Francis Ford Coppola thinks films should be judged 10 years after their release.
The 75-year-old filmmaker – whose directorial prominence was cemented with the release of 1972’s ‘The Godfather’ – believes movies are often recognised for the impact they created long after their initial debut on the big screen.
He said: "Films I thought, because of their original reception, were failures yet went on in time to be regarded as classics. Sometimes I think films shouldn’t be judged until 10 years have passed."
Talking about what is required for a movie to be considered quality, he explained: "The balance of depth, complexity, passionate feeling and entertainment."
Coppola insists the "holy grail" of filmmaking is mastering commercial and artistic success of the movie.
He added to Empire magazine: "There were always two sides – the commercial and the artistic. Of course, the ‘holy grail’ was to achieve both in the same film.
"I’ve always wanted to break new ground and yet let there be heartbreaking moments of humanity – with goals like that you pretty much always feel as if you’re coming short."
Francis Ford Coppola: Classic films need time
