The important thing in writing is the capacity to astonish. Not shock – shock is a worn-out word – but astonish.

It’s often the case with directors that they don’t like to share credit, which is the case of Stanley. He would prefer just A Film By Stanley Kubrick including music and everything.

Mr. Christian gave his exasperation-sigh and went on with his peach salad, unable to keep his fork from shaking a little, but managing, with certain effort, not to drive it suddenly into his chest.

I don’t know why, but I always feel a kind of necessity to write things that are beyond acceptance, that are too offensive or something. For people to read them and say, Ha-ha-ha, very funny. No, we can’t print that.

The Loved One has been the most underrated film I’ve worked on.

I’m not interested in attacking, I’m interested in astonishing.

Good Grief,” cried Candy, in a very odd voice, “it’s Daddy!” pushing her hands violently against the gardener’s chest. “It’s Daddy!

Peter Beard is one of those people I’ve known a long time. We have an affinity. We share certain values.

You can’t do the end of the world in a conventionally dramatic way or Boy Meets Girl way.

There is no power on earth that can loosen a man’s grip on his own throat.