Directors Quote by William Monahan
“I don't think Roger Ebert has ever mentioned a screenplay. He assigns every auctorial move to the director, which makes some sense since the director has run a one-off game, but if Hamlet were written last year and had been only performed once as a film, and it didn't come off well on screen for whatever reason, it would be gone forever as a literary work, and never would have been considered as one.”
About This Quote
Source Screenplay: "The Monahan Perspective on Film Criticism", 2015
Directors receive credit for screenplay choices, but this can erase the writer’s role, especially for adaptations.
In simple terms: Directors get credit, writers may be overlooked.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both director and writer contributions.
Themes
authorship
film criticism
adaptation
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
critical
academic
When to use this quote
- film reviews
- screenplay workshops
- academic courses
Key Concepts
creative ownership
critical analysis
film history
Questions to Reflect On
- Who truly shapes a film’s narrative?
- How should credit be balanced?
A Different Perspective
Attributing all credit to directors can diminish collaborative nature.
![“I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What God desires is here [mind] and here [heart] and what you…” quote by William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e0/william-monahan-3226_every-day_i-put-no-stock-in-religion-by-the-word-r_8215.jpg)
