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A&E: How does it feel to have
the two new Horatio Hornblower movies about to come out?
Ioan Gruffudd: I'm very, very excited
because I've seen them both, and I think they're brilliant, I must admit. I
think Andrew Grieve, the director, has done a fantastic job, and it looks
fantastic, and all the other actors are superb, and I'm quietly pleased at what
I did as well. And I they're just as good as the first series, so I'm very
pleased.
A&E: What did it feel like to come back to the
set of Hornblower after being away?
IG: I must admit, when I heard that we
weren't sailing, that we didn't have a ship this time, that we had a set
instead, I was a bit disappointed. But it was much easier because we could put
the camera wherever we wanted to, and we could use special effects to good
effect. I think that's part of the reason why it looks so much better this time.
I was also a little apprehensive personally, putting on the uniform again. I put
a lot of expectation on myself and felt a bit of expectation having had the
first series been so successful. But that sort of wore off after a week or so,
and I sank into the character much better after that and I loved it.
A&E: How did the experience of the first series
affect your approach to Hornblower in the latest movies?
IG: Once that confidence came back, I did
enjoy playing him just as much. You can't really compare the two series, because
in the first one he was just a boy growing into a man. And this time, he is a
man, so I didn't have that sort of transition to act. But also I've matured and
developed a lot, physically as well as emotionally, and as an actor I think I've
developed a lot as well. So, he is going to be much different and much stronger
this time.
A&E: Some people have expressed concern about
the two new movies being different from the book. What do you think?
IG: We can't just do the books, because some
of the stuff is just not possible. We have to develop the characters. But we
also have to get permission from the C. S. Forester estate if we want to make
any changes. And you have to beef up the stories as well, so there is poetic
license. I don't think we take too many liberties with that. But I can
understand people being worried about that—but that's what the books are for.
The books are the originals, and we tried to [stay true to them] as much as we
can, but sometimes we can't.
A&E: Was it difficult to portray
the close friendships in these stories, what with all the action and adventure?
IG: This time it was easier because it is a
very character-driven piece. I think they both go hand in hand. Through the
action, you get to know people quite well, because it's a lot of fun. And I have
kept in touch with people like Jamie Bamber and Sean Gilder, who played Styles.
We have formed a friendship from the first series that still remains. The new
actors who came in feel that warmth and that friendliness and I think that helps
them to relax into it.
A&E: It seems a real camaraderie has formed
between the actors of Hornblower. Why do you think that is?
IG: We've spent six months with each other,
and you don't often get that in television and in film—to spend such a long time
together. You do in the theater, when you travel around doing a tour. You spend
so much time with people that inevitably you're going to get to know them quite
well.
A&E: Have you read the books and which one is
your favorite?
IG: I have read them all, and Hornblower
and the Hotspur I like a lot.
A&E: How does it feel to be a part of a series
that has such an incredibly concentrated following?
IG: I'm overwhelmed by it, to be honest with
you. When I first saw the Internet sites, I wasn't aware of them. Somebody had
mentioned them to me, and I must be honest, I'm computer illiterate. I don't own
a computer and I don't surf the Web daily, and I don't write emails. So I was
blown away by it. I just couldn't get over it, and I still can't get over it.
And I'm so, obviously, quite flattered by the whole thing, because they are
talking about the scenes that I've been involved in—and also to be part of those
brilliant books that C. S. Forester wrote. I'm quite honored that it has had
that affect, and I want people to know that I do appreciate it immensely. And
that I'm very proud of the response.
A&E: Was there anything that surprised you about
all the Hornblower sites on the Internet?
IG: I was overwhelmed. But also because I
didn't understand how the whole thing works, I was a bit scared. I said, Wow,
gosh, this is quite extraordinary. But then I'm always touched with the efforts
that everybody makes. I'm so proud of that. That devotion to it is
extraordinary, and I will always be forever grateful for it, because it does
introduce new people to Hornblower and probably to read books. To be part of
something like that, I'm very flattered.
A&E: Why do you think the
Hornblower stories have touched people so much?
IG: I think it's because of the
history—because they're loosely based around something that actually happened:
the British Navy fighting and the Napoleonic War. The history attracts people.
And also seeing men in that environment,—and such a tough environment it
is—seeing how vulnerable they are. And how honorable they try to be. I think
there is a certain nostalgia about honor. And I think it is diminishing a bit in
the 21st century. People aren't as honorable.
A&E: What has been one of the best experiences
about working on the new films?
IG: I personally love working with everyone
immensely, but if I have to single out an actor that I love working with, I love
working with Paul Copley, who plays Matthews. I'm just completely at my ease
when I act with him.
A&E: To what would you attribute the ease you
have with Paul Copley?
IG: You can't put a finger on it. You know,
some people you feel very comfortable in their company, but sometimes there are
those people that you feel comfortable with when you're acting. It doesn't feel
like acting when I'm with him, because I respect him so much as a person and as
a actor and there's something about the relationship that Matthews and
Hornblower have, that we've developed, that is quite endearing. We have this
mutual respect for each other, even though in rank I'm higher than him.
A&E: Of all the films, which has been you're
favorite and why?
