And now, for the interview:
Q. How
did you get the part of Admiral Ozzel in Empire Strikes Back? What
process did you go through?
A. The casting director
asked my agent if I'd like to meet the director. I did, we had a chat
and I was offered the part. I was pleased that it was not larger as
it fitted very nicely between two other engagements.
Q. Had
you seen Star Wars: A New Hope before you were hired to be in Empire?
A. Yes.
We lived just outside Guildford in Surrey then and walked into the
city along the river and took the children to see it as a surprise.
Q. How do you feel about being
part of one of the most popular and successful movies ever?
A. I enjoy
doing conventions and meeting people and I enjoy the fact that I was in the
movie. But, certainly at the time, it was just another part in a very
busy actor's career. I've done more than 800 TVs and 38 movies.
Q. In Empire, Darth Vader choked
you using the Force. Did you have to practice being choked a lot?
A. No.
And I did it in one take!
Q. What did you think of the
recently released 'Empire Strikes Back Special Edition'?
A. Great.
The premier of 'Star Wars' in London - my wife and I were guests of
George Lucas - was excellent.
Q. What was it like working with
Dave Prowse, George Lucas, and Irvin Kerschner?
A. Nice guys,
very professional. I do a lot of conventions with Dave of course.
Irvin - George's tutor at college I believe - was damn good.
Q. How many days of shooting
were there for you in Empire, and also for Last Crusade?
A. I honestly
can't remember. I think each contract lasted about a month.
Q. About how many people were
there on the sets of both movies (cast and crew)?
A. Oh Lord!
All told there must have been something like two hundred. On
Last Crusade, more. There were all those soldiers.
Q. How did you feel about the
final outcome of the film, and what did you think of it's sequel, Return
of the Jedi?
A. I think
that they are very good adventure films which I must see again sometime.
Then I'll tell you what I think of the ending and the sequel. I
do know that George's favourite is 'Empire', he told me so.
Q. You played Hitler MANY times.
Why have you played him so many times? Do you know a lot about
him?
A. I think
it's four or five, although one turned out to be a green blob from outer
space. If I like a script, I'll play the part! My son, who's
a history teacher, knows far more about the second world war than I do.
But I've researched, too.
Q. Were there any scenes in Empire
or Last Crusade that you were involved in that were cut?
A. No.
But there were some that were never shot in 'Raiders'!
 |
Q. You
had a small cameo as Adolf Hitler in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,
and you also co-starred with Harrison Ford in Force Ten from
Navarone. What was it like working with him?
A. I was
also in 'Empire' with him, remember, and I was in the first Indy film.
(Read my book to learn more!) So what's that? Four times.
He's a nice guy and a professional. It was a pleasure to work
with him, and play. We were in what was then Yugoslavia making 'Force
Ten' for almost three months and had many an enjoyable meal after
filming.
Q. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, the
first Indiana Jones movie, there was a scene with Hitler that was cut from
the final version. Did you play Hitler in this scene, too?
A. No.
But as I said I was in the film! |
Q. Your book (which I haven't read
yet) is titled: 'Yes, Mr. Bronson: Memoirs of a Bum Actor'. Why do
you refer to yourself as a 'bum actor'? Also, it contains a foreword
by Roger Moore. Is that THE Roger Moore, a.k.a. James Bond? Finally,
I assume 'yes, Mr. Bronson' refers to your years on the children's series
'Grange Hill', and since you named your book after it, are you most famous
for that part, as schoolteacher Mr. Bronson?
A. I would
have thought you'd know that. Bum as in your (the American) use of
the word. In the middle ages actors were perceived as roving rogues and
vagabonds, strolling players, wandering from village to village. Bums.
Lord Laurence Olivier in fact always referred to us thus. 'We're
all rogues and bums, dear boy'.
Yes, certainly, there is only one Roger Moore. I've worked with him
lots of times and he's a pal.
'Grange Hill' played, still plays, a big part in my life and I'm certainly
recognised as Mr Bronson. It was a great part and I was excellent!
But so I am in everything I play of course and I'm often recognised
for 'Dr. Who', (I've worked with more Doctors than any other actor), 'Auf
Wiedersehen Pet', (have you seen that over there?), 'Colditz'.... I
really could go on and on. Thank heavens!
Q. What motivated you to write this
book?
A. I'd
always thought I had a book in me, but it was not until the publishers
approached me and said they wanted a book about the business from a
different angle, from a working actor's point of view, that I buckled
down. I loved doing it. It took me about four years, tapping away between
engagements and I'm thrilled that it's been so well received - not one
bad review. Indeed, the publishers are so delighted that they've asked
me to do another. This one will be published, all being well, when
the next 'Star Wars' film opens here. Why? Because it will
concentrate far more on all my 'Star Wars' chums.
Q. I looked up your filmography
on the Internet Movie Database, and it mentions that you haven't been
in any movies or television programs since 1989 (Indiana Jones
and the Last Crusade). What have you been doing since then?
A. I've
been mostly doing a series in Germany and directing for the past six years
or so. But I have two movies and a new Sci-Fi series, 'First Frontier',
coming up.
Q. Many Star Wars actors have been
touring conventions in the UK and the United States the last few years, selling
autographs, giving presentations, and mingling with the fans. Have
you appeared at any, or will you appear at any in the future?
A. I've
mentioned this already. I do as many as my schedule will allow - I'm
still very much a working actor. I am one of 'Icons' band of celebrities
in the United States and get over when I can. The new book will concentrate
on the convention scene, too.
Q. Finally, of all the movies and
television shows you have been in what has been your favorite, or the most
memorable one?
A.
Honesty time! I've enjoyed everything I've
done. So in order to give an answer I must take everything about the job
into account. The cast, the part certainly, the location, the crew,
etc. And no my reply is not 'Empire' but 'Escape to Athena' which I made
on Rhodes with Roger and a host of other great stars, including the dear
man David Niven. (ed. note - stars included in the film are: Roger Moore,
David Niven, Telly Savalas, Stefanie Powers, Richard Roundtree, Elliott Gould,
and Sonny Bono)
Thanks to Michael Sheard for taking the time to do this
interview!
Please do not use any parts of this interview without consent from
me, as I don't want to see excerpts
appearing all over the web :)
| If you would like to write Michael Sheard to request
an autograph or ask him a question, you can do so at the following
address:
Michael Sheard
c/o The Narrow Road Company,
21/22, Poland Street,
LONDON. W1V 3DD. UK.
You will need to include at least two International Reply
Coupons (IRCs) for a reply. IRCs are available at your local post office,
and they are $1.05 each (US). If you live in the UK, just a self-addressed
stamped envelope will do. If you would like a big signed photograph,
send $7.00.
If you would like to purchase the book signed by Michael
Sheard himself, (It's a great read) send just $15.00 (this price includes
P&P) to:
Summersdale Publishers,
46, West Street,
CHICHESTER. PO19 1RP. UK.
Don't forget to mention that you'd like the book 'Yes,
Mr. Bronson: Memoirs of a Bum Actor' by Michael Sheard, since the company
also carries other books :) As soon as I get my copy, I will scan the
cover and post it here. I might also note that the book has a foreword
by none other than Michael's good friend Roger Moore (James Bond)!
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