Blanchett's crash course in German

Cate Blanchett

Australian actress Cate Blanchett said it was a challenge to learn the pitch-perfect German she spoke in her romantic thriller The Good German but hopes it will spark a trend.

Being forced to speak German in the latest picture, which was filmed in authentic period style, had been a wise decision, she said.

Director Steven Soderbergh said he had "sandbagged" Blanchett by telling her at the last minute she would have to speak German.