Malcolm McDowell - Fanning the Flames, Exclusive Interview
Malcolm McDowell - Fanning the Flames, Exclusive Interview
Find out which of Malcolm's movies he really wants you to see!
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Interview by Staci Layne Wilson
Staci Layne Wilson: When I talked to you on set for the first Halloween, it was sort of a different vibe; another atmosphere afterward at the junket as well. You guys just all seemed different this time around for H2. Do you think it's because it's a grimmer film or because you, as Loomis, weren't integrated with the cast like you were in the last one?
Malcolm McDowell: It was meant to be that way. Loomis was the only one to really get anything out of it monetarily. He's basically making a living on the backs of these poor people, and so he was very much separated from the whole deal. You can't repeat all that. We've already had that, so we had to make it different. I love the idea that he's on a book tour. That's so typical of a [self-promoting author].
Wilson: It's a fun character to play with. I'm wondering if there's any sort of character that you have not yet played that you would like to. Is there some new challenge around the corner that you're looking at?
McDowell: I'm sure there is, but I never-ever think in my mind who I'd love to play because it's one sure way to disappoint yourself. You can only play what you're offered at the end of the day. If you're not offered something, why even worry about it?
Wilson: That's true, but I've talked to you on Heroes and these things before. You always make it sound like things just kind of happen to you, and you are just there when good fortune smiles, but nobody has a career like you without a little bit of ingenuity behind it.
McDowell: Look — I hope when I work I deliver so people want me to be in their stuff. Very few people, very few actors, are left who sort of do what I do. We're getting less and less, the older you get, but I think that it's weird. The only part that I've not played, funny enough, is a detective.
Wilson: Really?
McDowell: I have never played a cop, a detective. I always thought I'd be a rather good one, so I'm amazed I haven't played one, but that's it. You know, it doesn't really matter. That's just the job. Who you are inside is something else, but it's interesting that I've never been offered that.
Wilson: You get to work with a lot of new talented directors.
McDowell: Neil [Marshall] was one of the better ones. He's a terrific talent. I like that movie he did, where I just pop-up.
Wilson: Yeah, Doomsday was a lot of fun. It was a great throw back.
McDowell: I loved my bit. I enjoyed that.
Wilson: I kind of wished you were in it more, but that's the way: Leave them wanting more.
McDowell: That is good. That's what I want. Same with Halloween II. Make them say, "He wasn't in it enough!" That's always great.
Wilson: Now, with Rob [Zombie], working with him, he comes from a very theatrical background being a rock star. But he doesn't really have that vibe at all day-to-day. Is he very laid back on set too, because it sounds as though he kind of lets all the actors do what they want to do… Or does he just make you think you're doing what you want to do?
McDowell: Yeah. At the end of the day, he's in the editing room making the choices. He basically is the puppet master. When you're on set, you do your thing. He usually loves it. We always have incredible fun on set. Mary [Birdsong] and I love being on set with him because it's just one laugh after the other. He gets a great kick out of it. I think he loved the way Loomis went in being such an asshole [on the talk show] and all that. I think he got a great kick like I did out of seeing where it would go. Then, of course, the whole redemption thing kind of at the end which was sort of a nice moment, you know.
Wilson: He did that in the Devil's Rejects, too. It seems like he loves those talk show formats to tell another bit of a character's other sides.
McDowell: Yeah, that was a terrific film.
Wilson: I love the Devil's Rejects. [It's] one of my all time favorites. Another great film right now is Tarantino's new one Inglourious Basterds. Is it true that you just learned today that David Bowie's Cat People song, "Putting Out The Fire" is featured in it?
McDowell: Yeah, I had no idea. I haven't seen the film. I love Quentin's work. He's made some fabulous movies. He'd be one person that I'd like to work with one day. I think we'd bring out the best in each other.
Wilson: He always puts such thought into every little thing. The Cat People song is very integral to the story, and it opens up a whole new chapter in his cinematic style — so you've gotta see it.
McDowell: [Nods]
Wilson: Everyone knows Cat People. We know A Clockwork Orange. We know Caligula. We know your high-profile films…
McDowell: …Do you think it would be interesting to remake Cat People?
Wilson: I don't know. I actually wrote a book about animals in the movies, and Cat People is one of the chapters that I loved to write because I watched the movie again in order to write about it. Schrader did so many interesting things with those panthers and the meshing of animals and humans, but I don't know... I think it would be too CGI'd now. I kind of like the [subconscious] danger of the real cats. And who would play your roles now? There's really no one with the zeal of you and Nastassja together.
McDowell: I could come back as the same character. Well, let's see. It's a great title, too.
Wilson: The original Val Lewton one I still love, and [both versions are] so different, seems like it could be reinvented again. [But] What I was sort of getting at is that we know your iconic roles, so I'm wondering if there's a film of yours that you would recommend to fans which you feel is underrated that maybe people haven't seen enough of?
McDowell: Yes, I think a couple. The most interesting I've done is a film called Evilenko which is about a Russian serial killer. It's an amazing film. It came out, I think, like three years ago, four years ago. It's one of the best performances I've ever given, and no one ever saw it. It's a great shame. A friend of mine directed it and wrote it. I'm very proud of it. It's called Evilenko and it can be found on DVD here. That's the one I'd recommend. I also did a one man film of me talking just off the top of my head basically about my relationship with Lindsay Anderson. That's called Never Apologize, and I get to read some of his letters and diaries and stuff. It is a documentary. [But] it's a performance. It's not me just being me. It's me being me, performing.
Wilson: Interesting. How did that idea come about?
McDowell: It came about because I was asked to go to the Edinburgh Festival to open a retrospective of Lindsay Anderson's work. When they asked me to do it I said, "Look, I'll do better than that. I'll do a show about him, about my relationship with him and of how these movies were made and what the influences were," and they were thrilled. "As long as you give me a good theater," and they did. That's how it started.
Wilson: It was you actually who convinced me to see (If) and O Lucky Man from the last time we talked. I had not seen them before.
McDowell: Oh, right. Aren't they amazing?
Wilson: Yeah! They really are. I think that people should definitely go back and revisit the classics and look forward to what you're doing next.
McDowell: Well, thank you. That's sweet.
[end]
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Related Coverage
- General Interview with Malcolm McDowell Focusing on H2
- Exclusive Video Interview With Malcolm McDowell from Halloween 2007
- Horror.com Review of Halloween 2007 and Halloween II: H2
- General Interview with Rob Zombie Focusing on H2