There are three movies that I am exceptionally proud of in my life, and I rarely commit to a list of films that I like, that I've made... but these are the three films that I was passionately connected to. The first was 'ET,' the second 'Schindler's List,' and third is 'Saving Private Ryan.'

I made 'Empire of the Sun' in Shanghai in the 1980s and want to come back one day to make a movie in China.

I simply adore 'The Simpsons.' I go to bed in a 'Simpsons' T-shirt.

I compose the frame literally with the camera. Unless it makes a story point.

Before statehood was achieved, Syria and Egypt had their tanks and military equipment lined up to invade Tel Aviv and destroy it; but the Israelis scrambled together an air force, some of it from old Second World War Messerschmidts, and the invasion was halted.

I don't make unconventional stories; I don't make non-linear stories. I like linear storytelling a lot.

I once said that CGI makes you less inventive. At the time I was bemoaning the loss of the practical stunt. If a stunt can be done practically and safely, I'd rather do it old-style.