For actress Joanne Whalley, the experience of working on Willow was truly unique. It was the first time she had been involved with an action/adventure, fantasy film and it was the first time she had literally fallen in love and married her leading man. It was on Willow that Joanne first met her new husband, actor Val Kilmer.

Joanne was born in Stockport, Manchester, England, and made her professional acting debut in the Granada TV play Life & Soul. She has since appeared numerous times on British television and won critical and public acclaim in the Granada TV series, A Kind of Loving.

Joanne has been very active on the stage as well, starring in numerous plays and has been seen on film opposite George C. Scott in A Christmas Carol as well as the films No Surrender and The Good Father.

It was her appearance as the evil Queen Bavmorda's daughter, Sorsha, in Willow, that brought her to the attention of American audiences, though. While Sorsha is loyal to her mother at the first of the film, she ultimately comes to realize that there is an alternative path to tread.

Joanne met with The Lucasfilm Fan Club on the set of Willow to discuss her experience and feelings about this extraordinary film.

Joanne as Sorsha, the determined daughter of Queen Bavmorda.

Joanne, what do you like most about Willow?

Well, it's a classic story. It has all the right elements in it. It's just so exciting to have done a movie on this scale. It is really a story that affects you on many levels. It's very humorous and, at times, it's very sad. I think it pulls all the right emotions out of you.

What was your first impression when you walked on some of these massive sets built for the movie?

I was in awe when I first saw some of them. They have just been stunning. It always makes me laugh when you walk on to a set, like the Nockmaar Castle, and you look around and it looks like you're really there. Then you come outside the set and you see all this scaffolding and everything that holds it up! It's very funny! I've never worked on a picture in this genre before so it's wonderful to see all these very imaginative sets.

Are you interested in the fantasy genre?

Not really. I've done other things besides fantasy. For instance, before I started work on Willow, I was doing a Chekhov play in the theatre--which is very different from Willow! So when we had rehearsals for the film before we started shooting, I had been doing theatre in the evenings and during the day I would come over to the Willow set and get some fencing lessons. It was all very bizarre to go to the theatre after a day on Willow! They are so different from each other.

What aspect of Sorsha do you find most attractive?

She's very tough. My first impression when I read the script was that we would get to see a young woman who's in control and has a certain amount of power and responsibility and not just some young girl wandering around the castle in a long dress. So it was good to see her as a strong person. But she also has a great vulnerability which comes into the story and it changes her. She's a very real character. The fantasy pictures that I've seen before often fall down for me because the characters are either all swashbuckling and killing monsters and so on and they never really reach another level. I think what makes Willow different is that it does go beyond that.

Do you like the costume you wear?

I really like the costumes because they're very real looking. At first, I was a bit worried my costume might look a little too glamorous and not practical. And the film is very earthy and real and both Ron and George were very keen to make sure that happened. My final costume, thought, looked very practical. It looks like I fight in it and work in it. It's dirty and it's real and I like that.

How is your swordfighting?

I got pretty good with my sword actually! (Laughter) We were very lucky because we had Bill Hobbs, who is the best fight director in the world. Before I ever shot anything for the film I would come over to Elstree Studios during the day and Bill and I would get together and practice swordfighting. I did all my fights myself. But the stuntmen were very helpful in making it look real.

Joanne on the set of Willow with husband Val Kilmer -- who she met on the film.

Were those swords very heavy?

They were kind of heavy. They were made out of metal. I think they're a special alloy which is probably lighter than other materials. And having them as light as possible is a real bonus when you've been fighting all day with it.

What did you find most difficult about this film?

It's been quite strange doing all the action stuff. I've never done anything like that before. There's so many things you have to consider apart from just playing your character. The fighting worried me at first because it's quite dangerous but now I can fight quite well! (Laughter) But there are just so many other things to deal with. It's not a film with one camera and two people in a room. It's on a much larger scale. But you adapt to it.

How did you like working with George Lucas and Ron Howard?

George was around a lot which was great. I didn't work directly with George because Ron was directing the film. But George was always available and good to talk with. And the same for Ron. He's great! I love his sense of humor and his wit. He cares about the actors. I'm sure being an actor himself was helpful in working with us. There was always a nice feeling on the set. You could always approach people and there was time if you needed it. There were times when things were very hectic and moving fast but you could always take five minutes to talk about something that was really bothering you.

When I was doing my play in the theatre just before I started work in Willow, the crew had already started shooting but without me. Ron actually came out to see my show. He must have been up to his neck with things to do but he took the time out to come and see my play. I really appreciated that.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?

I read a lot. I get on sort of "teach yourself" kicks! (Laughter) I really like to be doing something positive and feel like I've achieved something. Recently I took up guitar. I had to cut my nails to do it but it was worth it. Now I can play seven chords and I'm very pleased with myself! I also thought I would try to brush up on my French so I bought myself a French book and I've been sort of wrestling with that. Sometimes I just like to feel like I've done something. It depresses me when I'm not working so I try to fill up my weeks in between jobs with something constructive. Even if it's just cleaning the flat! (Laughter) I get very big on cleaning!

Joanne, in conclusion, what pleases you most about your association with Willow?

There will be a lot of children who will see Willow and I'm sure they will love it. I was very glad about the positive image that Sorsha has. She's very feminine, she has vulnerabilities and a sense of humor and, at the same time, she's very strong. She's a very positive individual. The movie and the character are something I would want my children to see. She's a very positive image for children and for little girls in particular.

Joanne, thank you for the interview.