Trainspotting, Danny Boyle s generation-defining adaptation of Irvine Welsh s cult novel, just turned 25 – and it remains a landmark British film, packed with iconic images, characters, and scenes that left an indelible mark on the medium. Across two-and-a-half decades, it catapulted its director and stars to greater heights, spawned belated sequel T2 Trainspotting, and remains one of the most important films of the 1990s. Originally published in March 1996, in issue #81, Empire presents the full story of Trainspotting s creation from behind-the-scenes accounts at the time, right back to the script stage, up to its eventual release. Choose to read it here:
You re a director/producer/writer team trying to carve a niche for yourselves in the British Film Industry. You make a modest little thriller, filmed in Glasgow in 30 days and starring a trio of relatively unknown actors. You decide to call it
Irvine Welsh on almost acting, wild parties, travel and 25 years of smash-hit film
The Trainspotting writer looks back on how his gritty story took the world by storm with John Niven.
Irvine Welsh
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