--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think classic films are classic for a…" description: "\"I think classic films are classic for a reason. It's always sketchy to redo one, especially if you're trying to make it contemporary. That's really jus..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/nia-long-7528_classic_i-think-classic-films-are-classic-for-a_2688714.jpg" --- # I think classic films are classic for a reason. It's… ![“I think classic films are classic for a reason. It's always sketchy to redo one, especially if you're trying to make it contemporary. That's really just not the way to go.” quote by Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/nia-long-7528_classic_i-think-classic-films-are-classic-for-a_2688714.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/nia-long-7528_classic_i-think-classic-films-are-classic-for-a_2688714.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12b/nia-long-7528_classic_i-think-classic-films-are-classic-for-a_2688714.jpg) > “I think classic films are classic for a reason. It's always sketchy to redo one, especially if you're trying to make it contemporary. That's really just not the way to go.” [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Classic films remain timeless; recreating them contemporarily feels risky and often inappropriate. **In simple terms:** Classics are timeless, remakes risky. Key Takeaway Respect originals, innovate wisely. Themes cinema culture creativity Mood thoughtful inspirational Type film criticism creative advice When to use this quote - film festivals - scriptwriting - directorial choices Key Concepts nostalgia artistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - What makes a classic truly timeless? - How can you honor tradition while innovating? A Different Perspective Audiences may reject modern twists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Classic films](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classic-films/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Don't think of it as getting older, think of it as becoming a classic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-think-of-it-as-getting-older-think-of-it-as-becoming-a-classic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A classic is a classic for a reason. Let's try to create new classics. The idea of repeating ourselves drives me a little crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/a-classic-is-a-classic-for-a-reason-let-s-try-to-create-new-classics/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [I've found out that money is the most important thing in the world and, as God is my witness, I don't ever intend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/i-ve-found-out-that-money-is-the-most-important-thing-in-the-world/) [Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/) > [I watch all the classic films that film people say that you ought to have seen, and I try to watch things in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-riley/i-watch-all-the-classic-films-that-film-people-say-that-you-ought-to/) [Sam Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-riley/) > [ I mentioned before, these \[classic Disney films\] are classic mythological tales, a hero's journey, and have been told for thousands of years. Disney has… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-mentioned-before-these-classic-disney-films-are-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I've been fortunate to be in films that are classic, that are going to be around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-l-jackson/i-ve-been-fortunate-to-be-in-films-that-are-classic-that-are-going-to/) [Samuel L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-l-jackson/) > [The first film I ushered was Lynne Ramsay's 'Morvern Callar.' I started at 18. Best job in the world. Blockbusters, indie films, classic matinees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zawe-ashton/the-first-film-i-ushered-was-lynne-ramsay-s-morvern-callar-i-started/) [Zawe Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zawe-ashton/) > [A man's got to know his limitations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-callahan/a-man-s-got-to-know-his-limitations/) [Harry Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-callahan/) > [Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-douglas/greed-for-lack-of-a-better-word-is-good/) [Michael Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-douglas/) > [Greed-for lack of a better word-is good. Greed is right. Greed works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/greed-for-lack-of-a-better-word-is-good-greed-is-right-greed-works/) [Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/) > [I told my father I wanted to act, and he stared renting all these classic films for me to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-cohen/i-told-my-father-i-wanted-to-act-and-he-stared-renting-all-these/) [Emory Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-cohen/) > [Women sometimes really love to look at other beautiful women on the screen. But they don't look at a woman the way a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-biller/women-sometimes-really-love-to-look-at-other-beautiful-women-on-the/) [Anna Biller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-biller/) > [I'd never studied film. I had movies that I loved and movie stars that I looked up to, but I really had not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-steenburgen/i-d-never-studied-film-i-had-movies-that-i-loved-and-movie-stars-that/) [Mary Steenburgen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-steenburgen/) > [Avant-garde means never having to say you're sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-ribot/avant-garde-means-never-having-to-say-you-re-sorry/) [Marc Ribot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-ribot/) > [Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gable/frankly-my-dear-i-don-t-give-a-damn/) [Clark Gable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gable/) ## More by Nia Long > [I think we need to talk about mental illness a lot more. People complain about tax dollars and say we don't have the money.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-think-we-need-to-talk-about-mental-illness-a-lot-more-people/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I took a little break - I was coming back to work and the last thing I was going to do was take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-took-a-little-break-i-was-coming-back-to-work-and-the-last-thing-i/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I have been in situations where actors are treated like robots: say the lines, say it like this, we don't have time for conversations.