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Skyfall director Sam Mendes, Kevin Costner's TV series

Kirsty Lang meets Sam Mendes, director of the Bond film Skyfall, plus Kevin Costner in TV series Hatfields & McCoys, and biographer Tom Reiss on the real Count of Monte Cristo.

With Kirsty Lang.

Sam Mendes, director of the new James Bond film Skyfall, discusses the vital ingredients needed to make a successful 007
adventure, and the art of updating Ian Fleming's classic character for a contemporary audience.

Kevin Costner won the Best Actor in a mini-series award at the Emmys this year for his performance in the TV drama Hatfields & McCoys. He's not the only Hollywood star winning acclaim on TV - Claire Danes, Julianne Moore and Jessica Lange all also won Emmys this year for their small-screen work. As Hatfields & McCoys comes to the UK, Sarah Churchwell reviews the programme, and considers the allure of TV for cinema stars.

Biographer Tom Reiss discusses the real Count of Monte Cristo: General Alexandre Dumas was an idol of Revolutionary France, famed for his military exploits and physical courage. He inspired the adventure novels The Three Musketeers and The Count Of Monte Cristo, which were written by his son, also called Alexandre. Tom Reiss discusses how General Dumas, the son of a black slave, rose to a position of power, which brought him into conflict with Napoleon.

Producer Claire Bartleet.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 22 Oct 2012 19:15
91热爆 Radio 4

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Clip

Chapters

  • Sam Mendes

    Sam Mendes

    Duration: 11:58

  • Hatfields and McCoys

    Sarah Churchwell reviews a new drama about the American Civil War, Hatfields & McCoys

    Duration: 05:14

  • Rod Stewart

    Singer Rod Stewart refutes some of the myths that surround him

    Duration: 01:02

  • The Black Count

    Author Tom Reiss discusses his biography of the real life of the Count of Monte Cristo

    Duration: 09:32

Broadcast

  • Mon 22 Oct 2012 19:15
    91热爆 Radio 4

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