Francis Ford Coppola

Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter

Francis Ford Coppola is an acclaimed filmmaker known for his influential works like 'The Godfather' and 'Apocalypse Now', which explore complex human emotions.

Born
April 7, 1939
Quotes
153
Rank
#442

About Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola — Life and Legacy

Francis Ford Coppola is a pivotal figure in American cinema, renowned for his innovative storytelling and profound character exploration. His major works, particularly 'The Godfather' trilogy and 'Apocalypse Now', showcase his ability to delve into the intricacies of human nature and moral ambiguity. Coppola's philosophy is encapsulated in his belief that 'Art is a reflection of life', which reveals his commitment to authenticity and emotional depth in filmmaking. His quote, 'The most important thing is to be true to yourself', emphasizes the significance of personal integrity, both in life and in the creative process. This idea resonates throughout his films, where characters often grapple with their identities and moral choices. Coppola's approach to storytelling challenges conventional norms, urging filmmakers to prioritize narrative and emotional truth over mere entertainment. Today, Coppola's insights continue to inspire filmmakers and artists, reminding them of the power of storytelling to reflect the human experience. His work not only entertains but also provokes thought, making his quotes and ideas relevant in discussions about creativity and artistic expression.

Quote collection

Francis Ford Coppola quotes (page 1 of 8)

153 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"I think cinema, movies, and magic have always been closely associated. The very earliest people who made film were magicians."

Read quote 70 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"When I was about 9, I had polio, and people were very frightened for their children, so you tended to be isolated. I was paralyzed for a while, so I watched television."

Read quote 65 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"An essential element of any art is risk. If you don't take a risk then how are you going to make something really beautiful, that hasn't been seen before?"

Read quote 64 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"I used to love going into local hardware stores, to look at little things they made locally. Nowadays it's harder, though you can still do it in Vietnam."

Read quote 51 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"I had an older brother who was very interested in literature, so I had an early exposure to literature, and and theater. My father sometimes would work in musical comedies."

Read quote 51 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"Anything you build on a large scale or with intense passion invites chaos."

Read quote 47 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"There's nothing creative about living within your means."

Read quote 47 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"We were raised in an Italian-American household, although we didn't speak Italian in the house. We were very proud of being Italian, and had Italian music, ate Italian food."

Read quote 43 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"You don't have to specialize - do everything that you love and then, at some time, the future will come together for you in some form."

Read quote 42 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"If the movie works, nobody notices the mistakes... If the movie doesn't work, the only thing people notice are mistakes."

Read quote 35 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"I liked to work in a shop down in the basement and invent things and build gadgets."

Read quote 35 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"Everyone knows the phenomenon of trying to hold your breath underwater - how at first it's alright and you can handle it, and then as it gets closer and closer to the time when you must breathe, how urgent the need becomes, the lust and the hunger to breathe. And then the panic sets in when you begin to think that you won't be able to breathe - and finally, when you take in air and the anxiety subsides...that's what it's like to be a vampire and need blood."

Read quote 34 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"You have to really be courageous about your instincts and your ideas. Otherwise you'll just knuckle under, and things that might have been memorable will be lost."

Read quote 34 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"When you make a film it is like asking yourself a question. When it is finished, you know the answer. Ultimately with all of cinema, we are just trying to learn about ourselves. I have always used the opportunity to make a film to learn more about myself, which I am still doing."

Read quote 33 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"Usually, the stuff that's your best idea or work is going to be attacked the most."

Read quote 31 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"My talent is that I just try and try and try and try again and little by little it comes to something."

Read quote 31 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"It was the man's dream, and his inspiring attempt to make them come true that remain important."

Read quote 28 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"I don't think there's any artist of any value who doesn't doubt what they're doing."

Read quote 28 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"Anyone who's made film and knows about the cinema has a lifelong love affair with the experience. You never stop learning about film."

Read quote 27 likes
Francis Ford Coppola Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Popular

"One thing that I'm sure of is the real pleasure of life - it's not being known, it's not having your own jet plane, it's not having a mansion the pleasure is to learn something"

Read quote 26 likes