Elia Kazan Quotes (70 Quotes)

The essence of the stage is concentration and penetration. Of the screen action, movement, sweep.

I gave my life to the Group Theatre, because in it I'm building something for myself. What I build, I am.

I value peace when it is not bought at the price of fundamental decencies.

I've lost many of my best friends... I'm going to satisfy myself now, not the critics, not even my friends.

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

The belief that the good in American society will finally win out... I don't believe any more.

I didn't have that much confidence. Maybe it looks that way. I'm glad it does.

I don't remember anything anybody said in any Jack Ford picture. Nothing happens except action.

Every fighter has one fight that makes or breaks him.

I was both very successful and very left; the living demonstration of how you could be on the left and still be in the gossip columns and be envied for the money you made.

The more ambivalent you are and the more uncertain you are, then you can get something that you cannot anticipate.

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

I spoke without fear of contradiction. I simply did not suffer self-doubt.

I was even superior to the Communists and when they didn't go along with me, I quit them.

Every picture that is successful has one little miracle in it.

I will say nothing to an actor that cannot be translated into action.

I was the hero of the young insurgent working class art movement.

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.

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

I question the value of stars. I think they're overrated. They get too much money, too much praise.