Apted discusses preparing for the film by visiting the Soviet Union with his production team, only to be expelled after the authorities actually read the script. He comments on each of the major cast members and discusses his decision to ...See moreApted discusses preparing for the film by visiting the Soviet Union with his production team, only to be expelled after the authorities actually read the script. He comments on each of the major cast members and discusses his decision to have the Russian characters speak with English accents (thereby requiring Hurt to learn one), while the American characters would retain their native speech patterns. Unlike commentaries recorded long after the making of the film, where the participants often lapse into silence because they haven't seen their work for years, Apted had already revisited the film before being interviewed; so his memory was refreshed. As a result, the interview is far more informative than a commentary might have been.
See less