19 replies to this topic

[Mister Asterix]

With thanks to our friends at BKD:

[box]

An Interview with Richard Sammel

[subhead]A discussion with the actor who portrayed

[ACE]

Das war wunderbar!

Herr Sammel hat ausgezeichneten Geschmack im Film (und im Lesematerial ).

Check out the excellent work of BKD on http://bkd-online.de/

Danke Oliver, Wolfgang, Sascha und Heiko.

[Qwerty]

An excellent interview. Makes one want a fully-loaded Casino Royale DVD with all the missing scenes even more.

He brings up an interesting point about not even getting a name mention--practically no-one in the movie does. Gettler, Valenka, Carlos, Mollaka, Solange (if one doesn't count the kids screaming her name), Steven Obanno, Kratt, Leo, Villiers, etc...

[tdalton]

A very good interview and a great read. It's a shame that a lot of the scenes mentioned didn't make it into the film, as they could have greatly enhanced the film, IMO.

[DamnCoffee]

Brilliant Article. Really interested to hear about the missing scenes. These weren't mentioned in the first draft screenplay . Anyone got any pics?

[RivenWinner]

Interesting interview. Thanks for posting!

While I wish that we could see more of his character in the film, I think the reason for cutting some of his scenes is for the best. People often get annoyed when scenes or characters are cut from a film, but in most cases this happens for the better. Just because a scene is cut doesn't mean that it's a good one or a needed one, and it doesn't mean that it should be rather "forced" back into the film in some special edition dvd release.

Of course, there are many other times when important scenes are cut when they never should have been.

[dodge]

Great reading, Mr. Asterix. Many thanks!

[tdalton]

I think that any cut scenes with Gettler would have significantly enhanced the final moments of the film. What really bothered me about the ending of CASINO ROYALE was how the ending of the novel was almost completely discarded. In the novel, Bond begins to see a change in Vesper's behavior, and Gettler pops up a few more times than he does in the film, which really adds to a sense of foreboding that really hangs over the end of the novel. I think that, had one of the two action set pieces at the beginning of the film been completely cut, then more time could have been given to the stalking of Vesper by Gettler in Venice, and that could have really added some tension to the end of the film that really wasn't there.

[HH007]

I think that any cut scenes with Gettler would have significantly enhanced the final moments of the film. What really bothered me about the ending of CASINO ROYALE was how the ending of the novel was almost completely discarded. In the novel, Bond begins to see a change in Vesper's behavior, and Gettler pops up a few more times than he does in the film, which really adds to a sense of foreboding that really hangs over the end of the novel. I think that, had one of the two action set pieces at the beginning of the film been completely cut, then more time could have been given to the stalking of Vesper by Gettler in Venice, and that could have really added some tension to the end of the film that really wasn't there.

Well, you have a point there. I also would've preferred it if they snipped back the action heavy first act a bit and instead spent more of that time with Bond/Vesper/Gettler in Venice. But, I do understand why they didn't. As I stated on another thread, the Bond moviegoers have come to expect the action, and so when it comes to action vs. dramatic scenes, it makes sense that the action won out, although I still think CR did better with dramatic material than any other film in the series.

[00Twelve]

I actually thought Gettler fit nicely in the last act. We see him once, briefly making direct eye contact with Vesper (how eerie that was!) and then we see her meeting him with the briefcase. While we didn't get his name, I thought his role was edited into a nice, concise character that served his purpose well.

And no, he wasn't *quite* as fleshed out as in the book, but his point was made. Clearly. I dunno, the last act had a great, (I think Harms may have called it...) "Hitchcock-on-steroids" feel that I enjoyed.

[tdalton]

I think that any cut scenes with Gettler would have significantly enhanced the final moments of the film. What really bothered me about the ending of CASINO ROYALE was how the ending of the novel was almost completely discarded. In the novel, Bond begins to see a change in Vesper's behavior, and Gettler pops up a few more times than he does in the film, which really adds to a sense of foreboding that really hangs over the end of the novel. I think that, had one of the two action set pieces at the beginning of the film been completely cut, then more time could have been given to the stalking of Vesper by Gettler in Venice, and that could have really added some tension to the end of the film that really wasn't there.

Well, you have a point there. I also would've preferred it if they snipped back the action heavy first act a bit and instead spent more of that time with Bond/Vesper/Gettler in Venice. But, I do understand why they didn't. As I stated on another thread, the Bond moviegoers have come to expect the action, and so when it comes to action vs. dramatic scenes, it makes sense that the action won out, although I still think CR did better with dramatic material than any other film in the series.

