Sidney Lumet Quotes

All good work requires self-revelation.

For any director with a little lucidity, masterpieces are films that come to you by accident.

All great work is preparing yourself for the accident to happen.

In drama, the characters should determine the story. In melodrama, the story determines the characters.

The varying physical characteristics of the actors may also necessitate changes. Sean Connery is six feet four. Dustin Hoffman isn't.

I don't know how to choose work that illuminates what my life is about. I don't know what my life is about and don't examine it. My life will define itself as I live it. The movies will define themselves as I make them. As long as the theme is something I care about at the moment, it's enough for me to start work. Maybe work itself is what my life is about.