Viggo Articles & Interviews - 2001 & prior
After Writing and Directing The Indian Runner, Sean Penn Swears He'll Never Act Again - Interview Magazine, September 0000
Extensive article focuses on Sean Penn, his vision for The Indian Runner, and the process of making it, including an anecdote about how Penn helped Viggo Mortensen get past a block. [Brego.net]
 Viggo Mortensen - Interview magazine, June 1991
Brief review of The Reflecting Skin focuses on Viggo Mortensen's role. "Mortensen doesn't appear until an hour has passed—but when he does he immediately marks himself as one of those actors who doesn't need fancy lighting to be incandescent." [Brego.net]
 Wanted: Alive - Interview magazine, February 1992
[Brego.net]
 To Be Viggo - Interview magazine, June 1995
Patricia Arquette, who was Viggo Mortensen's co-star in Indian Runner, leads Viggo through a free-form interview on gardening, acting, life goals, and liposuction. About Crimson Tide, Viggo says, "It was nice to play a guy with a job and a family, rather than a guy with a big ax to grind. And scary too, because in a role like that you have to fit in, whereas you don't if you play a sociopath. In this role, I couldn't hide behind violence or fake teeth." [Viggo-Works] [Chronicles] [Brego.net]
Viggo Mortensen: A very devilish Devil in "The Prophecy" - August 9, 1995
Viggo discusses his role in The Prophecy and his reasons for taking the part. [Chronicles] [Viggo-Works]
Gimlet - Cinenet, January 1996
A description of the film, Gimlet, as a crime story combined with a love story. The reviewer concludes that "This film is plenty of style exercise, shooting with a strong visual image. Although it is not a perfect film, audience who wants a new experience has to see it." [Chronicles]
 The Guy Can't Help It - L'Uomo Vogue #270, April 1996
In this interview prior to his trip to Italy, Viggo discusses the difficulty of staying in character while filming two very different roles simultaneously (Portrait of a Lady and Daylight). He also shares thoughts about Crimson Tide and other prior movies, and about the challenges of balancing films with his private life. Great photos by Bruce Weber. [Brego.net]
 Age of Discovery - Movieline, November 1996
A quick rundown of Viggo Mortensen's film credits, from Witness to Crimson Tide, and a teaser about his upcoming role in The Portrait of a Lady. 'After years of small parts in little-seen movies, does the 38-year-old actor feel he's at a now-or-never crossroads? "If I'd ever felt that, I would probably have shot myself already,' he replies." [Brego.net]
 Viggo, Vidi, Vici - Premiere magazine, February 1997
Interview with Viggo Mortensen focuses on his very different upcoming roles in The Portrait of a Lady and G.I. Jane (at the time, tentatively titled In Pursuit of Honor). "Surprisingly, Mortensen sees some parallels between the 19th-century romantic he plays in Portrait and the hardcase master chief in Honor. 'I think they're both gentlemen. By the end you get that—the chief has a real old-fashioned code of ethics.'" [Brego.net]
 No Pain, No Jane - Salon, August 22, 1997
An well-written review of G.I. Jane with some interesting perspectives. The reviewer seems to feel that the film is accurate with respect to military policies and training, though he does not approve of either: "Some months back, it was reported that SEALs were actually being subjected to some of the torture methods they might face if captured, a practice that raises questions about the trainers' ability to distinguish reality from maneuvers. Try to imagine that approach in other jobs -- say, if cops were shot at to see how they reacted under fire." Quite a few more points in the article.
