"The perceived wisdom is that people do not go in large numbers to black-and-white movies anymore - which is a great shame, but I'd love to make a black-and-white movie one day"

In this quote, Sam Mendes resolves a cultural shift away from black-and-white movies, reviewing both present seeing preferences and his personal aspirations. The phrase "the viewed wisdom" suggests a typically held belief or an extensively accepted notion that modern audiences are disinclined to view black-and-white films in significant numbers. This implies that over time, audiences' tastes have developed, most likely affected by advancements in innovation and the dynamic visual appeal of color movie, causing a decrease in mainstream production and usage of black-and-white motion pictures.

Mendes's acknowledgment of this trend as a "fantastic pity" suggests a lament for this modification. It highlights his appreciation for the classic visual and creative significance of black-and-white movie theater. During the earlier years of filmmaking, black-and-white films were the norm and such movies often recorded elaborate subtleties of light, shadow, and composition, contributing profoundly to storytelling in such a way that can sometimes be lost with color. Mendes seems to reveal a sense of nostalgia for the unique storytelling potential and traditional essence black-and-white films represent.

Additionally, Mendes's reference of his desire to make a black-and-white movie one day exposes his individual imaginative ambitions and perhaps a decision to honor the style and compound that black-and-white cinema embodies. It can be translated as a mission to revive or pay tribute to the timeless age of filmmaking, potentially bringing back what he sees as an undervalued art type in today's film industry. His desire to explore this medium suggests that he sees value in the innovative possibilities it offers despite the market's obvious disinterest. This stance can influence filmmakers and audiences to reconsider the benefits of black-and-white films, raising questions about present cinematic trends and the variety of visual storytelling forms.