Movies

After one legendary moment, actor Rolf Saxon chose to accept another ‘Mission’

BBG News

As a film buff, I’d always strive to be a part of the most unforgettable scene in a movie. Preferably, it would be a heart-pounding sequence that lays the groundwork for an entire series, leaving a lasting impact on viewers and shaping the franchise’s identity.

In other words, Rolf Saxon, an actor, played a puzzled CIA analyst in the initial “Mission: Impossible” movie. The scene where Tom Cruise hangs from the ceiling of a minimalist white vault room to penetrate the computer system controlled by Saxon’s character has become legendary in action cinema history.

In an unexpected twist from a casual joke in the 1996 movie, William Donloe, played by Ving Rhames, is sent to a secluded radar station in Alaska. This seemingly insignificant plot point from the past has evolved into one of the most moving storylines in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” Rhames’ expanded role significantly deepens the film, and his return as Donloe is a testament to its success. Additionally, a particularly noteworthy knife also reappears in this sequel.

In the first movie, Saxon and Cruise’s characters were present together but didn’t interact or exchange words. However, in the new film, Donloe, played by Saxon, expressed a deep emotion to Ethan Hunt (Cruise), which gave closure not only to the character of Donloe but also to the actor who portrayed him.

Speaking about it, Saxon, aged 70, expressed his anticipation, saying “It was something I had been eagerly waiting for, and lo and behold, it came true.” He further added with a gleam in his eyes, “It’s an amazing moment. Collaborating with one of the most renowned actors globally is quite the experience, to say the least.

Ultimately, working alongside Cruise offered Saxon a glimpse into why Cruise has remained one of the most prominent film stars globally for over four decades.

Saxon remarks, ‘There’s no debate about his presence; the aura he exudes in a room is extraordinary, something I’ve never seen before. It’s deliberate, it’s honed. While it might seem like I’m supposed to praise him, it’s genuinely true. This man is simply remarkable, and he performs those mind-blowing feats.’

Saxon also admires the real-world missions that Cruise frequently speaks about, stating, “His entire purpose is to elevate the industry that has provided him so much success and attract more individuals, encouraging them to return to cinemas. I wholeheartedly approve of this endeavor.

Between two significant milestones in his career, known as “Missions,” Saxon resides in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California. However, he found himself in New York City the day after attending the U.S. debut of the film, marking his second viewing. Earlier in the week, he had also attended a premiere for the same movie in London.

Growing up in Virginia, I embarked on my acting journey in England. There, I managed to secure roles in multiple British TV shows, films, and stage productions. Throughout my career, I’ve also lent my voice for video games, such as the “Broken Sword” series, and narrated the American version of the beloved kids’ show “Teletubbies.

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This summer appears packed, offering a mix of major blockbusters from Hollywood, intelligent independent films, and a good dose of entertaining yet brainless movies – all essential elements for a well-rounded summer movie experience.

Based on Saxon’s account, a significant portion of Donloe’s screen work in Brian De Palma’s initial directorial film stemmed from an unforeseen incident during filming.

He reminisces, “Someone handed me the script, I looked it over and felt there wasn’t much for me to do. Later on, during some idle moments on set, I was playfully engaging with my colleagues when I received a gentle tap on the shoulder from the First Assistant Director. She informed me that Brian De Palma wished to speak with me. At this point, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Oh no.’

In a different phraseology, let me rephrase: “Approaching him, I noticed his severe expression. Despite being a fantastic individual, he constantly seemed upset and growled, ‘You’re acting carelessly on set.’ To which I replied, ‘Yes, Mr. De Palma.’ He then asked, ‘Can you do that again?’ I responded, ‘Certainly, of course.’ Now, how do I decline? He informed me, ‘Alright, after lunch, we’ll have you acting foolishly onstage. We’ll record it.'” All the amusing blunders attributed to Donloe – the vomiting, the double take – were Saxon’s improvisations.

In the first film, the vault sequence has emerged as a distinctive highlight, drawing inspiration from both the heist scene in “Rififi” and the spacewalk in “2001: A Space Odyssey.” This pivotal scene, filled with thrilling stunts, serves as a blueprint for the action-packed adventures that lie ahead. To bring this sequence to life, Tom Cruise spent countless hours suspended from the ceiling while wearing a harness.

Saxon remarks, “Indeed, it had been quite some time,” referring to the event or situation they’re discussing. “Occasionally, they would cross paths with him, but he’s a particular individual who takes care of business. I shared the same space as him on several occasions during filming, yet our characters were never intended to interact.

