"Possessed"

Showtime presents

October 22, 2000

Actor Timothy Dalton chats about the Showtime Original Picture, "Possessed." Dalton portrays a real life priest facing demonic forces. "Possessed" is based on actual events that were fictionalized in the 1973 supernatural thriller, "The Exorcist."

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Showtime: Please welcome the talented actor Timothy Dalton, who stars in Showtime's original picture "Possessed." Dalton portrays real life priest, Father William Bowdern, who must face both demonic powers and an authoritative Archbishop with a political agenda. Dalton, a multi-talented actor, has had success on stage, screen and television. He made his motion picture debut in the Academy Award-winning film "The Lion in Winter," starring Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn. After appearing in over ten major films, he rose to international stardom in 1987 when he succeeded Roger Moore as James Bond. Dalton has also graced the stage, appearing with the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company in many of Shakespeare's masterpieces. We are thrilled to have Mr. Dalton with us.

Timothy Dalton: Good evening everybody. It's a pleasure to be with you.

Cindy: Timothy, what drew you to this project?

Timothy Dalton: It's a true story of an exorcism, and I've never heard of a true story of an exorcism. When I read the material, I was fascinated because so much is inexplicable and disturbing, and had to have a rational explanation. But I'm not so sure it does; or at least, there isn't one as yet.

Jen: I am intrigued to know how you managed to learn so much dialogue. Did you get to see the Rituale Romanum?

Timothy Dalton: I did. We had some advice on the set. I was provided with the Rituale Romanum, and as you obviously know, it was incorporated into our script during the rites of exorcism.

A1 Judy: Mr. Dalton, you are one of few actors who can successfully portray good and evil simultaneously, at least where the audience is not always quite sure (for instance "Framed," "The Informant," "The Rocketeer," etc.). Is it done consciously, and is it difficult?

Timothy Dalton: It's not done consciously, but it is always a conscious choice of mind to bring complexity and depth to people.

Ricardo: I loved the bad guy you played in "The Rocketeer!" Do you find it harder or easier or more fun to be the villain?

Timothy Dalton: It's often more fun to be the villain. It's rare that a hero has bad or wicked traits, and it is often those wicked traits that make somebody interesting. Generally I think writers prefer writing villains. They write great villains.

Jen: It is reported that you generally research a role very thoroughly. What research did you undertake for this role?

Timothy Dalton: The most important thing for me in "Possessed" was to understand why a man becomes a priest. Then one has to explore and understand the conflict between faith and doubt, and then guilt.

Jinnykin: Did you meet with the real life priest, Father William Bowdern, in order to prepare for your role in Showtime's "Possessed"?

Timothy Dalton: No, I did not. Sadly, William Bowdern (who I believe was a very good man and a very good priest) died some years ago. However, I did have access to firsthand interviews with people who knew him, which proved to be extremely valuable. In fact, one of the priests who took part in this exorcism is still alive today.

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