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This week is the 78th birthday of filmmaker Steven Spielberg, whom it would be inaccurate to describe as anything other than one of the most influential artists in my life. There will likely never be another director with as many iconic titles in their filmography as him. So, let’s make him the subject of this week’s question for us to discuss:
What’s your favorite Steven Spielberg film (and why)?
It’s a question I find pretty damn impossible to answer in terms of anything I might deem “merit”. Instead, I’ll answer it based on how many hours of my life I’ve given to any one of them. In this regard, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) wins the top spot for me. I’ve seen it in excess of 100 times at this point in my life. I’ve stolen from it in my work in more ways than I’m probably conscious of. I marvel at every crisp, perfect line of dialogue in it, at every exquisitely framed shot, at every perfectly edited action sequence.
Now…your turn! And don’t forget to read what others have to say; these questions work best when we treat them as group conversations.
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Jaws. For predictable nostalgia reasons, but it’s also perfect popular art and the greatest monster movie ever made. Critic Antonia Quirke wrote a terrific BFI book on it, which explains the movie’s brilliance way better than I ever could.
Agree on all counts. I alluded to this elsewhere in these comments...RAIDERS only wins out for me because it's what I would return to most. I always have and always will. But JAWS is a very, very close second...
Oh, yes Just rewatched Jaws and was surprised how well it held up. Then read the intro to How a Play Works where David Edgar writes a log line that serves both Jaws and Enemy of the People. Loved that especially because I'm doing a devising adaptation of Enemy with my high school students now. Tightrope over pro-facist themes...
The thing is, I actually think JAWS is a better film than RAIDERS. But do you know how good a film has to be to say it's better than RAIDERS OF THE LOST freaking ARK? But when it comes to a favorite, you know the thing you have to keep coming back to, it couldn't be anything other than RAIDERS for me.
CE3K - seen dozens of times both versions (no real preferred version). As a youth it was a science fiction movie as an adult is a family drama/man on the verge… movie. Funny, sad, scary, wondrous! RIP Terri Garr x
Too many to pick from, but this question was essentially written for me :)
It's JAWS. JAWS is pretty much the perfect film in my opinion, and every time I'm working on a project and I'm stumped as to how to handle a scene I turn to my favorite philosophy "When in doubt, steal from JAWS."
But yeah, RAIDERS, CE3K, DUEL, SUGARLAND EXPRESS, SCHINDLER'S, PVT. RYAN, E.T. I believe Spielberg probably has the best batting average of any director in my lifetime.
EMPIRE continues to be a film people love, but it's never landed with me enough to even make it into my Top 10 Spielberg. These comments on this question make me think I've missed something. It's been about a decade, so maybe it's time to revisit...
I have a special relationship to Jurassic Park that will never end. My first viewing, in theaters, at the age of 7, completely terrified me. I dragged my parents back to at least a half dozen more screenings, including my dad and I watching it twice in a row one day.
I bought the VHS day it came out, I bought and read both the novel AND the novelization, I wrote an entire scene-by-scene novelization of it myself, and the first $100 I ever saved was to get the Command Compound / Complex toy that was basically the fences, gate, and a tower from the movie (I, not wealthy, scrounged enough money together about the point it stopped being produced and went out of stock. I have never owned it).
In college I storyboarded it, the whole movie, for a class assignment, and I have gone to see it every time it returns to screen. I have owned it in every hard media format.
I thought about it a lot when I saw how Spielberg portrays The Greatest Show in Earth in The Fabelmans. Jurassic Park is to me what The Greatest Show in Earth is to him.
That said, I have no love for any of the sequels whatsoever and started refusing to see them after I saw the trailer for Jurassic World. It's exactly what I mean when I say you shouldn't let corporate IP be "your childhood." Jurassic Park means the world to me but that doesn't make the sequels forgiveable.
Thank you for sharing all of this, Dane. It came out the year I graduated high school, and in some ways it feels very much like a before-after film for me. It was a summer of transitions, I mean.
Jaws or Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is a flip of a coin for me with Jurassic Park coming next by a hairs breath. Each benefits from being a masterpiece as well as infinitely rewatchable.
How could it not be Raiders? The film is flawless. If I had to choose a second, it’d be Close Encounters, because of how it weirded me out as a kid. As for Spielberg as a producer: Gremlins! A wonderful holiday movie full of good cheer!
The problem with Spielberg is "The film is flawless" can be said about at least five films from him and it would be difficult to find serious people who would disagree with you.
