Westerns are one of our richest film genres. Why do you think they have been so popular over the years and continue to appeal to a wide audience?

I think it has to do with the fact that our world seems to be shrinking. These days, we can all see the farthest corners of the earth on television. Cities are crowded, and even rural areas get cable and have easy access to malls. Westerns give people a chance to see wide open spaces and life before technology took over. They are set in a much simpler time, and I think that's very appealing to people.

The Virginian carries a lot of history with it. It is credited with being the first Western novel, and it has endured over the last century. How did you, as a filmmaker, feel about bringing a novel with such a rich history to the screen?

The Virginian does have a rich history. The novel was published in 1902 and almost immediately there were stage productions, five or six at a time, crisscrossing the country. Medicine Bow, Wyoming, became something of a Mecca, with people traveling there from all over to see where Owen Wister stepped off the train and saw his mythical cowboy hero. In 1911, a hotel was built to house the visitors that were expected for decades to come.

Interest in The Virginian waned a little bit in the 1930s, but to me, Western stories are kind of like America's Shakespeare. They are tales of people in conflict with the land, with each other and with themselves. I think The Virginian will continue to be reinterpreted as time goes on.

What are some of the qualities that Owen Wister gave to The Virginian that differentiate it from other Westerns?

The Virginian has a very important romantic storyline that you don't find in a lot of Westerns. The story is clearly centered on the relationship between the Virginian and Molly. The Virginian has shied away from responsibility for most of his adult life, but when Molly enters the picture, he accepts the foreman's job. He could never know that as he seeks to get closer to Molly, he actually is taking steps that will move him further away from her.

At the heart of the story is quite a bit of pain and a sense of loss. Not just between the couple, but also a sense of loss about the country and the changing times.

What does Diane Lane bring to her role?

Diane is a very intelligent actress and she has a great openness and willingness to try new experiences. In the film, Molly has a similar openness. She moves from her home in Vermont to test the waters in the West. I think their similarities allow Diane to play Molly with strength, a little daring and integrity.