One route that they could have gone with it would have been to have Gettler stalking the two of them like in the book, but have it be something similar to the scene where Bond is following Vesper through the back alleys in Venice. They could have cut out the scene with them in the hotel room, and perhaps had them at dinner or something, being watched by Gettler (I think something similar happened in the novel, but it's been a while since I've read it, so please excuse any mistakes on my part). This way, there could have still been the romantic scene between Bond and Vesper, and much of the same dialogue probably could have been said over dinner rather than in the hotel room, but with the ominous threat of Gettler hanging over it all.

Either way, though, Richard Sammel was absolutely brilliant as Gettler, even though he was given far too little screentime.

[HH007]

I think that any cut scenes with Gettler would have significantly enhanced the final moments of the film. What really bothered me about the ending of CASINO ROYALE was how the ending of the novel was almost completely discarded. In the novel, Bond begins to see a change in Vesper's behavior, and Gettler pops up a few more times than he does in the film, which really adds to a sense of foreboding that really hangs over the end of the novel. I think that, had one of the two action set pieces at the beginning of the film been completely cut, then more time could have been given to the stalking of Vesper by Gettler in Venice, and that could have really added some tension to the end of the film that really wasn't there.

Well, you have a point there. I also would've preferred it if they snipped back the action heavy first act a bit and instead spent more of that time with Bond/Vesper/Gettler in Venice. But, I do understand why they didn't. As I stated on another thread, the Bond moviegoers have come to expect the action, and so when it comes to action vs. dramatic scenes, it makes sense that the action won out, although I still think CR did better with dramatic material than any other film in the series.

One route that they could have gone with it would have been to have Gettler stalking the two of them like in the book, but have it be something similar to the scene where Bond is following Vesper through the back alleys in Venice. They could have cut out the scene with them in the hotel room, and perhaps had them at dinner or something, being watched by Gettler (I think something similar happened in the novel, but it's been a while since I've read it, so please excuse any mistakes on my part). This way, there could have still been the romantic scene between Bond and Vesper, and much of the same dialogue probably could have been said over dinner rather than in the hotel room, but with the ominous threat of Gettler hanging over it all.

Either way, though, Richard Sammel was absolutely brilliant as Gettler, even though he was given far too little screentime.

But they already had two scenes with Bond and Vesper talking over dinner so cinematically that might seem a bit repetitive.

[tdalton]

I think that any cut scenes with Gettler would have significantly enhanced the final moments of the film. What really bothered me about the ending of CASINO ROYALE was how the ending of the novel was almost completely discarded. In the novel, Bond begins to see a change in Vesper's behavior, and Gettler pops up a few more times than he does in the film, which really adds to a sense of foreboding that really hangs over the end of the novel. I think that, had one of the two action set pieces at the beginning of the film been completely cut, then more time could have been given to the stalking of Vesper by Gettler in Venice, and that could have really added some tension to the end of the film that really wasn't there.

Well, you have a point there. I also would've preferred it if they snipped back the action heavy first act a bit and instead spent more of that time with Bond/Vesper/Gettler in Venice. But, I do understand why they didn't. As I stated on another thread, the Bond moviegoers have come to expect the action, and so when it comes to action vs. dramatic scenes, it makes sense that the action won out, although I still think CR did better with dramatic material than any other film in the series.

One route that they could have gone with it would have been to have Gettler stalking the two of them like in the book, but have it be something similar to the scene where Bond is following Vesper through the back alleys in Venice. They could have cut out the scene with them in the hotel room, and perhaps had them at dinner or something, being watched by Gettler (I think something similar happened in the novel, but it's been a while since I've read it, so please excuse any mistakes on my part). This way, there could have still been the romantic scene between Bond and Vesper, and much of the same dialogue probably could have been said over dinner rather than in the hotel room, but with the ominous threat of Gettler hanging over it all.

Either way, though, Richard Sammel was absolutely brilliant as Gettler, even though he was given far too little screentime.

But they already had two scenes with Bond and Vesper talking over dinner so cinematically that might seem a bit repetitive.

The one on the train could have been, IMO, significantly altered and/or removed to avoid this problem. That one always, to me, looked as though Craig and Green were just reading their lines off of cue cards located directly behind the other actor, rather than interacting with each other. All of that dialogue was, IMO, unncessary and, if it had to be there, could have been sprinkled throughout the film rather than being placed into a rather unnecessary conversation on the train.

[HH007]

I think that any cut scenes with Gettler would have significantly enhanced the final moments of the film. What really bothered me about the ending of CASINO ROYALE was how the ending of the novel was almost completely discarded. In the novel, Bond begins to see a change in Vesper's behavior, and Gettler pops up a few more times than he does in the film, which really adds to a sense of foreboding that really hangs over the end of the novel. I think that, had one of the two action set pieces at the beginning of the film been completely cut, then more time could have been given to the stalking of Vesper by Gettler in Venice, and that could have really added some tension to the end of the film that really wasn't there.