IG: Of the first series, I love The Frogs
& the Lobsters. In that movie, Hornblower has developed into more of a man,
I think, compared to when he first arrives. And I enjoyed the location and story
and action.
A&E: How would you describe Hornblower's
personality?
IG: He's a very cerebral sort of character.
Where I sort of act on instinct and emotion, he's very cerebral, very thought
out, very clear. He's compassionate towards everybody and towards his cause and
towards the fight for justice against injustice. He's very loyal. I think he's
charming because of that. He is vulnerable. He's very human and very heroic. He
is heroic because he is so human. People find that amazing, extraordinary. He's
got this ability of getting people to do things they don't necessarily want to
do by instilling confidence in them, and not shouting at them—he's not a leader
in that sort of sense.
A&E: How much of Ioan would you
say comes out in the character of Hornblower?
IG: Well, I suppose quite a lot. It's
difficult not to, because it is me playing him. This is going to sound
egotistical, because he's such a brilliant character, but I suppose there are
aspects like the loyalty and the compassion and the honorable aspects of him
that I think I possess. But as I said, I'm probably more instinctive and
emotional than he is. Also, Hornblower is tone deaf, and I'm actually quite
musical. Hornblower is scared of heights, and I'm not really that scared. But we
do both get the same seasickness feeling. But I don't actually get physically
sick. But I get that sort of feeling.
A&E: Of all of the locations you've worked in so
far, which one has been your favorite and why?
IG: Menorca [Spain]. Portugal was fantastic
as well. Just the fact that you could go swimming in the Mediterranean at the
end of every day was a bit of a treat.
A&E: How was it to work with the old cast again?
IG: Just wonderful. I think we all jumped at
the chance again. And we all knew how tough it was going to be—it is a tough
shoot—but I think the fact that we get on so well and we make it fun is part of
the reason why we all want to come back and do it again. And as I said, I love
working with Paul specifically because of the way he makes me feel at ease.
Jamie, we get on like a house on fire. He's of the same age as me, and there's
more of a social aspect, as well as on screen. And Robert Lindsay wanted to come
back and did it, his bit. And then there are actors who hear about the series,
who then, when they get offered a part in it, think, Oh yeah, I should do that,
because I know that they had a great time making the first one. So, Paul McGann
was convinced by hearing about the first series that it was going to be a laugh.
A&E: Are there any funny anecdotes from the set
that you can share with us?
IG: I can't think of any. Constantly waiting
for the poor armorer to load all the muskets and pistols, that was a tough job.
Because we wanted to make it look so authentic. And then of course they wouldn't
fire every time—as they would have in those days.
A&E: If the possibility exists, would you want
to do more Hornblower films?
IG: Oh, absolutely, absolutely.
A&E: That's great news for your fans.
IG: And for me.
A&E: As a well-known actor from
Wales, is there anything you try to do to inform others about your country or
culture?
IG: Well, whenever I get the opportunity
publicly, doing press interviews, I always like to mention—and I'm also very
proud of—where I'm from and who I am and the language that I speak and the
culture and the heritage that I possess being a Welshman. So, I suppose little
by little I'm educating people about Wales.
A&E: Can you teach us a word in Welsh?
IG: Yes, "cariad" is the word for love.
A&E: You recently appeared in the movie 102
Dalmations Can you tell us about the experience?
IG: It was such a contrast to Hornblower. It
was a massive, massive budgeted film, so they have much more time and care to
takeover shots. But because I wasn't in every single frame like I am in
Hornblower, it occasionally got quite tiring because I was waiting around a lot
on the sets of all these extravagant shots. It was absolutely fun too! To come
in every day, and see the dogs happy to see you is an invaluable thing.
A&E: Can you tell us about any upcoming projects
for you?
IG: I don't actually have anything at the
moment. I'm waiting to hear on a lot of things. Nothing is concrete. I've been
taking a lot of meetings—a lot of big Hollywood films. But as I am not yet an
established name enough, you know how it works. It's difficult. I just want
somebody to take a risk with a newcomer as such, like they did with Hornblower.
They didn't know who I was and they took that risk, and it's developed into this
phenomenon. So I'm just waiting for a producer and a director to take a risk on
me in a big Hollywood film.
A&E: Did you always want to be an actor?
IG: No, not always. I knew that I had this
ability and this talent, I think. And that was the strongest thing at the time
when I decided, right, what shall I do with my life, at the end of school. I
thought if I went to train as an actor, then I could do it; I couldn't just
leave school and then just become an actor. I really wanted to be trained in it.
It came on very late, actually. It wasn't like a dream of mine since the age of
five.
A&E: What do you do in your free time?
IG: Well, there's a big game coming up in
Wales. Wales is playing England in a rugby match, and that's one of my big
passions. And that's coming up on the third of February, so it's very close, and
already I'm starting to feel the excitement about it. I know it sounds pathetic,
getting excited about a match, a game.
A&E: Thank you for the interview, Ioan.
IG: No, no, thank you. And I just want to
say to all those people—I know it sounds corny—but I do appreciate all the
support and the interest, and it does mean a lot to me.
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