Woody Allen has described himself as a "failed artist" whose acting talent does not compare to the likes of Jack Nicholson.

The three-times Oscar winner is considered one of the greatest directors of all time, with cult hits under his belt such as Annie Hall and Hannah and Her Sisters.

But his own opinion of his work and talent is not as high as his reputation, according to comments he made to the Italian media.

But Allen is also as scathing about Hollywood, believing it spent millions on "silly movies".

I'm less than mediocre with the clarinet

Woody Allen

He was in Italy to promote his new movie Hollywood Ending.

"If I had three words to define myself I would say I am a failed artist," he said.

"I am not even an actor. Dustin Hoffman is an actor, Jack Nicholson is an actor, I'm not."

Allen was as self-deprecating when it came to his jazz playing, admitting fame was the only reason he had been able to become a successful musician.

"If I weren't famous, nobody would come to my concerts. I'm less than mediocre with the clarinet," he said ahead of a planned concert.

Money focused

Allen, 66, was full of praise for European cinema, singling out director Pedro Almodovar, but said he was disappointed with the American industry.

Allen was in Europe with his wife Soon-Yi

"I've always had a very critical attitude to Hollywood. Essentially, it's a place where people spend a huge amount of money and yet make very few, if any, decent films," he said.

"If I compare US films to the European films I saw as a child, the European ones were so much more original, rich and imaginative, and they really contributed to the development of cinema as an art form.

"I've never really seen the same thing from Hollywood, which always has one eye focused on entertainment and money," he added.

Allen recently picked up a Prince of Asturias Prize, the Spanish-speaking world's version of the Nobel Prize, for his creative talent.