'Close Encounters... ' mainly because it was the first movie I'd seen that portrayed extraterrestrials as friendly and intelligent and not antagonistic or violent. Also, like many of Spielberg's movies, it focuses on the curious and exploratory 'child' that always lives in the hearts of people of all ages.
It's top 5 for me. I would've said top 3, but I've been struggling with aspects of it lately -- on a more spiritual level -- that's affected my relationship to it. I probably need to write an essay about that. But it's brilliant. Just brilliant.
This is a hard choice. ET was the first feature film I remember seeing. Jaws began my obsession with horror. Saving Private Ryan was the first movie I bought on DVD. But I think I have to go with Jurassic Park as it changed my life
I think it's where my love and appreciation for practical effects (and hope for digital!) began. I've also been fascinated by dinosaurs since I was a kid and Jurassic Park allowed me to live out my dream onscreen. Spielberg has a knack for imbuing his films with wonder and, sadly, I don't feel that in movies these days
It’s a helluva catalogue! Obviously I’m going to say Jaws because I genuinely think it is the perfect film. There is no part of it that I don’t love. But I also want to mention Schindler’s List for just being an incredible, beautiful (if that is appropriate given the subject matter), heart-breaking and thought-provoking film. Humanity is at the forefront of all Spielberg’s films. That’s what makes him so brilliant.
I think SCHINDLER'S is probably the most accomplished character work Spielberg has ever done on screen. The titular character is such an interior transformation. It's slow, gradual, uncomfortable. Step away from all the brilliant filmmaking, and it's just a masterfully quiet character study.
Tough question. POLTERGEIST and GREMLINS are up there, but I really like the three-year run of TWISTER, MEN IN BLACK, THE MASK OF ZORRO, and DEEP IMPACT. Peak 90s fun.
I was going to rewatch SAVING PRIVATE RYAN while my family was away this past month, but I went with the new ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT instead for my "I feel like being destroyed by war" fix. Have you seen the latter yet?
Up in the mountains, the cicadas have gone quiet, but I think that's because the rain probably killed them all. I'm not sure how to explain it.
Happy holidays to you and yours, my friend. Be safe and merry. I've always believed the season long ago evolved away from godly stuff to one of human connection, charity, and compassion -- a time of year to remember we're all in this together. It seems that message is need more than ever.
The Color Purple. However, I may be biased as I was his personal assistant during the production.
Go on....
Yes, as Kris says, you can't say that and not expand, Mark. Hahahaha.
Empire of the Sun
I love this film but I don’t think I’ve watched it nearly enough. I remember being blown away by Christian Bale when I first saw it.
Same. That was a seminal film of my childhood. Unforgettable.
Jaws. For predictable nostalgia reasons, but it’s also perfect popular art and the greatest monster movie ever made. Critic Antonia Quirke wrote a terrific BFI book on it, which explains the movie’s brilliance way better than I ever could.
Agree on all counts. I alluded to this elsewhere in these comments...RAIDERS only wins out for me because it's what I would return to most. I always have and always will. But JAWS is a very, very close second...
Oh, yes Just rewatched Jaws and was surprised how well it held up. Then read the intro to How a Play Works where David Edgar writes a log line that serves both Jaws and Enemy of the People. Loved that especially because I'm doing a devising adaptation of Enemy with my high school students now. Tightrope over pro-facist themes...
This!
Perfect film is Raiders. Most historical impact Schindlers. Most prescient Minority Report. Most fun Jurassic Park. You’re right too hard!
The thing is, I actually think JAWS is a better film than RAIDERS. But do you know how good a film has to be to say it's better than RAIDERS OF THE LOST freaking ARK? But when it comes to a favorite, you know the thing you have to keep coming back to, it couldn't be anything other than RAIDERS for me.
CE3K - seen dozens of times both versions (no real preferred version). As a youth it was a science fiction movie as an adult is a family drama/man on the verge… movie. Funny, sad, scary, wondrous! RIP Terri Garr x
I just rewatched it this year again. I love it so much. Have you seen AD ASTRA?
I have but it left me a bit cold, I must rewatch it
I find it a much more emotional and humanistic film. Very much the anti-CLOSE ENCOUNTERS in many ways. I think it’s also very under-appreciated.
Too many to pick from, but this question was essentially written for me :)
It's JAWS. JAWS is pretty much the perfect film in my opinion, and every time I'm working on a project and I'm stumped as to how to handle a scene I turn to my favorite philosophy "When in doubt, steal from JAWS."
But yeah, RAIDERS, CE3K, DUEL, SUGARLAND EXPRESS, SCHINDLER'S, PVT. RYAN, E.T. I believe Spielberg probably has the best batting average of any director in my lifetime.
