David L. Wolper

“You need an actor who can maintain a character over a long period of time. If you have a weak actor, it won't be obvious in two hours, but you'll begin to see his weaknesses over four or five days.”

“I liked the clear morality of 1941, when you had no doubt about good and evil. There was a lot of idealism, people fighting for a cause. People are searching for morality today.”

“My philosophy as a filmmaker is to inform and entertain at the same time. And when I went away from documentaries into miniseries like 'Roots,' I did the reverse. Instead of just entertaining, I want to inform at the same time.”

“The minute I went into business, I was a success, and I've done well ever since.”

“You have to say, 'We think it's going to work. Let's go with it.' Either you're going to kill the world, or you're going to fall on your rear end.”

“Relax! Life is beautiful!”

“I make the money, and I don't have to take the abuse some of the stars do, opening up their personal life. I can go into a restaurant, sit down, and have a nice meal without being harassed. Arnold Schwarzenegger can't do that.”

“I don't call four hours a miniseries.”

“If people perceive 'Roots' to be a black history show, nobody is going to watch it.”

“People don't buy and sell art based on the personality of the artist. Or there wouldn't be much art bought and sold.”

“For a two-hour movie on a 20-day shooting schedule, it's O.K. to have an actor who's a pain in the neck.”

“I did not intend for there to be an incisive historical lesson in 'North and South.' Basically, it's just a good, juicy story.”

“I'm not a kid trying to make an impression in the business. I do have 600 films out there that are playing constantly.”

“I had been an independent entrepreneur from the beginning, and I felt I could do it myself. I didn't want to get a job.”

“My definition of a producer is 'the man with the dream.'”

“I believe that religion and politics should not mix. Both should be a part of somebody's life - but not together.”

“I have to do popcorn for movies. I can do more important things for television. You're going down when you're making a movie, not going up.”

“My roots are documentaries.”

“I can possibly say I have entertained and educated more people than anyone else in the world.”

“We couldn't predict what would happen with 'Roots.' You knew there were powerful moments that were going to affect people. We were making the film while the book was being completed. We were fortunate because the hardcover book was out and on the best-seller list. The heat was still on.”