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American Morning

Interview With Harrison Ford

Aired July 17, 2002 - 09:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: One of the biggest draws at the box office, Harrison Ford has a new movie coming out this weekend, "K-19: The Widowmaker."

And our Deborah Feyerick had the very tough task of sitting down right across from the actor to talk about the movie.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To undertake an exercise of this scope, maybe with respect, premature.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no doubt in my mind that K-19 is ready to fulfill her mission.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sea trials begin in two weeks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The boat isn't ready.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We deliver or we drown.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is one of the first times that we've seen the Russian point of view. It's a very interesting historical story based on such a powerful event.

HARRISON FORD, ACTOR: Well it's very rare for an American movie to do what this film attempts to do which is tell a story of Russians from a Russian point of view. There's no -- the discipline here is to avoid an American commentary on a Russian system, Russian military, Russian values. And I think we -- I think we were very stringent in not doing that.

FEYERICK: What was the thing that was most striking to you? Here you have the submarine in the middle of the ocean and reactors melting down, everybody's lives are at stake; but there's an even bigger issue. What -- just on a gut level, what really fascinated you about this story?

FORD: Well to me what was most interesting was the -- was the moral responsibility of military command and taking the responsibility for men's lives and what the different theories are that are represented by the character Liam Neeson and the character that I play. The character I play believes that his duty lies in his allegiance to the state. And Liam Neeson is a much more a man of the people who believes that his ultimate goal is to protect the lives of his crew.

FEYERICK: You spoke to sailors, you spoke to their families, what are the stories that they told you in preparation for this movie?

FORD: Well one of the interesting things is that no two stories were alike, because a submarine is compartmentalized. Each of these guys had different memories of the -- of the events, as well they were separated after the event and disbursed to different commands. So it was interesting trying to figure out what really happened.

FEYERICK: As we wrap up, I know and everybody loves you as "Indiana Jones," and I think you're planning on a fourth "Indiana Jones."

FORD: We're hoping that we're all able to agree on a script that we're working on now. And if it comes together and everybody's happy, I'd be delighted to play the character again.

FEYERICK: Seems like a good -- a good time for you, though, a good chapter.

FORD: I'm pleased to still be here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FORD: I want my men off this boat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would rather die than abandon my men.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nine hundred fifty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZAHN: Good luck, Harrison, with the opening.

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