1. What Was Medved Thinking?

    Scroll down past the blinking Hollywood Jesus banner and the ads, and you will find an excellent in-depth article interview with Viggo Mortensen on the relationship of Tolkien's work to today's international situation, the artist's right to speak out politically, the great themes of the Lord of the Rings, and the translation from book to film.
  2. Actors’ politics pollute ‘Ring’

    Michael Medved criticizes Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, and other actors who make political statements, saying that "controversial off-screen pronouncements color our on-screen perceptions of Aragorn or Gimli, and threaten the perceived—and heroic—unity of the Fellowship of the Ring." If you read this, we suggest you might also find Pastor Greg Wright's response to be of interest.
  3. Beat Box Betty Interviews Viggo Mortensen

    Step right up ladies and gents–and let me tell you all about the incredible shrinking leading man. Throughout Hollywood’s history we’ve seen our fair share of rugged manly-men, willing to risk it all in the name of a good cause or perhaps the right girl. Back in the day, we had Gable, Brando and even […]
  4. The myth made real

    Reviewer Fazio reluctantly acknowledges how impressed he is with The Fellowship of the Ring, from the script to Peter Jackson's attention to detail to the acting. Excerpt: "It's McKellen, with a voice that truly could summon forth the spirits, who provides the film with depth and gravitas. His is a mesmerizing performance, with Gandalf at times looking like the aged, weary man who knows his time is getting short, and then, like a cat, suddenly revealing a flash of vigor and ferocity, the fire that still burns within. Subtract this performance and you could lop one star off this review."
  5. Playing the hero suits Mortensen fine

    A barefoot Viggo Mortensen talks about Tolkien's work and his role as Aragorn. "He was the greatest traveler and huntsman of his age," Mortensen says about his quiet, stoic role. "There is no character in this story, in these books, that has traveled more extensively and had more contact with other cultures, races, languages, and an appreciation and understanding of the differences of all the free peoples of Middle-earth.... He has an understanding that the most precious thing that any intelligent being possesses is free choice."
  6. A sudden star

    After discussing his art and acting career, Viggo talks about The Lord of the Rings--book and movies. "In this movie, I had three directors: Tolkien, Peter Jackson and, of course, my own conscience. Tolkien and Jackson are different media, different men, but I've worked for both of them. While the first was very interested in exploring codes, poetry, history, the second is a film maker who likes entertainment, and that's why he centered his work more in the action episodes than in the reflective ones." He continues, "I found my strongest link to this author when I got to know the tongues, the languages that he made up for each race. That is why I miss certain things from the book, like some of the songs and above all, the languages that were born of this incredible man."
  7. “Ring” actor tuned in to warrior spirit

    Nearly every young actor in Hollywood wanted the role of Frodo Baggins in The Fellowship of the Ring. Viggo Mortensen is looking every bit the bohemian, barefoot and sipping a special Argentine tea, as he talks about his role in The Fellowship of the Ring, the first of three Lord of the Rings films. Actually, […]
  8. Viggo Mortensen: ‘We Were All on an Epic Journey’

    Interview with Viggo Mortensen about his preparation and investment in the role of Aragorn for The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. He talks about the difference between the director's vision and Tolkien's: "The more I explored Tolkien, the more I felt I had two bosses: Tolkien and Peter Jackson. I tried my best to be loyal to both of them."