From the epic fantasy that is Lord of the Rings to the equally epic tale of Saul: The Journey to Damascus, Hollywood actor John Rhys-Davies talks to Ramona Depares about filming in Malta and why biblical tales will never go out of fashion.
His was the face and voice that brought the iconic role of Gimli, JRR Tolkien’s dwarf in Lord of the Rings, to life. He is also synonymous with a number of equally iconic roles in high- profile movies, such as the Indiana Jones franchise.
Now, John Rhys-Davies is Caiphas in the Maltese-Canadian feature film Saul: The Journey to Damascus, which is currently showing at our cinemas. Written and directed by Mario Philip Azzopardi, the film tells the story of the conversion of Saul, who is played by Canadian actor Kyle Schmid.
I manage to get in touch with Rhys-Davies the day before he flies to Morocco to start shooting the pilot for a new series for Fox, Hieroglyph. I barely manage to put my first question, before he tells me what “a great fan of Malta” he is. The actor, in fact had also visited the island for the shooting of Helen of Troy, in which he played King Priam.
Unless we are talking of some massive production by the likes of Marvel, the days of the big films on the cinema screen are gone
“Architecturally speaking, Malta must be the most breathtaking place on the planet. It’s up there with Venice for me. And Malta’s history is so important for Western civilisation, it is impossible not to acknowledge this,” he says.
What about his experience from a working point-of-view? This too appears to have been equally positive, as Rhys-Davies rather flatteringly replies that he’s never worked anywhere where the people are so warm and so keen on the work itself.
“I really felt like this place was home. I can’t mention all the friends I made in Malta by name, it’s impossible. One name that springs to mind is Ino Bonello, who was in charge of production and costume design. Ino is a national treasure and the way he manages to make one set become two different locations is nothing short of magic,” the actor tells me.
Rhys-Davies goes on to explain that few places beat Malta when it comes to sheer value for money within the filming industry, which he describes as “currently failing”.
“Essentially, Saul is a low-budget film, but the Maltese team make it work by magic. The film industry right now is at a low and, unless we are talking of some massive production by the likes of Marvel, the days of the big films on the cinema screen are gone. It’s all straight to the computer screen nowadays.”
Does this mean that cinema epics are on their way out? Rhys-Davies does not think the situation is so dire. Although the revenue system has collapsed, he believes that the demand for massive films is still there.
“It’s difficult to raise the money, that’s all. So we all tighten our belts, and that is why locations like Malta, which offer good value for money, are important. Right now, the tide is out, but it will come in again. It’s always like that in the film industry – it’s feast or famine,” he explains.
I take the topic back to the movie itself – the biblical story of the conversion of Saul is, of course, universally known in Malta. How familiar with it was Rhys-Davies, and what is his take on the recent revival of biblical epics like Noah?
“I grew up as a Welsh protestant, and I have an extraordinary collection of friends. Some are sceptics, others are priests... there’s a bit of everything.
“After I left Malta I went straight to a Mormon Christmas Show in Salt Lake City, the US, so you get the idea of the diversity. I believe you really can’t know or study Western culture without knowing your Bible. Paul was an extraordinary figure in history, and the advent of Christianity had a massive influence on the shaping of European values. So yes, I’ve always felt it important to be in touch with these stories,” he tells me.
When it comes to roles, Ryhs-Davies has done them all – from the viscount in The Princess Diaries 2, to the beloved professor from the sci-fi television series Sliders, the trusted Sallah in three Indiana Jones movies and, of course, Gimli in The Lord of the Rings franchise.
In true actor fashion, he tells me that his favourite role is always “the next one”, and that the most fantastic thing about acting is that it allows you to be “all the possible yous”.
“You can be an adventurer, a lover, an inventor... I am lucky because I can take on all the different skins that I want, living in a fantasy world through my imagination. Probably this is why I fall in love with all of my characters.”
He adds that to create a real, three-dimensional character, you always have to find that part of him in you. Citing the role of Caiaphas as an example, he explains that in his portrayal he wanted to present Caiaphas’s reasoning to the viewers.
“When you see things from his point of view, then you start thinking that he is right. What he is doing is telling Saul that he should not upset the apple cart because he thinks God is talking to him. As actor, I have to feel the character’s point of view.”
This brings our interview to an end, but not before Rhys-Davies reminds me to include a ‘hello’ to his Maltese friends.
“I’m looking forward to my next visit, particularly working with Mario. He’s a power source of film-making in Europe.
“There are so many films we still need to make, including the one story that has to be told: that of The Great Siege. That tale is definitely the ultimate movie epic,” he concludes.
Saul: The Journey to Damascus opens on Wednesday at the Eden Cinemas, St Julian’s.