Some movies I make for myself. I just sort of make them for myself. I do that sometimes when the subject matter is very sensitive and very personal and I really can't imagine I'm an audience.

It [Lincoln movie] had nothing to do with politics. It had nothing to do with holding a mirror up to the way we conduct our business on Capitol Hill. This was meant to be a story, a Lincoln portrait if you will. I think any time is the right time for a very compelling story, any time.

The thing that I'm just scared to death of is that someday I'm going to wake up and bore somebody with a film.

It is important to know who your friends are and to stay, remain loyal to your friends, despite what you hear, despite the mistakes that are made in friendships and misunderstandings that commonly occur, to be able to forgive and to move on, you have to be able to remember the values of friendship.

I made 'Saving Private Ryan' for my father. He's the one who filled my head with war stories when I was growing up.

I'm not really interested in making money.

When I don't have a movie, I don't take a job just for the sake of working. I just sit it out until I find something I'm passionate about.