Chinatown Revisited with Roman Polanski, Robert Evans and Robert Towne (1999 Video) User Reviews

The creators talk about their film project...

[Doylenf · 6/10 · 29 June 2008]

Roman Polanski, Robert Evans and Robert Towne talk about the making of CHINATOWN, the decision to use a different musical score by Jerry Goldsmith when the first one didn't work, the fact that Polanski was given freedom to make the film in his own style without a lot of creative interference from studio bigwigs.

Robert Towne explains how he came to write the scenario after reading about corrupt land exploitation in California and how he envisioned writing for Jack Nicholson, a close friend and associate who was involved with the project from the start.

Producer Robert Evans talks about the anticipation of a studio preview where they had no idea what kind of effect the film, with its intellectual script, would have on audiences--and how gratifying those first reviews were when they turned out to be raves.

Well worth watching as a companion piece to viewing the film itself.

Chinatown 101

[Michael_Elliott · 25 February 2012]

Chinatown Revisited (1999)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Director Roman Polanski, writer Robert Towne and producer Robert Evans are interviewed about the making of CHINATOWN, the classic noir film with Jack Nicholson. Polanski starts off talking about how it was Nicholson who sent him the script as the two had been wanting to work together for quite some time. From here we learn about the casting of the movie and the director mentions that he wanted Faye Dunaway even though the producer was pushing for Jane Fonda. The casting of John Huston is also discussed and it's clear all three were wanting him and knew it was some of the most important casting in the picture. Polanski and Towne also discuss the various connections to previous noir characters including Marlowe and the work of Raymond Chandler. Towne also tells a neat story about what he wanted out of the Dunaway character. Fans of CHINATOWN are certainly going to enjoy hearing all of these stories and some of the most fascinating stuff comes in regards to the ending, which apparently Evans didn't originally want. They all agree that a movie like this couldn't be made in today's times without some major changes. At under 20-minutes there's no question that the film deserves a more detailed documentary. Perhaps interviews with Nicholson or Dunaway would be great but also just more about the actual making. Until then, this featurette is still fun and worth watching.