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-have-been-in-situations-where-actors-are-treated-like-robots-say/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I admire the women who can have babies and jump right back to work. As a nursing mother, I couldn’t sit there and just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-admire-the-women-who-can-have-babies-and-jump-right-back-to-work-as/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [Just like in Christianity or Buddhism, obviously there are certain practices that dictate one's life, but I don't think you can say all Muslim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/just-like-in-christianity-or-buddhism-obviously-there-are-certain/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I do think gun control is important. I am a supporter of gun control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-do-think-gun-control-is-important-i-am-a-supporter-of-gun-control/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I think that if something matters to you, and is important to you, then you give it the attention and energy it deserves. So,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-think-that-if-something-matters-to-you-and-is-important-to-you-then/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I've always been raised to love everyone, to accept everyone for their differences, and to just be open. But at a young, a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-ve-always-been-raised-to-love-everyone-to-accept-everyone-for-their/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I'm more of a short-hair girl; short hair is a lot more low-maintenance than long hair. And when you're in front of camera every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-m-more-of-a-short-hair-girl-short-hair-is-a-lot-more-low/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I think every family has that moment when the parents realize they need help and think, Oh my gosh. We cannot do this all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-think-every-family-has-that-moment-when-the-parents-realize-they/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I believe everyone should have the freedom to represent what they believe-in in their own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-believe-everyone-should-have-the-freedom-to-represent-what-they/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [Every woman deserves diamonds, and even if you can't afford to go out and buy diamonds for yourself or you don't have actual stone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/every-woman-deserves-diamonds-and-even-if-you-can-t-afford-to-go-out/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [The last step will be letting my hair go natural. That’s when you’ll know I’m free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/the-last-step-will-be-letting-my-hair-go-natural-that-s-when-you-ll/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [Americans are in need of very objective information, and sometimes it's easier to absorb the message through entertainment and through a great story than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/americans-are-in-need-of-very-objective-information-and-sometimes-it/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I'm working on a project called Lemons, produced by Killer Films. The director has a great perspective on character development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-m-working-on-a-project-called-lemons-produced-by-killer-films-the/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) [Explore all 90 Nia Long quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) ## More Classic quotes > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [What I love about watching classic horror films is that they take you on a ride and they obviously make you scared because you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/what-i-love-about-watching-classic-horror-films-is-that-they-take-you/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [To see classic rock, you had to go to an arena. But punk was happening everywhere, even in little towns in the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-callahan/to-see-classic-rock-you-had-to-go-to-an-arena-but-punk-was-happening/) [Bill Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-callahan/) > [A classic is like a hidden treasure. Its core is buried under so many layers of varnish that it can be reached only by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-louis-barrault/a-classic-is-like-a-hidden-treasure-its-core-is-buried-under-so-many/) [Jean-Louis Barrault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-louis-barrault/) > [I like everything with a heaping dose of feminitity, including my cell phone. I created this phone for the classic woman, who like me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimora-lee-simmons/i-like-everything-with-a-heaping-dose-of-feminitity-including-my-cell/) [Kimora Lee Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimora-lee-simmons/) > [One glance and I knew exactly who and what he was. The classic alpha male, the kind who had spurred evolution forward about five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/one-glance-and-i-knew-exactly-who-and-what-he-was-the-classic-alpha/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [I'd always wanted the show to be more reality based science fiction, something along the lines of The Day the Earth Stood Still, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-gerard/i-d-always-wanted-the-show-to-be-more-reality-based-science-fiction/) [Gil Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-gerard/) > [Classic mountaineering grows out of a traditional romantic imagination. Its heart is the feeling, its path is blood, sweat and tears, and its restriction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-kurtyka/classic-mountaineering-grows-out-of-a-traditional-romantic/) [Wojciech Kurtyka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-kurtyka/) > [In his anti-Darwinian book... (and eponymously named The Neck of the Giraffe ), Francis Hitching tells the story... "The need to survive by reaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/in-his-anti-darwinian-book-and-eponymously-named-the-neck-of-the/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [The story being told in 'Star Wars' is a classic one. Every few hundred years, the story is retold because we have a tendency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/the-story-being-told-in-star-wars-is-a-classic-one-every-few-hundred/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [In the tradition of the classic songwriter rooms like The Bluebird in Nashville, Strange Brew is a gift to the music community in Austin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-cross/in-the-tradition-of-the-classic-songwriter-rooms-like-the-bluebird-in/) [Christopher Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-cross/) > [It's sad that women characters have lost so much ground in popular movies. Didn't 'Thelma and Louise' prove that women want to see women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-quivers/it-s-sad-that-women-characters-have-lost-so-much-ground-in-popular/) [Robin Quivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-quivers/) > [Classic book is a book which people praise, but do not read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/classic-book-is-a-book-which-people-praise-but-do-not-read/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [I have a large watch collection, and classic watches are especially important to me. I had a silver Rolex, and I actually gave it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-berkus/i-have-a-large-watch-collection-and-classic-watches-are-especially/) [Nate Berkus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-berkus/) Browse all 1,505 Classic quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think classic films are classic for a reason. 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