‘I spat in Sean Connery’s face 16 times’: Ron Perlman on making The Name of the Rose
Ron Perlman recalls how director Jean-Jacques Annaud brought Umberto Eco’s medieval murder mystery *The Name of the Rose* to the screen, and how Perlman secured the role of Salvatore. The film’s production drew on his fascination with medieval history and architecture, with specialist historians helping to shape its details.
Perlman says Sean Connery joined after arriving in person to read for William of Baskerville, while 16-year-old Christian Slater was cast as Adso despite arriving unprepared for his audition. A large monastery set was built near Rome, where Connery’s cowl caught fire during filming and actor Feodor Chaliapin Jr was injured by falling timber. Perlman also recalls having to spit in Connery’s face repeatedly for a scene, after Connery encouraged him to do it for real.
- Ron Perlman tells how he landed a role in *The Name of the Rose*.
- Sean Connery read for the lead in person.
- A face-spitting scene had to be repeated 16 times.
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"The Name of the Rose" is a 1986 film adaptation of Umberto Eco's acclaimed novel, a medieval murder mystery set in a monastery. Director Jean-Jacques Annaud brought the story to screen with meticulous attention to historical detail, employing specialists to ensure its authenticity.
The production featured Sean Connery as the lead, alongside Christian Slater and Ron Perlman. Filming took place on an elaborate monastery set near Rome, where the cast and crew faced various challenges in recreating authentic medieval settings.
Actor Ron Perlman has recently recounted memories of making the film, offering insight into its production and the experience of working on such an ambitious historical drama. His firsthand account provides perspective on how this production came together.