45+ Stanley Kubrick Quotes That All Movie Buffs Should Read
Gallery
Stanley Kubrick is a renowned American director, cinematographer, producer, editor, screenwriter, and photographer born in 1928 in New York.
As a student, Kubrick's IQ was above average, but he had low attendance in school. He showed great interest in literature, photography, and films from a young age and learned various film-making aspects by himself.
Stanley Kubrick started as a photographer in 'Look' magazine and went on to make his first feature film, 'The Killing', in 1956, followed by 'Paths of Glory' (1957) and 'Spartacus' (1960), which brought him a good name in the film industry. In 1961, Kubrick moved to the United Kingdom, where he made legendary films like 'Lolitha' (1962) and 'Dr.
Strangelove' or 'How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' (1964).
In collaboration with the well-known author, Arthur C Clarke, Kubrick made the Academy Award-winning film for best visual effects '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968). 'A Clockwork Orange' (1971), 'Barry Lyndon' (1975), 'The Shining' (1980), and 'Full Metal Jacket' (1987) are a few of Stanley Kubrick's well-known films.
His last movie was 'Eyes Wide Shut' in 1999, completed shortly before his death at 70.
Dive into the world of film-making with these awesome Stanley Kubrick quotes. You may also enjoy our similar articles on Alfred Hitchcock quotes and 'The Shining' quotes.
Stanley Kubrick Quotes About Film
Stanley Kubrick was one of the most phenomenal filmmakers of all time. He is known for his distinctive style, attention to detail, and genre-defying films. Get motivated by these best Stanley Kubrick quotes on film-making.
1."A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what 's behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later."
-Stanley Kubrick.
2."Bad films gave me the courage to try making a movie."
-Stanley Kubrick.
3."One man writes a novel. One man writes a symphony. It is essential that one man make a film."
-Stanley Kubrick.
4."Perhaps it sounds ridiculous, but the best thing that young filmmakers should do is to get hold of a camera and some film and make a movie of any kind at all."
-Stanley Kubrick.
5."The screen is a magic medium. It has such power that it can retain interest as it conveys emotions and moods that no other art form can hope to tackle."
-Stanley Kubrick.
6."If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed."
-Stanley Kubrick.
7."If you really want to communicate something, even if it's just an emotion or an attitude, let alone an idea, the least effective and least enjoyable way is directly."
-Stanley Kubrick.
8."A filmmaker has almost the same freedom as a novelist has when he buys himself some paper."
-Stanley Kubrick.
9."A film needs more than you can give it in a lifetime."
-Stanley Kubrick.
10."The truth of a thing is in the feel of it, not in the think of it."
-Stanley Kubrick.
11."There's something in the human personality which resents things that are clear, and conversely, something which is attracted to puzzles, enigmas, and allegories."
-Stanley Kubrick.
12."Don't get obsessed with not liking a movie."
-Stanley Kubrick.
13."I would not think of quarreling with your interpretation nor offering any other, as I have found it always the best policy to allow the film to speak for itself."
-Stanley Kubrick.
14."If chess has any relationship to film-making, it would be in the way it helps you develop patience and discipline in choosing between alternatives at a time when an impulsive decision seems very attractive."
-Stanley Kubrick.
14."The best education in film is to make one."
-Stanley Kubrick.
Stanley Kubrick Movie Quotes
Being passionate about the art of film-making, Kubrick believed that films must have a progression of moods and feelings and preached that the theme behind the emotion comes later. Find below Stanley Kubrick quotes from some of his best movies.
15."When a man cannot choose, he ceases to be a man."
-'A Clockwork Orange', 1971.
16."Take a stress pill and think things over."
-'2001: A Space Odyssey', 1968.
17."All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."
-'The Shining', 1990.
18."I didn't want murder. It's all gone wrong."
-'Killer's Kiss', 1955.
19."Nothing is as dangerous as a sure thing."
-Stanley Kubrick.
20."The dead know only one thing, it is better to be alive."
-'Full Metal Jacket', 1987.
21."Like the man said, can happiness buy money?"
-'Killer's Kiss', 1955.
22."You're an idealist, and I pity you as I would the village idiot."
-'Paths of Glory', 1957.
23."Gentlemen! You can't fight in here! This is the war room!"
-'Dr. Strangelove; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb', 1964.
24."The man you stabbed in the back is a soldier."
-'Paths of Glory', 1957.
25."The mission is too important to allow you to jeopardize it."
-'2001: A Space Odyssey', 1968.
26."He thinks I don't have enough respect for him. He's right."
-'Paths of Glory', 1957.
27."You climb obstacles the way old people freak, you know that, Private Pyle?"
-'Full Metal Jacket', 1987.
28."Shoot, a fellow could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."
-'Dr. Strangelove; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb', 1964.
29."We had some ham and eggs and took our time saying goodbye to the bright lights."
-'Killer's Kiss', 1955.
30."I don't suppose you have any idea what the dang thing is?"
-'2001: A Space Odyssey', 1968.
31."Don't you think he fits my shoes very well, your ladyship?"
-Lord Bullingdon, 'Barry Lyndon', 1975.
Quotes About Stanley Kubrick
Just as he quoted, Stanley Kubrick's films are more like music than like fiction. The award-winning director's writings, dialogues, and words are often taken as quotes. Here are some of Stanley Kubrick's quotes from his interviews.
32."I'm just an old man and I smell bad, remember?"
-Stanley Kubrick.
33."My reputation has grown slowly."
-Stanley Kubrick.
34."I am alive and I am not afraid."
-Stanley Kubrick.
35."I never learned anything at all in school and didn't read a book for pleasure until I was 19 years old."
-Stanley Kubrick.
36."Private Joker is silly and he's ignorant but he's got guts and guts is enough."
-Stanley Kubrick.
37."This was some time before I had ever touched a movie camera and it opened my eyes to cutting and montage."
-Stanley Kubrick.
38."I'm a slave to my imagination in terms of making narrative films."
-Stanley Kubrick.
39."Gee, I wish we had one of them doomsday machines things."
-Stanley Kubrick.
40."I've got a peculiar weakness for criminals and artists. Neither takes life as it is. Any tragic story has to be in conflict with things as they are"
-Stanley Kubrick.
41."What do you take me for? A fourteen-karat sucker? "
-Stanley Kubrick.
42."However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light."
-Stanley Kubrick.
43."I do not always know what I want, but I do know what I don't want."
-Stanley Kubrick.
44."It's a mistake to confuse pity with love."
-Stanley Kubrick.
45."If you can talk brilliantly about a problem."
-Stanley Kubrick.
46."The very meaninglessness of life forces man to create his own meaning."
-Stanley Kubrick.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotesfor everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Stanley Kubrick quotes, then why not take a look at Steven Spielberg quotes, or '2001: A Space Odyssey' quotes.
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts Hons specializing in Modern Languages (French and Spanish)
Monisha KochharBachelor of Arts Hons specializing in Modern Languages (French and Spanish)
A Modern Languages graduate from the University College London, Monisha with a passion for travel and exploring different cultures. She is fluent in French and Spanish and is currently learning Hindi. Monisha enjoys discovering new foods and is an avid sports fan, following soccer and Formula 1. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis and watching TV shows.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
