"Doctor Jones... Again we see there is nothing you can possess which I can not take away."
Such a thrill and honor to interview the great PAUL FREEMAN this morning for the documentary. His character, Rene Belloq, is featured twice within Richard Amsel's RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK 1982 re-release poster. and Freeman expressed his joy at seeing the illustration for the first time.
“Monsieur Belloq is such a compelling character,” I said, “that I always thought he warranted his own movie.” Freeman agreed, and seemed intrigued when I noted his resemblance to that of Paul Henreid’s character, Victor Lazlo, in CASABLANCA. Lazlo was the noble, virtuous leader of the French resistance in that classic film, while RAIDERS’ Belloq was a Frenchman working in league with the Nazis for his own nefarious purposes.
“He’s the dark, moral opposite of him, yes,” Freeman said, though he wasn’t aware of any deliberate attempt to pattern Indiana Jones’ definitive arch nemesis after that earlier character’s fashion and stylings. The irony, however, is undeniable.
Freeman is supremely gracious and charming, speaks with such a melodious voice, and probably has the most piercingly bright blue eyes I've seen on a person since I met another Paul (Newman) decades ago, during the production of NOBODY’S FOOL.
When I pointed out to Mr. Freeman that Amsel's poster featured Belloq with both blue and red eyes in his different portraits on the RAIDERS poster, it took the actor by surprise. He never noticed it until now.
My heartfelt thanks to Mr. Freeman for his time and generosity, and to all those who helped make this interview happen.
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