WASHINGTON, D.C. — Smart action director Phillip Noyce (“Patriot Games,” “Clear and Present Danger”) describes Angelina Jolie, star of his thrilling “Salt,” as a “fearless” actress.

Adds formidable producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (the “Transformers” franchise, among countless other movies): “Angie’s attitude simply sets her apart.”

Here in the reputed “Spy Capital of the World,” Jolie herself offered a pleasant and stunning presence — in black jacket and dress from Ferragamo — while answering questions about her life and, of course, her on-the-run role as a CIA officer accused of being a Russian operative.

This is an extremely physical character. Were you an athlete?

Yeah, I was, I suppose.

Did you play team sports?

Track. I ran track.

Sprints?

No, long distance.

What was toughest to do: the (Russian) language, the stunts or the chase on foot?

The chase on foot. I wish everybody had outtakes of that. Each time we ran, you’d see all three of us (including co-stars Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor) laying down on the cement and just (panting) at the end.

But, I think the only hard one was the last kill. I was worried I was going to break my arm just because something was tied to something else and it was a little odd. There was something awkward about it. If it went wrong, I was a little concerned.

When you got the call for the part, you told (Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman) Amy Pascal you wanted to play someone like a James Bond character, but not a “Bond girl.”

She had me in for lunch and asked me about doing a Bond movie. I jokingly said, “I want to play Bond,” and we had a laugh. Then, she called me about two or three years later and said, “I think I found it.” I said, “All right.” She said, “His name is Edwin.” I said, “It sounds sexy. Send it over.

Are you amazed at the recent spy case breaking now?

It’s so bizarre. There are two sides of us here: one that’s really interested in film and really interesting, and the other side of us as citizens, in which it’s very important we have a good relationship with Russia. Our countries have been moving forward, so we don’t want anything to set it back. It’s kind of two ways of looking at something.

During those stunts, did you ever think, “What am I doing?”

I had a moment on my first day because I hadn’t worked for a year and a half. I’d been at home and I’d had the babies (twins). On that first day back, I thought, “What am I doing? I’m somebody’s mother!”

You and (husband) Brad Pitt alternate making films because you want to be home with your six kids. Do people still try to get you to do things together?

Not a lot, but there’s always discussion. I mean, we’ll read something and there’s usually a girl in his or a guy in mine, but it’s something you really think about for the audience.

We’d love to work together, and I’m sure we could figure out a way to have the kids with us, but it’s trying to find the right thing. I think it’s very hard as a couple to figure out what audiences are comfortable seeing you as. Some things just don’t work, so you’d only do it if you think it’d be good for a movie, if it’d be fun and if people would like to see it. As much as we’d like to indulge as artists and play together, we really have to find a thing that would actually be welcomed by audiences.

As parents of six kids, is it hard to be equally attentive?

You just try to feel them. Different ones need you at different times, and if you listen to them, you feel that. Because there are two of us, we’re able to kind of spread the attention around.

For example, they all came with me to Cancun. Then, I came back and spent a lot of time with the babies. Then, the girls came to D.C. because it’s a girl trip, while the boys are having special boy time with Dad. We try to schedule it in a way so that everyone has special time.

Is it hard to balance life and work?

I feel so fortunate that I'm able to do things I love in life. When your work is a pleasure for you, you are so grateful. I have my health and my kids’ health, and I’m happy to be busy every day.

Did you get your pilot’s license so you can deliver charitable relief supplies?

That's one reason. I also love to fly, and I also thought it would be fun to do that with my pilot’s license at some point.

How do you and Brad find your “couples” time?

We plan it. We have to.

What have you learned about yourself as a mom?

I’ve become more patient — and more silly. I always wake up with an immediate, constant reminder of exactly what’s important. Since having children, I’ve not been thrown from that. Children are very grounding. They keep you on track with all the joys and pleasures of life.

Read more by John M. Urbancich at http://jmuvies.blogspot.com/