Ron Perlman spat in Sean Connery’s face 16 times in The Name of the Rose
The making of classic cinema often involves moments of wonderfully absurd reality. For actor Ron Perlman, one such memorable moment came during the filming of the 1986 masterpiece, The Name Of The Rose.
The scene in question, which remains a talking point among film aficionados, involved Perlman having to spit in the face of his co-star, Sean Connery, a requirement that reportedly had to be repeated sixteen times to capture the necessary angles for the shot.
The film itself is a gripping historical mystery, centered around Friar William Of Baskerville, as portrayed by Connery, who navigates a series of baffling deaths within a medieval abbey. During his investigation, he encounters Perlman’s character, Salvatore, a hunchback who speaks in a chaotic mix of languages.
The anecdote highlights the complex relationship between actors and directors under pressure. Perlman recounted the experience in a new interview, emphasizing the collaborative atmosphere he shared with Connery.
The Guardian noted that Perlman spent every available moment immersed in working with Connery, absorbing his performances and stories. When it came to the demanding scene, Perlman admitted he simply could not perform the required physical act, describing it as a moment where he felt he couldn’t do it.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn. Connery reportedly insisted on the action, stating that without it, he had nothing to work with. Perlman explained that this led to a moment of concession, resulting in a hearty loogie flying into the camera.
The technical demands of filming further complicated matters. Since the scene needed to be captured from various perspectives—including profile, medium shot, closeup, and over-the-shoulder—Perlman had to repeat the action sixteen times to achieve the necessary visual variety.
When speaking to the BBC in 2014 about the experience, Perlman reflected on the dynamic between him and Connery. He noted being asked to perform such a memorable stunt while working alongside a man he considered one of the greatest actors he had ever been in the presence of.
Meanwhile, the creative vision behind the film also took an interesting path. Director Jean-Jacques Annaud had originally envisioned casting an unknown actor for the role of William Of Baskerville. It was only when Sean Connery arrived at his home and began reading from the novel that the director felt a profound connection. He described the way Connery delivered the dialogue as exactly what he had been hearing in his head while reading the book.
This story of collaborative absurdity sits alongside other fascinating details of the film’s production, underscoring how the magic of cinema is often forged through unexpected, human moments.
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