A Chorus Line (1985)

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A Chorus Line was engineered by Jake Eberts with people he knew in America. I thought Michael Douglas was terrific on screen and had the most extraordinary persona. It was a huge decision to make because, of course, it was the greatest show in the history of Broadway and a number of major film-makers had turned it down saying it couldn't be done. Rightly or wrongly I took the decision to let the action virtually never leave the theatre. I knew nothing about dancing, but worked with a brilliant choreographer and we got some marvellous choreographed cinematic effects.

The picture was slated in America - it got the most terrible reviews - basically on the principle, I believe as to how could this bloody limey come to the US and attempt to tamper with one of our icons. The wonderful thing was that the New York Post theatre and ballet critic, Clive Barnes, wrote the most devastating attack on all his colleagues saying they knew nothing about dance and that the film was brilliantly choreographed and shot. In Britain it got great reviews and did huge business. I loved it because I am a ham at heart and I was in love with every single one of the girls. I am proud of the film.

Lord Attenborough