Tell me, how did you come up with the idea for the action sequences in this film because they really are spectacular...

The story was Tom Cruise, he need to go very fast, try to save a girl... when I speak to Tom, I find actually he’s a very interesting guy, he’s so charming and he likes speed. He also likes danger, you know, and he is such a great energy guy. So that gave me the idea to create the action sequence. Try to use a motorcycle to show his great energy and speed.

How much input did Tom Cruise have in working out the action scenes with you?

He totally trust in me, he let me do whatever I want. He wanted to try do something new and he also mentioned he love Bruce Lee’s movie and he wanted to do something like Bruce Lee. Then I decided some kick boxing action for him like he jump, flip in the air and kick the guy and he did it so beautifully and I must say that all the stunts are done by himself.

Did that worry you at times, that he was endangering his life on occasion?

I got panic every day, so much worried about his safety. He only got a very simple safety cable and he did the climbing and jumped off the cliff all by himself. The cliff was 2000 feet high and there was no protection on the ground, so every so often I just kept praying for him but he, he had no fear, he just loves challenges. So some of the stunts he did seven time, eight times, until he got a perfect shot.

You direct action scenes in a very distinctive, very impressive way. Do you see yourself more as a choreographer when you’re putting those scenes together as opposed to just a straightforward director?

Yes, it’s a little bit of both. I just feel like I’m making a dancing sequence... and I like beautiful thing. I like the beauty of the action, I like the beauty of the body movements. Every action sequence all in my mind and I edit in my mind and I design all the action.

You picked up much of your film-making skills working in Hong Kong. Now that you’re doing more movies in Hollywood does it worry you that you might lose some of the edge that you had when you were younger?

(laughs) Well I don’t think so. I must say that I have learnt a lot from Hollywood... I will maintain my own style and also try to combine my own culture in Hollywood film.

John Woo, thanks very much indeed for talking to us, and it was a very impressive looking film.

Thank you very much.