mike, being Mike, said Hes shit.
No Mike, being Mike, said No, hes doing well, hes great, hes fine.
It just got me curious.
I mean the whole pig thing, for example, is just brilliant.
DoG: I figured it was, because its the kind of thing you cant make up!
The director also seemed to have an eye for detail, for that period.
I think it was the first thing he found.
I think he found that bit of information out and went wow and then worked backwards from that point.
DoG: So burning pigs, castle…
Yeah… castle, knights, who are these guys?
So I think that was the thing he found out first.
It is the most extraordinary detail.
His life of violence is coming at a heavy price to him.
DoG: Its integral isnt it?
Well, Jamie Foremans character does a bit, but thats because hes a psychopath, you know?
And Templar knights, I did a lot of reading about Templar knights, and I find them fascinating.
DoG: And I think it is interesting that genre movies can put that message across…
They can make that little link.
Theres a little link there, that can go back and back and I find that fascinating.
Obedience is one of the fascinating things I found out.
Despite the fact they were enormously powerful, incredibly rich and a big threat to monarchies all over Europe.
Its like Al Capone!
I think thats precisely the case.
Somehow, Jonathan English wanted Max von Sydow to come on board!
I mean, Jesus Christ!
I mean you cant just take the entire cast and put them in another film.
I mean, I know you like it!
DoG: Is Jonathan English friends with Michael Bassett, then?
I think they know each other, yeah.
They are great in the film, really great.
I think Mackenzie just does something very, very…
When I saw the film, a lot of the girls were going, Mackenzie Crook looks sooo sexy!
DoG: He seems to have an amazing intensity all the time on screen.
I find that repellent.
DoG: It is worrying, meeting heroes, as much as you differentiate between on-screen and real life.
I think that it is one of my constant worries…
It is slightly heartbreaking, when it goes awry like that, and a bit pear shaped.
Everybody had their moments and everybody was glad to give people their moments.
It certainly helped we were all staying in the same hotel in Cardiff and drank it dry!
OWF: So its contractual that you dont go off and get rollocked!
DoG: You could be the start of the new old school!
OWF: If I could ask about the actual production and financing of the film?
Do you think it will hopefully open doors to more projects like it?
DoG: Is that what draws you in?
Once theyve bought the movie, you fuck off.
That seems to be how it goes to me.
It was top of the DVD charts for two weeks here, so thats where they made their money.
I am really worried there wont be a sequel, because on a selfish level, I want more.
The trouble is, again, I dont know whats happening with any release in America.
I dont even know if there is a DVD release in America.
I dont understand it.
OWF: It is such a unique character.
And I think, I have no idea.
Maybe well make it into a TV series, I dont know.
DoG: Would you be in the TV series?
Well just have to see.
DoG: Talking of projects, you mentionedJohn Carter Of Mars.We were saying we know virtually nothing about it.
I dont know if you could talk about it?
We shot it, when did we finish shooting it?
He is brilliant, I think hes extraordinary.
DoG: And that he could have an entire narrative with nothing!
I dont like seeing myself on-screen, and I dont watch myself very much.
We were working with these Tharks, which are these nine-foot-tall monsters, and they have four arms.
I mean thats well known, as its in the books, but who was it?
You know its Willem Dafoe in a pyjama suit!
DoG: It should be quite a revelation for you when you do get to see it.
Im looking forward to it!
I remember years ago when you had the small part, the cameo inA Knights Tale…
The James Bond card, if it comes up…
It will never come up.
Im too old to play Bond and rightly so.
I mean Daniel, you know that ship has sailed with Captain Craig at the helm!
Therell be other things.
DoG: I had to ask.
Ill just do other stuff instead.
Ironcladis released in cinemas across the UK on the 4th March, and is thoroughly recommended.
