A lot of the films I've made probably could have worked just as well 50 years ago, and that's just because I have a lot of old-fashion values.

You have many years ahead of you to create the dreams that we can't even imagine dreaming. You have done more for the collective unconscious of this planet than you will ever know.

I didn't read reviews earlier in my career, but I read them now as I'm older. I read them all.

I love my kids as individuals, not as a herd, and I do have a herd of children: I have seven kids.

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.

I turned down 'Harry Potter' and 'Spider-Man,' two movies that I knew would be phenomenally successful, because I had already made movies like that before and they offered no challenge to me. I don't need my ego to be reminded.

There's nothing self-serving about what motivated me to bring 'Schindler's List' to the screen.