In the realm of cinema, I, Saxon, can’t forget the time while filming the inaugural “Mission” flick, Tom Cruise and I were sharing a makeup room at an English studio. On one particular day, the lady who tended to Tom’s visage was absent due to her son’s accident at school. As soon as he learned of this, Tom promptly phoned his personal on-call physician and dispatched him to provide aid for the young lad.

Saxon recollects, “He ended the call and told, ‘Close the door.’ He made this statement. ‘This secret remains between us. If word leaks out, it’ll be your last day on set. I’m determined to discover who did this, and that will mark the end of their time here. He sought no limelight. Everything he did was for her and her child. The boy was recovering from a mild concussion. Upon her return the following day, there awaited an enormous bouquet of flowers with a ‘Welcome Back’ message. From then on, nothing more was said about it.” This is the kind of man he was. It took me two years before I felt comfortable sharing this tale.

In the past years, Saxon hadn’t crossed paths with Cruise, as he himself puts it, “I may be an actor, but I’m not a celebrity.

The initial call for the new movie was made in January 2022, with Saxon starting to film it in August of the same year, wrapping up in July 2024. It’s worth noting that his casting was announced on director Christopher McQuarrie’s Instagram in March 2023. This time, Donloe plays a crucial role within the team and is right in the thick of things during the movie’s climactic moments. In his years spent in Alaska, he also married an Inuit woman named Tapeesa, portrayed by Lucy Tulugarjuk.

As a film critic, stepping onto this movie set felt like slipping into a warm, inviting embrace – truly welcoming. I spent nearly three years here, but many others were present for over five. The unpredictable shooting schedule, under McQuarrie’s cool demeanor, was challenging yet manageable. McQ and Tom worked in perfect harmony, making each day on set a pleasure. Compared to my experience with Brian’s projects, this one stood out as a joyous journey. I felt more integrated into the team, part of the core group driving the production forward.

Instead of filming “The Final Reckoning” scene set in Alaska, where a group of agents visited a secluded cabin inhabited by Donloe and Tapeesa, it was actually filmed in Svalbard, an island chain located north of Norway.

Saxon mentioned, “For two weeks, we resided on a vessel. Our destination was Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost densely populated region. From there, we embarked on a six-hour journey by ship, eventually anchoring on a glacier. That location was our home for those fortnight days. Among polar bears, walruses, reindeer, and us, it was the most breathtaking place I’ve ever encountered in my lifetime.

In the thrilling climax of the film, the scene taking place inside a cave is actually filmed at the Middleton mines located in England’s East Midlands, despite being portrayed as being situated in South Africa.

According to Saxon, this position was almost ideal in numerous aspects. He found the colleagues he worked with, the projects he handled, and the destinations where he worked to be fantastic. Essentially, he said, if one were asked about their dream job, this would be it.

Initially, during his discussions with McQuarrie, Saxon learned that his role in the upcoming film would expand compared to the first one. However, as production progressed, this expanded role became more defined. McQuarrie later informed him that certain scenes Saxon had originally filmed wouldn’t be included in the final cut, and due to revisions, the actor would now play a crucial part in the climactic ending.

Saxon explained, “What you created was impressive, but there’s been a change in our storyline, so it can’t be used as intended. However, we’ll find other ways to utilize your work,” he said. This statement elicited both a feeling of disappointment and anticipation within me, reflecting the rollercoaster nature of this project.

This time around, Saxon shared the screen with actors he had worked with before. Specifically, Simon Pegg and him were previously part of the 1999 British sitcom “Hippies”. Interestingly, Hayley Atwell and Saxon also have a shared past – they attended drama school in London, although not at the same time. Lastly, Henry Czerny reprised his role from the first film, as it was his character who initially sent Donloe to Alaska.

Regarding if he had ever envisioned coming back to the franchise, Saxon expresses with open arms, “It was just a small dream of mine.

He explains, “I considered composing either Chris or Tom a letter such as, ‘Dear Tom, here’s my idea for Donloe.’ Or, ‘How about this for Donloe?’ At one instance, following a friend’s advice, I drafted a letter to him. The next morning, I woke up and felt, ‘That will never work out.’ And then, surprisingly, many years later, it did.

Saxon claims nobody’s ever acknowledged him for playing Donloe, but that might soon alter. When asked, he consistently points to the initial Mission: Impossible movie as his preferred installment, though this could change in the future.

Saxon muses, “Perhaps I could say it’s a matter of closure.” He admits that this experience has been more engaging compared to the previous one. The earlier project was fulfilling, but this one allowed for in-depth investigation. It’s like returning to a play on stage after many years, or revisiting an old project with the advantage of hindsight and the thrill of a bigger role. It’s simply marvelous. This is another aspect that makes this opportunity so special.

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2025-05-23 23:31

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