136 Quotes by Elia Kazan

People made suggestions, but, hell, I don’t actually listen to anybody, I just go my own way.

A film director has to get a shot, no matter what he does. We’re desperate people.

What’s called a difficult decision is a difficult decision because either way you go there are penalties.

The thing with films is that you have to make something that will get people out of their houses, away from the TV set. You must touch people, say something. Otherwise, they’ll stay at home.

I’m going to make a film where not one word is really important. I’m going to make it all action.

If you’re going to play a cowboy, show up with the horse at the audition.

I wouldn’t go up on a stage now if you paid a thousand dollars for one minute of acting. It’s a nasty experience. You’re up there all by yourself. You’re so damn exposed.

You’ve got to keep fighting; you’ve got to risk your life every six months to stay alive.

You have no idea how fragile an actor’s self-worth is.