Quotes

The instinctive good taste of the artist usually prevents him from indulging in unnecessarily explicit detail. But we are faced too rarely with the work of first-class artists.

[1992] There were a lot of very controversial films and my predecessor was unhappy with the glare of publicity. He's had A Clockwork Orange (1971), Straw Dogs (1971), Last Tango in Paris (1972), The Devils (1971). They were coming out left right and centre, and he was constantly in the firing line. I was asked to take it over and restore public confidence.

[1992] To censor the depiction of perfectly legal consenting sexual activity is foolish for an adult public. What we really ought to be about is protecting society and individuals from those exceptional films which are potentially damaging.

[1992] The less censorship the better.

[1992: On The New York Ripper (1982) et al.] There are certainly a dozen films I would never wish on a civilized society.