My mother and father were interested in the arts.

I have never been sorry to see my sets being struck, provided they are well photographed. They're not works of art but part of making a film.

What I felt at that time - we're talking about '61 - was that I couldn't remember seeing a film that reflected the age we were living in.

A studio allows me more freedom. You can create your own sort of reality which is actually more exciting than shooting on location. You can conjure up a complete atmosphere of escapism for the public.

The cinema is there to heighten the imagination; I have always tried to make sure it does so.

I'm an incurable romantic, and 'Casablanca''s one of the most romantic pictures I've ever seen - the combination of Bogart and Bergman is just magical.

To be successful, you really have to put your ego in the background and try to be diplomatic to achieve what you want to achieve.