Film is a dramatised reality and it is the director's job to make it appear real... an audience should not be conscious of technique.

- David Lean

I'm first and foremost interested in the story, the characters.

- David Lean

Don't make jokes about food.

- David Lean

When you're in the desert, you look into infinity.... It makes you feel terribly small, and also in a strange way, quite big.

- David Lean

Good films can be made only by a crew of Dedicated Maniacs.

- David Lean

I think people remember pictures not dialogue. That's why I like pictures.

- David Lean

I rather like mysteries. But I do dislike muddles.

- David Lean

I've just begun to dare to think I perhaps am a bit of an artist.

- David Lean

My distinguishing talent is the ability to put people under the microscope, perhaps to go one or two layers farther down than some other directors.

- David Lean