By Yuri (Alex) Uskov 2004, published in Russia 1/05
Q: I understand that you are acquainted with Malcolm? What is your attitude to him?
Do you mean what is he like off screen? He's extremely nice and generous with his time. He is a legend on screen, but off screen is a regular guy with no ego. He's very humble, but with a wicked sense of humor.
Q: Do you know his favorite cinema and literature works? And Yours?
He likes the classic gangster flicks with James Cagney. I like old Sci-Fi and Horror as a whole. Cult stuff.
Q: What is his favorite color and make of car? What is his hobby?
He is a classic car collector, so he has many expensive ones. His favorite color
is British Racing Green.
Q: What is his favorite music?
Van Morrison.
Q: What is he doing now?
Work, work, work. Filming Mirror Wars and Exitz.
Q: Who is his favorite writer?
David Sherwin who wrote if.... and gave him the best movie entrance in history.
Q: What traits does he like in other people?
To be able to take a joke and work hard.
Q: What does he think is his best movie?
He told me ACO is his best work, but O Lucky Man! is his favorite.
Q: What is his attitude to ex-soviet countries?
He loves Russia and the Ukraine and has made two films there.
Q: Do You like Assassin of the Tsar?
Yes. It is a perfect film. Almost as good as ACO. It's a damn shame almost no one has seen it.
Q: In Belarus and Russia the most popular of all Malcolm's films is The Passage. Do You like this film?
Really!? That film is crap. It's only good in a campy, funny, cult way. "Chop, chop, chop!"
Q: Do You like Mick Travis trilogy?
if.... and OLM! are awesome films. Some of MM's best and also some of the best
films of all-time. While they are British, they have a universal message.
Q: What do You think about Britannia Hospital?
BH is a bit of a mess and hard to swallow at times. Way too many plots and subplots going on. It is so British that it is lost on an American like me. I need to watch it again though.
Q: I know that Malcolm wrote a part of O Lucky Man! himself. What can you tell about it?
He worked as a coffee salesman traveling all around England. Much of the
beginning of the film is true to his life. He also whipped up a mean batch of
mashed potatoes that he also sold.
Q: What is your favorite moment in the movie?
The Chocolate Sandwich and Arthur Lowe in blackface.
Q: Why do all the actors play a minimum of two roles?
Because it didn't matter, they were all friends, an acting "family" and to make it epic, fun and mysterious.
Q: What is your favorite moment in ACO?
The opening shot of Alex and the futuristic Funeral music over it.
Q: What other of Kubrick's movies do you like?
I like all of Kubrick's films. Favorites in order are ACO, Full Metal Jacket,
2001, Barry Lyndon, Dr. Strangelove, Paths of Glory, The Shining, The Killing,
Fear and Desire, Lolita, Killer's Kiss, Spartacus, Eyes Wide Shut.
Q: What is your opinion of Dr. Strangelove and is it dated?
At first I thought it was overrated because I thought it was serious. Then I
rewatched it as a comedy and loved it. Dr. S is all about the Cold War between
the USA and Russia. That war is over, we won, they lost. So of course it'll
remain in that time frame. But the politics and humor remain the same.
Q: Your favorite of Malcolm's films is ACO? When did you see it for the first
time?
Yes it is. I first saw some of it on cable TV in 1980 and had no clue what was going on. I was freaked out because I thought Mr. Alexander threw up and they taped his mouth shut. I first saw it in the proper frame of mind in 1989 on VHS. The next year I saw it in the theater. In 1998 I saw the 75th anniversary WB theater tour and then the beautiful new British print in 2002. That's it.
Q: Why is it so popular? I think it's because of Alex.
The mesmerizing music that starts the film, the hypnotic eyes of Alex that start the visuals, the story that everyone can relate to, the characters, the black comedy, the futuristic setting, the directing is so smooth. It all contributes - every aspect is perfect.
Q: What is Malcolm's attitude toward Kubrick? I read that he had a very hard time after ACO.
It was a rollercoaster of emotion. At first he loved him, then he hated him, but now he loves and respects him again and is sad he is gone and never reconciled with him.
Q: What are your plans for your site?
To keep updating everyday. I have years of updates still to come both old and
new.
This page © 2005-08 Alex D. Thrawn for www.MalcolmMcDowell.net