Well, you have a point there. I also would've preferred it if they snipped back the action heavy first act a bit and instead spent more of that time with Bond/Vesper/Gettler in Venice. But, I do understand why they didn't. As I stated on another thread, the Bond moviegoers have come to expect the action, and so when it comes to action vs. dramatic scenes, it makes sense that the action won out, although I still think CR did better with dramatic material than any other film in the series.

One route that they could have gone with it would have been to have Gettler stalking the two of them like in the book, but have it be something similar to the scene where Bond is following Vesper through the back alleys in Venice. They could have cut out the scene with them in the hotel room, and perhaps had them at dinner or something, being watched by Gettler (I think something similar happened in the novel, but it's been a while since I've read it, so please excuse any mistakes on my part). This way, there could have still been the romantic scene between Bond and Vesper, and much of the same dialogue probably could have been said over dinner rather than in the hotel room, but with the ominous threat of Gettler hanging over it all.

Either way, though, Richard Sammel was absolutely brilliant as Gettler, even though he was given far too little screentime.

But they already had two scenes with Bond and Vesper talking over dinner so cinematically that might seem a bit repetitive.

The one on the train could have been, IMO, significantly altered and/or removed to avoid this problem. That one always, to me, looked as though Craig and Green were just reading their lines off of cue cards located directly behind the other actor, rather than interacting with each other. All of that dialogue was, IMO, unncessary and, if it had to be there, could have been sprinkled throughout the film rather than being placed into a rather unnecessary conversation on the train.

I don't agree with that. I thought their performances in that scene were quite good, it established that their relationship was going to be slightly antagonistic, and how else were they supposed to meet each other? Again, about the performances, I liked them both, the dialogue was a little stylized (reminded me of David Mamet, actually), but it clearly got across that he was equally intrigued by and attracted to her, she wanted to keep things professional (but did find him attractive), and they both wanted to impress each other with their sharpness.

(Anyway, it's certainly a helluva better than the first Bond/Jinx scene in DAD)

Edited by HH007, 06 February 2008 - 09:28 PM.

[tdalton]

I think that any cut scenes with Gettler would have significantly enhanced the final moments of the film. What really bothered me about the ending of CASINO ROYALE was how the ending of the novel was almost completely discarded. In the novel, Bond begins to see a change in Vesper's behavior, and Gettler pops up a few more times than he does in the film, which really adds to a sense of foreboding that really hangs over the end of the novel. I think that, had one of the two action set pieces at the beginning of the film been completely cut, then more time could have been given to the stalking of Vesper by Gettler in Venice, and that could have really added some tension to the end of the film that really wasn't there.

Well, you have a point there. I also would've preferred it if they snipped back the action heavy first act a bit and instead spent more of that time with Bond/Vesper/Gettler in Venice. But, I do understand why they didn't. As I stated on another thread, the Bond moviegoers have come to expect the action, and so when it comes to action vs. dramatic scenes, it makes sense that the action won out, although I still think CR did better with dramatic material than any other film in the series.

One route that they could have gone with it would have been to have Gettler stalking the two of them like in the book, but have it be something similar to the scene where Bond is following Vesper through the back alleys in Venice. They could have cut out the scene with them in the hotel room, and perhaps had them at dinner or something, being watched by Gettler (I think something similar happened in the novel, but it's been a while since I've read it, so please excuse any mistakes on my part). This way, there could have still been the romantic scene between Bond and Vesper, and much of the same dialogue probably could have been said over dinner rather than in the hotel room, but with the ominous threat of Gettler hanging over it all.

Either way, though, Richard Sammel was absolutely brilliant as Gettler, even though he was given far too little screentime.

But they already had two scenes with Bond and Vesper talking over dinner so cinematically that might seem a bit repetitive.

The one on the train could have been, IMO, significantly altered and/or removed to avoid this problem. That one always, to me, looked as though Craig and Green were just reading their lines off of cue cards located directly behind the other actor, rather than interacting with each other. All of that dialogue was, IMO, unncessary and, if it had to be there, could have been sprinkled throughout the film rather than being placed into a rather unnecessary conversation on the train.

I don't agree with that. I thought their performances in that scene were quite good, it established that their relationship was going to be slightly antagonistic, and how else were they supposed to meet each other? Again, about the performances, I liked them both, the dialogue was a little stylized (reminded me of David Mamet, actually), but it clearly got across that he was equally intrigued by and attracted to her, she wanted to keep things professional (but did find him attractive), and they both wanted to impress each other with their sharpness.

