William Friedkin Quotes


Violence is not funny. - William Friedkin



The leaders of the Catholic Church endorsed The Exorcist ; virtually promoted it as much as they could. The Cardinals of New York and Los Angeles and Chicago and the other big cities, all over the world, they endorsed it because it represents a literal depiction of the Roman ritual of exorcism which still exists in the Catholic faith. It's still there. The power of faith to drive out demons. And this film showed that and they embraced it. - William Friedkin



The informing idea of what you want to say and do, that's what will take you from film school to professional - the idea. That's what is original to you. - William Friedkin



The first work of the director is to set a mood so that the actor's work can take place, so that the actor can create. And in order to do that, you have to communicate, communicate with the actors. And direction is about communication on all levels. - William Friedkin