Ralph Fiennes and Edward Berger came down here to lunch to tell me they wanted to change the nationality of the central character, which I thought, well, if that’s the price of having Ralph Fiennes play him, then I’m willing to pay it, quite frankly.
Inspired by the conclave of 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI, the novel was adapted into a screenplay by Peter Straughan, and brought to life by director Edward Berger, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini.
HARRIS: Yes, it has sold quite a lot actually since October and got a particular boost after the BAFTAs last week.
Harris talked The Associated Press about Fiennes' portrayal of inner turmoil on screen, visiting a fake Sistine Chapel set and that twist.
AP: Do you think in general that people should read the book first before they see a film?.