The reviewer also has an unusual take on Mortensen's character. He seems to have confused the rank "Master Chief" with the chief's name, which is actually "John James Urgayle." Quote: "Her fellow recruits ... are certain she hasn't got what it takes, as is her predictably hard-ass drill instructor (Viggo Mortensen). What isn't predictable is that this character has been given a hilariously fetishistic name -- 'Master Chief' (didn't Texaco sell that?) -- and an even more fetishistic look. With his Village People mustache, reflector shades and tight little shorts, he's a Tom of Finland dream date." For those of you as clueless as I was, "Tom of Finland" was an illustrator known for his portraits of macho gay men. [Brego.net]
 In the Navy - Detour, September 1997
Viggo provides a thoughtful look at his role in G.I. Jane: "[The master chief is] a pretty isolated kind of character. He can't afford to let the people he's training know him very well or know what he's thinking. There's always a distance—you have to earn their respect, and also keep it by mentally being careful of how you deal with people." The interview also touches on Viggo's other films, his poetry, and what he wants from life. [Brego.net]
 Viggo Mortensen - US Magazine #236, September 1997
[Viggo-Works] [Brego.net]
 Vim and Viggo - W magazine, September 1997
Brief, pithy interview with Viggo Mortensen about Urgayle's character in G.I. Jane. "He's not a sexist," Mortensen says. "He tortures everybody. He needs to know Demi's character can handle what she might run into in combat. And, yeah, we do come to blows in one scene, and yeah, it's kind of shocking." Viggo goes on to discuss his preparation for the role. [Brego.net]
What Rhymes with Demi? - Time magazine, September 1, 1997
Brief commentary on Viggo as poet, in seeming (though not actual) contrast with his character in G.I. Jane. [Brego.net]
Jane Man: Viggo Mortensen - Neon, November 1997
Brief, focused article on Viggo's perception of his role as Master Chief Urgayle in G.I. Jane and his preparations for the filming. Excerpt: "Mortensen didn't want his character to be a full-on maniac. 'The easiest thing would have been to make him a woman-hater and a ball-busting head-stomper,' he affirms. Instead he suggested to Scott that 'poetry might be right for this guy.'" [Brego.net]
- Berlingske Tidende, November 4, 1997
 The Scene-Stealer - Vanity Fair, April 1998
A brief summary of Viggo's film roles to date. "Critics find in him a romantic waiting to be released." [Brego.net]
Versatile Viggo - Express, June 5, 1998 [Brego.net]
The Hot New 39-Year-Old - Movieline, August 1998
A fun interview in which Viggo shares stories from the filming of movies from Witness to A Walk on the Moon, and describes his drag queen screen test for To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar. [Viggo-Works]
Leave it to Viggo - Black Book, December 1998
Viggo Mortensen speaks briefly about how he chooses his film roles, and on recreating Psycho. Excerpt: "It was a good blueprint," he says regarding Van Sant's decision to be faithful to the original 1960 thriller in script, score, and marketing. "If you're going to do a remake of a movie, this is the one to do it with because the formula works so well." [Viggo-Works] [Brego.net]
Sensitive side of Psycho - Chicago Sun-Times, December 16, 1998
Viggo Mortensen describes his upcoming role in the Psycho remake, and shares plans for upcoming art showings, books and music.
 Leggo MY Viggo - Jane magazine, January 1999
A brief, flirty interview about Viggo's "Renaissance Man" qualifications, film career, and the rocky start to his art career. Excerpt: "A couple days ago, I looked at all [my] paintings, and I was like, 'I don't know what these are.' Then it snowballed. 'What kind of actor am I anyway? What kind of father? I mean what a joke. God, I'm such a vain, self-involved creature, and I should just stop making these things and inflicting them on people!' I can see why people jump out of windows." [Chronicles] [Viggo-Works] [Brego.net]
Talking with...Viggo Mortensen - Pamela's Film and Entertainment Site, January 1999
 The Fire That Fuels an Artist's Heart - Carpe Noctem #15, March 1999
Viggo comments on most of his pre-1999 movies, including Prison, Leatherface, Reflecting Skin, Indian Runner, Crimson Tide, The Prophecy, G.I. Jane, A Perfect Murder, Psycho, and the upcoming Walk on the Moon (tentatively titled The Blouse Man). He also discusses his art and upcoming showings. Finally, when asked, "In twenty years, would you rather be remembered as an actor who painted or a painter who acted?" he replies, ""I'd like to know that I was honest. I was myself as far as just being an artist and being an actor or poet or photographer or painter or whatever the hell. A pebble stacker, whatever the hell you end up doing, that's art. Being an artist is being an artist. So just be. If you only do acting, you're still an artist. I'd just like to know that I actually challenged myself." [Brego.net]
Rumour haunts Mortensen - Canoe.ca Jam! Showbiz, March 1, 1999
Viggo comments on the rumors surrounding himself and Gwyneth Paltrow following the filming of A Perfect Murder. Excerpt: "My cousins in Denmark were so happy for me. They said Gwyneth was such a snappy dresser and had such fashion style that they hoped it would rub off on me...."
