Unlike the other 5 documentaries found in the Extra Features menu on the special and/or deluxe DVD versions of The Terminal, "The People of The Terminal" comprises three separate videos instead of just the one. The first focuses on the main character, the second on the love interest and the third is about the rest of them (six supporting characters in fact). Lucky for us, the DVD menu includes a 'play all' option.
Tom Hanks is "Viktor" (7 minutes 38 seconds)
Tom read the screenplay a long time ago and wanted to do it even before Steven S. got involved. Steven makes it clear that Viktor's home country Krakozhia does not really exist. Tom was influenced by his father-in-law when creating the Krakozshian accent. The two of them compare their working relationship, having made three films together at this point (the others being 1998's "Saving Private Ryan" and 2002's "Catch Me If You Can"). Spielberg reveals that Hanks did more improv and was more inventive while filming The Terminal this third time round.
Catherine Zeta-Jones is "Amelia" (8 minutes 41 seconds)
Catherine recounts that Steven kick-started her career when he spotted her in the 1996 CBS TV movie version of "Titanic", then arranged to meet her on the set of "Jurassic Park: The Lost World" (1997) to talk about a part in "The Mask of Zorro" (1998). Spielberg explains it was quite daring to cast the gorgeous Zeta-Jones as a woman who is unlucky in love. To be precise, she's in love with a man who plays hard-to-get-a-commitment-out-of (played by Michael Nouri, not Chris Sarandon). Viktor wins her heart by just patiently listening. Then the two main actors start gushing about each other while we are treated to behind the scenes footage of them goofing and awkwardly dancing around on set.
Victor's World (15 minutes 30 seconds)
Stanley Tucci is "Dixon". All he's doing is his job. Dixon is under approval for a top position at the airport and can't use a problem like Viktor at this moment. Viktor becomes a threat to Dixon's career. Tucci was Spielbergs first and only choice.
Barry Shabaka Henley is "Thurman". Each time this actor's name is mentioned, it sounds like 'Chewbacca', but it's actually 'Shabaka'. Thurman is not allowed to show sympathy for Viktor's situation. Shabaka worked as a prison guard in San Fransisco and knows exactly what this feels like.
Diego Luna is "Enrique". Diego was another first choice from Steven after seeing Luna in "Y tu mamá también" (2001). His character was part of several supporting characters from various nationalities that underline the film's theme of immigrants coming to a land of milk and honey from all over the world.
Zoe Saldana is "Officer Torres". Zoe was discovered by casting director Debby Zane rather than Steven (this being before she got her part in the first Pirates of the Caribean). She was told main objective was just to have fun with the role and shout 'Next' at the top of her lungs.
Kumar Pallana is "Gupta". Another Zane discovery who's participation was a bit questionable for a while because of his advancing age. He had the part when he shook hands with Spielberg and said hello. His son and daughter helped him out on set with the more physical scenes but their exact contributions remain unclear in this documentary.
Chi McBride is "Mulroy". Chi turns his segments into a stand-up act and mostly talks about Kumar (who is fast taking over the focus of this feature). Spielberg first describes Viktor's friends as the Three Wise Men, then changes his mind and calls Chi the Cowardly Lion, Kumar the scarecrow and Diego the Tin Man, meaning Tom Hanks is Dorothy.
Next we're going to have to fasten our seat-belts for "Take Off: Making The Terminal"
8 out of 10
Tom Hanks is "Viktor" (7 minutes 38 seconds)
Tom read the screenplay a long time ago and wanted to do it even before Steven S. got involved. Steven makes it clear that Viktor's home country Krakozhia does not really exist. Tom was influenced by his father-in-law when creating the Krakozshian accent. The two of them compare their working relationship, having made three films together at this point (the others being 1998's "Saving Private Ryan" and 2002's "Catch Me If You Can"). Spielberg reveals that Hanks did more improv and was more inventive while filming The Terminal this third time round.
Catherine Zeta-Jones is "Amelia" (8 minutes 41 seconds)
Catherine recounts that Steven kick-started her career when he spotted her in the 1996 CBS TV movie version of "Titanic", then arranged to meet her on the set of "Jurassic Park: The Lost World" (1997) to talk about a part in "The Mask of Zorro" (1998). Spielberg explains it was quite daring to cast the gorgeous Zeta-Jones as a woman who is unlucky in love. To be precise, she's in love with a man who plays hard-to-get-a-commitment-out-of (played by Michael Nouri, not Chris Sarandon). Viktor wins her heart by just patiently listening. Then the two main actors start gushing about each other while we are treated to behind the scenes footage of them goofing and awkwardly dancing around on set.
Victor's World (15 minutes 30 seconds)
Stanley Tucci is "Dixon". All he's doing is his job. Dixon is under approval for a top position at the airport and can't use a problem like Viktor at this moment. Viktor becomes a threat to Dixon's career. Tucci was Spielbergs first and only choice.
Barry Shabaka Henley is "Thurman". Each time this actor's name is mentioned, it sounds like 'Chewbacca', but it's actually 'Shabaka'. Thurman is not allowed to show sympathy for Viktor's situation. Shabaka worked as a prison guard in San Fransisco and knows exactly what this feels like.
Diego Luna is "Enrique". Diego was another first choice from Steven after seeing Luna in "Y tu mamá también" (2001). His character was part of several supporting characters from various nationalities that underline the film's theme of immigrants coming to a land of milk and honey from all over the world.
Zoe Saldana is "Officer Torres". Zoe was discovered by casting director Debby Zane rather than Steven (this being before she got her part in the first Pirates of the Caribean). She was told main objective was just to have fun with the role and shout 'Next' at the top of her lungs.
Kumar Pallana is "Gupta". Another Zane discovery who's participation was a bit questionable for a while because of his advancing age. He had the part when he shook hands with Spielberg and said hello. His son and daughter helped him out on set with the more physical scenes but their exact contributions remain unclear in this documentary.
Chi McBride is "Mulroy". Chi turns his segments into a stand-up act and mostly talks about Kumar (who is fast taking over the focus of this feature). Spielberg first describes Viktor's friends as the Three Wise Men, then changes his mind and calls Chi the Cowardly Lion, Kumar the scarecrow and Diego the Tin Man, meaning Tom Hanks is Dorothy.
Next we're going to have to fasten our seat-belts for "Take Off: Making The Terminal"
8 out of 10