Richard Schickel Quotes

Powerful Richard Schickel for Daily Growth

About Richard Schickel

Richard Schickel (September 14, 1933 – March 6, 2017) was an esteemed American film critic, historian, and biographer whose insightful analysis and comprehensive knowledge of cinema left indelible marks on the industry and its enthusiasts. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Schickel developed a passion for movies at a young age. This early fascination with film led him to New York City after graduating from Harvard University, where he began his professional career in the world of cinema. Schickel's journey began as a writer for "The New Yorker" and later moved on to become a regular reviewer for ABC-TV's "The Movie Game." His work spanned various mediums, including books, articles, documentaries, and television programs. He is perhaps best known for his 1965 book, "Elia Kazan: A Biography," which received the National Book Award for biography. Schickel's other significant works include "Oliver Stone Interviews" (1987), "Dick Cavett Interviews" (2003), and "The Hitchcock Murder Case" (1965), a book that cemented his status as a preeminent film historian. Throughout his illustrious career, Schickel was recognized for his exceptional contributions to the field of cinema with numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards and nominations, a Writers Guild of America Award, and being inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Despite his success, Schickel remained humble and approachable, always eager to share his love for film with others. His work serves as a testament to the power of cinema in shaping cultural discourse and inspiring future generations of filmmakers, critics, and enthusiasts alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Cinema, in its purest sense, is the art of orchestrating time and space."

This quote by Richard Schickel implies that cinema is an artistic medium that masters the control and manipulation of both temporal (time) and spatial dimensions. In essence, a filmmaker uses various techniques to craft a narrative and create a sensory experience by skillfully arranging sequences, scenes, and visual elements in space, as well as orchestrating the flow of time within a storyline. This artful manipulation of time and space is what makes cinema such a captivating and powerful medium for storytelling and artistic expression.


"Film criticism should be a passionate act, an act of love that expresses not just opinions but emotions."

This quote by Richard Schickel suggests that film criticism isn't merely about offering objective evaluations or technical analysis, but rather it is an expression of personal feelings and emotions towards the art of cinema. Film critics are expected to approach movies with genuine passion, reflecting their love for the medium, and communicate this emotional response alongside their opinions, thereby making their critiques more profound and impactful.


"The cinema is a uniquely powerful medium for telling stories and shaping our understanding of the world."

This quote highlights the significant influence films have in storytelling and shaping human perception about reality. As a unique medium, cinema transcends geographical boundaries, cultures, and languages, offering a platform to narrate diverse stories and foster global understanding. By providing an immersive and emotional experience, movies can shape our collective consciousness, influencing perspectives on people, places, and events.


"A good film is one that has a lasting impact, one that resonates with us long after the final credits have rolled."

The quote suggests that a good movie isn't just about entertainment during its duration; it should linger in our thoughts even after we leave the theater. Such films leave an indelible mark on our minds, evoking emotions or sparking ideas that resonate long after the story has ended. They become more than just a passing experience, but rather, a memorable part of our personal histories and cultural heritage.


"Great films are like dreams: they linger in memory and shape our thoughts and feelings."

This quote by Richard Schickel highlights the profound impact that great films have on viewers. Just as dreams are personal, subjective experiences that leave lasting impressions, great films likewise imprint themselves on our minds, shaping our perceptions and emotions. They remain etched in our memories long after the credits roll, influencing our thoughts and feelings about life, people, and the world around us. In essence, this quote underscores the power of film as a potent medium for storytelling and self-discovery.


That common cold of the male psyche, fear of commitment.

- Richard Schickel

Relationship, Common, Psyche

A movie star is not an artist, he is an art object.

- Richard Schickel

Art, Star, Movie, Object

A great novel is concerned primarily with the interior lives of its characters as they respond to the inconvenient narratives that fate imposes on them. Movie adaptations of these monumental fictions often fail because they become mere exercises in interior decoration.

- Richard Schickel

Fate, Movie, Concerned, Fictions

Memory is the personal journalism of the soul.

- Richard Schickel

Soul, Memory, Personal, Journalism

He was the first to conceive of movies as an art form. His belief was that if the traditional art form would not find room for him, then he would make an art form of his own.

- Richard Schickel

Art, Own, Then, Conceive

The law of unintended consequences pushes us ceaselessly through the years, permitting no pause for perspective.

- Richard Schickel

Law, Through, Unintended

This is a soul under perpetual migraine attack.

- Richard Schickel

Soul, Migraine, Perpetual, Attack

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