Things Are Weird Enough - Juxtapoz #19, April 1999 [Brego.net]
 Viggo From Five To Seven - Flaunt #3, April 1999
Rambling conversation between Viggo Mortensen and Dennis Hopper. Topics include art, poetry, acting and most anything else. [Chronicles] [Viggo-Works] [Brego.net]
 Viggo Mortensen: Renaissance Man - Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 1, 1999
Interview sets the scene at a showing of Viggo Mortensen's photographs, then provides Viggo's take on Walk on the Moon and the upcoming 28 Days.
Scarred for life - Calgary Sun, April 12, 1999
Viggo explains the origin of the scar on his upper lip, and comments on steamy sex scenes with Paltrow and Walken. Excerpt: "It was a combination of a fist and a barbwire fence on a particularly bad Halloween night. I was 17 and so drunk that I didn't even need an anesthetic when the doctor sewed me up." [Viggo-Works] [Brego.net]
"I didn't break up Gwyneth and Ben" - Now Magazine, April 14, 1999 [Brego.net]
Mooning Over Viggo Mortensen - USA Today, April 21, 1999
The interviewer is slightly confused about Viggo's film roles, saying that Viggo spends "much of [his] screen time making love to the most beautiful and desirable women imaginable" and then names Demi Moore (G.I. Jane) and Julianne Moore (Psycho) as two of those women. But still, the article includes some interesting quotes from Mortensen regarding on-screen romance and his preparation for his roles in A Walk on the Moon and 28 Days. [Viggo-Works] [Brego.net]
 Ways of the Warriors - SFX Fantasy Special, 2001
Viggo Mortensen and Sean Bean describe their characters, Aragorn and Boromir. [Brego.net]
Venice West Beats Immortalized in Cement - Santa Monica Mirror, March 7, 2001
 Pop Stars - InStyle, June 2001
Feature on actors and their children includes a page about Viggo Mortensen, with photographs taken by his son Henry and quotes from both. "What's the most special thing about being a father? Everything," says Viggo. And Henry echoes, "What's special about my dad is... everything." [scans at TORN]
 The Indian Runner - Senses of Cinema, June 2001
This in-depth film review of The Indian Runner is an ode to Sean Penn's skills as a director. The author describes the interplay between the two brothers, played by Viggo Mortensen and David Morse, as "the two leads oppose each other stylistically: Mortenson an extroverted ticking assembly of sly grins and virile explosions contrasts Morse's introspective gentle giant."
 His Occult Fellowship - Fangoria #208, November 2001
Extensive interview in which Viggo Mortensen talks about how he views Aragorn's character, the filming of Fellowship of the Ring, The Prophecy, Leatherface and other earlier films. [Viggo-Works] [scans at TORN] [Brego.net]
Taking it in his Stride - November 2001 [Viggo-Works]
Body of Work - Elle Magazine, December 2001 [Brego.net]
 Ring Master - Details, December 2001
Profile of Viggo Mortensen portrays him as a "steel-jawed hunk" who is also an "overall decent human being." A few anecdotes, quotes from co-stars. [Brego.net]
The Man Who Would Be King - Black+White #58, December 2001
"Brooding cinematic presence, Viggo Mortensen has skirted the fringes of stardom for over a decade. But as Aragorn, the sensitive action hero of The Lord of the Rings, this actor/artist is set to inherit his rightful crown." [Also published as "Striding Ahead," in Dreamwatch #90, March, 2002.] [Chronicles] [Viggo-Works]
 Viggo Mortensen: 'We Were All on an Epic Journey' - Newsweek, December 6, 2001
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." [Viggo-Works]
A Fantastic Leap of Faith - Entertainment Today, December 14, 2001
"Viggo Mortensen had less than a day to decide whether he wanted to spend 18 months in New Zealand battling orcs and protecting hobbits as part of the unprecedented adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy." [HobbitTale]
Viggo Mortensen Interview - Virgin.net, December 18, 2001
Viggo Mortensen talks about making The Fellowship of the Ring, the Harry Potter phenomenon, sword-fighting and his new tattoo. [Viggo-Works] [Chronicles]
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