Exclusive Interview of Burt Reynolds for his french website

After searching a looooooong time, I finally get in touch with someone close to Mr Reynolds and send him a few questions. Agreat pleasure to finally interview him !

Thanks to Gregg Goldsbury

L’interview en français est visible ICI

Yannick Boutot : Mister Reynolds, thank you for answering these questions for your french fans. First of all, I would like to know what is you favourite film among all your movies ?

 Burt Reynolds: Deliverance, because the film holds up so well over the years. It’s timeless. The cast is irreplaceable as actors and as friends.

Deliverance

My Life by Burt Reynolds

YB : About 15 years ago you wrote « My Life », is there something that you want to add or to change in this interesting and funny book ?

 BR: I would like to write the 2nd Act and 3rd Act.

YB : What are your feelings about French movies ?

 BR: They are and always have been my favorite films.

YB : You played with Catherine Deneuve, what do you keep in mind about this experience?

 BR: I enjoyed the experience very much. She is the consummate professional. Always « there » for the other actor.

YB : What can you tell us about the movie « Stringer » and Elie Semoun ?

 BR: I don’t remember the film as much as I remember Elie. We had a wonderful time together and I had a great visit with him the last time I was in Paris.

YB : What were the differences between your Italian western experience (« Navajo Joe ») and American one ?

 BR: The Italian western is like making an opera. Bigger and louder and open to everyone’s ideas.

Navajo Joe

YB : You did a lot of movies with Hal Needham. What can you tell us about the last one, « Hard Time : Hostage hotel » ?

 BR: Hal is the best Stuntman that ever worked in the pictures. His staging is like a 3 ring circus!

YB : You played a great number of cops or tough guys but also comedy, in which one are you the more comfortable ?

 BR: The comedy is more fun if you have the right cast. Casting in Comedy is everything.

YB : Can you tell us how did you get a small cameo in « Strike Force » aka « The librarians » with William Forsythe ?

 BR: Bill is an old friend. I did it as a favor and for fun.

YB : What do you remember of your experience on « Crazy Six » with Albert Pyun, as we know that he pay more attention on visual side instead of the script ?

 BR: It was interesting. I’m always open to all styles, if they serve the script in terms of something new.

The Last Producer by Burt Reynolds

YB : How did you become director of « The last producer » ? And was it a way to express your feelings about Hollywood ?

 BR: It would take a year for me to « express » my feelings about Hollywood. I became Director because of a need at the time of the producers.

 

YB : Over the years you had some health problem, how did you manage to comeback so quickly ? Acting was therapy for you ?

 BR: I bounce back quickly from health problems. In Hollywood they are so over the top about that stuff. Your dying one day and on top of everything the next.

YB : Uwe Boll is considered as a bad director, what was experience in « In the name of the king » ?

BR: It was fine.

 

YB : You sang « Let’s do something cheap and superficial » which have been ranked among the charts, would you have appreciate to spin out the experience ?

BR: It was fun —-  cheap and superficial.

Quinton & Burt Reynolds

YB : Does your son, Quinton, work in the movie industry ? Is he fascinated by the job and movies of his father ?

BR: He is interested in film, maybe as an editor. He has been around films his whole life.

YB : In the name of your French fans, and of course in mine, I want to thank you for answering us. Thank you very much Mister Reynolds.

BR: My pleasure.