Article Category: Interviews

Interview addresses Hidalgo, Viggo Mortensen's films, and his other pursuits: "As a kid, you wonder about all the adventures you are going to have and you imagine exploring the world," he says, in his soft, deliberate manner. "Most people, after a while, sort of repress that desire and instead live in a box and never attempt it but I wanted adventure, still do, and so I try a lot of things."

Excellent interview with Viggo Mortensen about the Hidalgo, his version of "method" acting, and how painting, writing, and fishing can take the place of resting between takes. "People talk about Method actors... The right method is whatever works for you. And what works for me on any given day is going to be different."

Is there life after The Lord of the Rings? Viggo Mortensen thinks so. Having played Aragorn, the reluctant king-to-be in all three movies, Mortensen is switching horses (literally) and genres–from fantasy to history. In his new movie, Hidalgo, Mortensen plays Frank T. Hopkins, a real-life 19th-century cowboy and endurance rider who’s invited by a sheik […]

The subject is Hidalgo; the interviewer focuses on Viggo Mortensen's modest manner. "Mortensen is a bit like Aragorn, the Lord of the Rings character he imbued with warrior grace and more than a bit of ambivalence. He seems primed for a kingdom. Yet Mortensen doesn't appear to need the glory. He's happy forming alliances. He's comfortable doing the work. He's not quite as at ease promoting the work, or rather himself."

The king is fidgety. In an elegant, dimly lit ballroom in Dallas’ Adolphus Hotel, the light from a single heavily draped window illuminates Viggo Mortensen, star of multi-Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the newly released Hidalgo. But he seems more interested in chatting about his book of photographs, […]

Interview about Hidalgo touches on mythology and philosophy of life. When asked about whether it troubles him that the facts behind the film are in question, he points out that "our identity as a nation is largely based on myth, on storytelling, making up stories, exaggerating the accomplishments of extraordinary individuals," and goes on to talk about the themes of tests and ordeals in the film.

In his broken-in gray warm-up jacket, green flannel shirt and bare feet, he looks laid-back and easy-going. He sips a thick blend of green tea from a small, egg-shaped wooden cup through a silver straw. He speaks surprisingly softly and smiles easily and frequently. But then you remember that this is the same actor who […]

Interview about Hidalgo touches on politics and Viggo's choice of films. Excerpt: "I'm pretty long in the tooth," the 45-year-old says. "Money and fame don't seem very rewarding. Of course there is the 'iron is hot' argument. Who knows? Maybe in 10 years I'll look back and say I should have gone for the money," he adds with a grin.

Viggo talks about Hidalgo as a story that appeals to his love of mythology and the hero's journey. "I like the big stories and the big landscapes. I guess I am interested in ordeals, whether you are in the Sahara desert or you're in New Zealand or wherever, but I also like small stories that can take place in a room, in a kitchen sink drama.... Any ordeal clears and purifies your vision of yourself and how you fit in or don't fit into the world. Those are the stories I am drawn to." Other topics include Frank Hopkins, mustangs, history, politics, and the Middle East. In other words, just a typical Viggo Mortensen interview.

Standard Hidalgo interview with a nice quote from Viggo about working with Omar Sharif: "One of the great things about this experience was working with Omar; his casting was very important to the movie. It was already a good story, but him playing that part was a perfect piece of casting. It lifted the movie to another level, and personally it was a lot of fun to work closely with him and pester him for stories about making Lawrence of Arabia with David Lean and Peter O'Toole."

Article and interview. After the release of Hidalgo, Viggo returned to South Dakota to participate in a trail ride and speak with Native Voice about the film, Miyelo, Native American culture, and the challenges facing people today. He also talks about the cost of stardom and his commitment to his fans: "You know, for me to look each person in the eye and listen to their question and answer them, and get their name right and be respectful—that takes a certain amount of energy for complete concentration.... At the end of the day you don’t have anything left, sometimes, for yourself. You have to find ways to hide out, that's all."

Viggo Mortensen was the last of the leading actors to join the cast of The Lord of the Rings, but today it is difficult to separate them. While he is not reluctant and doesn’t know any tracking techniques like Aragorn, the star is always involved in politics and in the struggle for citizen’s basic rights. […]

Step right up ladies and gents–and let me tell you all about the incredible shrinking leading man. Throughout Hollywood’s history we’ve seen our fair share of rugged manly-men, willing to risk it all in the name of a good cause or perhaps the right girl. Back in the day, we had Gable, Brando and even […]

This 12-page pictorial spread focuses on Viggo Mortensen in his role as Aragorn. In the interview, Viggo talks about his relationship with Uraeus, the horse who played Brego, working with the stunt team and training in swordplay, and his thoughts on the extended editions of the films.

have the 1st page only, remainder is missing

Comments from Viggo and other cast and crew regarding the filming of The Two Towers and their opinions of the extended version of The Fellowship of the Ring.

Being three-foot-six tall, with pointy ears and hairy feet, may not seem like an enviable job. Especially when it involves being in New Zealand, away from family and friends, for 15 months. Plus 12 to 14 hour days, often in remote locations, with new physical skills to learn and scenes that had to be repeated […]

A barefoot Viggo Mortensen talks about Tolkien's work and his role as Aragorn. "He was the greatest traveler and huntsman of his age," Mortensen says about his quiet, stoic role. "There is no character in this story, in these books, that has traveled more extensively and had more contact with other cultures, races, languages, and an appreciation and understanding of the differences of all the free peoples of Middle-earth.... He has an understanding that the most precious thing that any intelligent being possesses is free choice."

After discussing his art and acting career, Viggo talks about The Lord of the Rings--book and movies. "In this movie, I had three directors: Tolkien, Peter Jackson and, of course, my own conscience. Tolkien and Jackson are different media, different men, but I've worked for both of them. While the first was very interested in exploring codes, poetry, history, the second is a film maker who likes entertainment, and that's why he centered his work more in the action episodes than in the reflective ones." He continues, "I found my strongest link to this author when I got to know the tongues, the languages that he made up for each race. That is why I miss certain things from the book, like some of the songs and above all, the languages that were born of this incredible man."

With The Fellowship of the Ring, the first installment of the epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy, having become a massive box office and critical hit over this past holiday season, director Peter Jackson, its producers and the studio behind the fantasy franchise, New Line Cinema, are breathing easier these days. With an initial […]