I am... a mushroom; On whom the dew of heaven drops now and then.

I like, as a director and a spectator, simple, direct, frank films. Nothing disgusts me more than snobbism, mannerism, technical gratuity... and, most of all, intellectualism.

Why, I hold fate Clasped in my fist, and could command the course Of time's eternal motion, hadst thou been One thought more steady than an ebbing sea.

I didn't show up at the ceremony to collect any of my first three Oscars. Once I went fishing, another time there was a war on, and on another occasion, I remember, I was suddenly taken drunk.

Who better than an Irishman can understand the Indians, while still being stirred by tales of the US cavalry?

To be quite blunt, I make pictures for money, to pay the rent.There are some great artists in the business. I am not one of them.

The main thing about directing is: photograph the people's eyes.