Director Woody Allen attacked his own work as "mediocre" and "miserable" at the premiere for his new movie Match Point last night.

The three-time Academy Award winner credits his intellectual appearance with winning over film critics, but rues his lack of commercial success, insisting flocking audiences are the true mark of a great movie-maker.

He says: "I've disappointed myself most of the time.

"People think I'm an intellectual because I wear glasses and they think I'm an artist because my films lose money.

"My relationship with the American audience is exactly the same as it has always been. They never came to see my films, and they don't come now.

"I've often said that the only thing standing between me and greatness is me."