Phone Message Transcript: July 18, 2001
[appearing on Anne's fan phone line]

"Anne Rice Message to the Internet and to the Phone Line

Hello guys,
If you did not catch the mini-series THE MISTS OF AVALON over the weekend, by all means try to catch the encore performances on TNT. This production based on the novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley was absolutely fantastic - no pun intended. It involves the story of King Arthur and Camelot, including the Mystical Island of Avalon, the home of the Mother Goddess and the Lady of the Lake. The cast is absolutely outstanding. The cinematography and the direction were superb. (And by the way, the director Uli Edel also did LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN, a film which I think is a masterpiece.) Costumes and sets were lavish. Battle scenes were absolutely convincing. In fact, everything about this production was convincing. But the real joy for me was the dialog. The actors and actresses speak in what I believe is called high diction, yet they are always completely believable and emotionally compelling.

It is impossible to praise this mini-series too much. I'm proud to say that I know some of the people connected with it and I would trust these people with my own work. Needless to say, I have ordered the novel and I hope to read it soon. I remember when it came out many, many years ago. I saw it in a bookstore and bought it immediately but never got around to really reading it. I am looking forward to the pleasure now. Once again, I recommend this program highly. I hope the day dawns soon when we can buy MISTS OF AVALON on VHS or DVD.

Let me give you one more movie recommendation before I go - TRAFFIC. I thought it was wonderfully made and it scared the hell out of me. When are we going to decriminalize drugs so that we can really win the drug war?

My love to all of you. Take care and keep leaving me your phone messages.

Anne Rice"

(This message was typed and read over the phone line by Verona Aguilar)