(Anyway, it's certainly a helluva better than the first Bond/Jinx scene in DAD)

Well, you're right in that it is much better than the meeting between Bond and Jinx. But, I find the train scene to be one of the weakest parts of the film. It reads as being very flat and very insincere, and it really does, to me, look as though they're reading off of cue cards. Also, Eva Green speaks so unclearly in this scene that it's very difficult to understand some of what she's saying. Also, the "Omega" line is absolutely dreadful. That line, to me, is one of the worst in the entire franchise. With all of the product placement in the Brosnan films, even they never stooped to the level of actually verbally advertising the product outside of the confines of the storyline.

[HH007]

I think that any cut scenes with Gettler would have significantly enhanced the final moments of the film. What really bothered me about the ending of CASINO ROYALE was how the ending of the novel was almost completely discarded. In the novel, Bond begins to see a change in Vesper's behavior, and Gettler pops up a few more times than he does in the film, which really adds to a sense of foreboding that really hangs over the end of the novel. I think that, had one of the two action set pieces at the beginning of the film been completely cut, then more time could have been given to the stalking of Vesper by Gettler in Venice, and that could have really added some tension to the end of the film that really wasn't there.

Well, you have a point there. I also would've preferred it if they snipped back the action heavy first act a bit and instead spent more of that time with Bond/Vesper/Gettler in Venice. But, I do understand why they didn't. As I stated on another thread, the Bond moviegoers have come to expect the action, and so when it comes to action vs. dramatic scenes, it makes sense that the action won out, although I still think CR did better with dramatic material than any other film in the series.

One route that they could have gone with it would have been to have Gettler stalking the two of them like in the book, but have it be something similar to the scene where Bond is following Vesper through the back alleys in Venice. They could have cut out the scene with them in the hotel room, and perhaps had them at dinner or something, being watched by Gettler (I think something similar happened in the novel, but it's been a while since I've read it, so please excuse any mistakes on my part). This way, there could have still been the romantic scene between Bond and Vesper, and much of the same dialogue probably could have been said over dinner rather than in the hotel room, but with the ominous threat of Gettler hanging over it all.

Either way, though, Richard Sammel was absolutely brilliant as Gettler, even though he was given far too little screentime.

But they already had two scenes with Bond and Vesper talking over dinner so cinematically that might seem a bit repetitive.

The one on the train could have been, IMO, significantly altered and/or removed to avoid this problem. That one always, to me, looked as though Craig and Green were just reading their lines off of cue cards located directly behind the other actor, rather than interacting with each other. All of that dialogue was, IMO, unncessary and, if it had to be there, could have been sprinkled throughout the film rather than being placed into a rather unnecessary conversation on the train.

I don't agree with that. I thought their performances in that scene were quite good, it established that their relationship was going to be slightly antagonistic, and how else were they supposed to meet each other? Again, about the performances, I liked them both, the dialogue was a little stylized (reminded me of David Mamet, actually), but it clearly got across that he was equally intrigued by and attracted to her, she wanted to keep things professional (but did find him attractive), and they both wanted to impress each other with their sharpness.

(Anyway, it's certainly a helluva better than the first Bond/Jinx scene in DAD)

Well, you're right in that it is much better than the meeting between Bond and Jinx. But, I find the train scene to be one of the weakest parts of the film. It reads as being very flat and very insincere, and it really does, to me, look as though they're reading off of cue cards. Also, Eva Green speaks so unclearly in this scene that it's very difficult to understand some of what she's saying. Also, the "Omega" line is absolutely dreadful. That line, to me, is one of the worst in the entire franchise. With all of the product placement in the Brosnan films, even they never stooped to the level of actually verbally advertising the product outside of the confines of the storyline.

I'll go with you on the Omega line, an utterly shameless plug it is. As for the rest of the scene, we'll just have to agree to disagree (once again, ).

And about Eva Green speakly unclearly, maybe that was just you adjusting to her suppressed French accent.

Edited by HH007, 06 February 2008 - 09:40 PM.

[MarcAngeDraco]

An excellent interview. Makes one want a fully-loaded Casino Royale DVD with all the missing scenes even more.

Absolutely.

Personally, I would have been more than happy to give up some of the shootout in the Venice house (which is too long IMO) o get a little development on Gettler.

[DaveBond21]

Has anyone noticed him in the background, as Bond & Vesper exit the lift?

[Skudor]

Has anyone noticed him in the background, as Bond & Vesper exit the lift?

Not me.

But I do like the character. I'm not sure he would have benefited from any more screen time, and the eye-patch might just be a touch too far... but Sammel brings a lot to the role, small as it is. Compare, for example, to that blond, charisma deprived giant in Tomorrow Never Dies...

[Vauxhall]

Has anyone noticed him in the background, as Bond & Vesper exit the lift?

Yeah, I've noticed him before. He's standing next to the reception desk in the lobby wearing a Panama hat.