For more than three decades, ever since 1971, Woody Allen has been talking regularly and candidly with Eric Lax, his critically-acclaimed biographer. Now, those conversations are collected in book form, revealing his development from joke writer to stand-up comedian to world-famous film-maker. Allen talks about the seeds of his ideas and the writing of his screenplays; about casting and acting, shooting and directing, editing and scoring. He describes his problems casting American men, and explains why he admires the acting of (among many others) Alan Alda, Marlon Brando, Michael Caine, Robert De Niro, Leonardo Di Caprio, Mia Farrow, Gene Hackman, Scarlett Johansson, Jack Nicholson and Charlize Theron. He discusses his favourite films (Citizen Kane the only American movie among his top ten, Duck Soup and Airplane two of his preferred 'comedian's films'), and what he appreciates about directors like Bergman, Fellini, Kurosawa, John Huston and Jean Renoir. Throughout, he shows himself to be thoughtful, honest, witty, self-deprecating and often hilarious. Conversations with Woody Allen is essential reading for everyone interested in the art of movie-making and for everyone who has ever enjoyed a Woody Allen film.