I wanted to write and direct movies and not be forced to adapt them from a bestselling book.

I always knew what I thought the theme was, the core, in one word. In 'The Godfather' it was succession. In 'The Conversation' it was privacy. In 'Apocalypse' it was morality.

The things you get fired for when you’re young are the same things that you get lifetime achievement awards for when you’re old.

I had an older brother who was very interested in literature, so I had an early exposure to literature, and and theater. My father sometimes would work in musical comedies.

If you're a person who says yes most of the time, you'll find yourself in the hotel business and the restaurant business.

My family were symphonic musicians and in the opera. Also, it was my era, the love of radio. We used to listen to the radio at night, close our eyes and see movies far more beautiful than you can photograph.

I was interested in the idea of succession - showing a father and a son both in their own time and drawing a contrast