It's absolutely a perfect film. Did you see my recent essay about its first fourteen minutes? Not that you have to read it, but I've studied it a lot. https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/14-perfect-minutes-breaking-down
I did not see it, but I'm going to watch it right now.
Raiders is up there, but I love Empire of the Sun.
EMPIRE continues to be a film people love, but it's never landed with me enough to even make it into my Top 10 Spielberg. These comments on this question make me think I've missed something. It's been about a decade, so maybe it's time to revisit...
Do you mean as director or producer? A lot of options for both with him.
Director.
"Raiders Of The Lost Ark". He and Lucas clearly had a lot of fun doing it.
Jaws, Raiders & Schindler, but the one I didn't see here, which is underrated in my opinion, is Munich.
I've only seen MUNICH twice, which I feel like is fewer times than I should've at this point.
I have a special relationship to Jurassic Park that will never end. My first viewing, in theaters, at the age of 7, completely terrified me. I dragged my parents back to at least a half dozen more screenings, including my dad and I watching it twice in a row one day.
I bought the VHS day it came out, I bought and read both the novel AND the novelization, I wrote an entire scene-by-scene novelization of it myself, and the first $100 I ever saved was to get the Command Compound / Complex toy that was basically the fences, gate, and a tower from the movie (I, not wealthy, scrounged enough money together about the point it stopped being produced and went out of stock. I have never owned it).
In college I storyboarded it, the whole movie, for a class assignment, and I have gone to see it every time it returns to screen. I have owned it in every hard media format.
I thought about it a lot when I saw how Spielberg portrays The Greatest Show in Earth in The Fabelmans. Jurassic Park is to me what The Greatest Show in Earth is to him.
That said, I have no love for any of the sequels whatsoever and started refusing to see them after I saw the trailer for Jurassic World. It's exactly what I mean when I say you shouldn't let corporate IP be "your childhood." Jurassic Park means the world to me but that doesn't make the sequels forgiveable.
Thank you for sharing all of this, Dane. It came out the year I graduated high school, and in some ways it feels very much like a before-after film for me. It was a summer of transitions, I mean.
Jaws
Raiders
Jurassic Park
ET
Duel
The one people hate I love..Hook
It’s also my seminal Robin Williams movie.
I was 8 when this came out, it was magic, and between this and Aladdin RW was bigger than Santa Claus.
"There you are, Peter."
Jaws or Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is a flip of a coin for me with Jurassic Park coming next by a hairs breath. Each benefits from being a masterpiece as well as infinitely rewatchable.
I've been discussing this in the comments: RAIDERS and JAWS are nearly tied for me. RAIDERS wins because I've just returned to it so much.
This is deeply unfair cause Jurassic Park exists
How could it not be Raiders? The film is flawless. If I had to choose a second, it’d be Close Encounters, because of how it weirded me out as a kid. As for Spielberg as a producer: Gremlins! A wonderful holiday movie full of good cheer!
The problem with Spielberg is "The film is flawless" can be said about at least five films from him and it would be difficult to find serious people who would disagree with you.
There are so many I love. But AI hits me in a way that makes it very special.
https://youtu.be/NxkT6tPRfRQ?si=ybYpKffifNxyaoaF
I’m rewatching this soon. It’s been a long time for me. I want to see how my feelings about it have changed!
'Close Encounters... ' mainly because it was the first movie I'd seen that portrayed extraterrestrials as friendly and intelligent and not antagonistic or violent. Also, like many of Spielberg's movies, it focuses on the curious and exploratory 'child' that always lives in the hearts of people of all ages.
It's top 5 for me. I would've said top 3, but I've been struggling with aspects of it lately -- on a more spiritual level -- that's affected my relationship to it. I probably need to write an essay about that. But it's brilliant. Just brilliant.
Interested to read that essay!
This is a hard choice. ET was the first feature film I remember seeing. Jaws began my obsession with horror. Saving Private Ryan was the first movie I bought on DVD. But I think I have to go with Jurassic Park as it changed my life
Now you need to explain "it changed my life"...
I think it's where my love and appreciation for practical effects (and hope for digital!) began. I've also been fascinated by dinosaurs since I was a kid and Jurassic Park allowed me to live out my dream onscreen. Spielberg has a knack for imbuing his films with wonder and, sadly, I don't feel that in movies these days
Wonder is, indeed, largely missing from cinema these days.
It’s a helluva catalogue! Obviously I’m going to say Jaws because I genuinely think it is the perfect film. There is no part of it that I don’t love. But I also want to mention Schindler’s List for just being an incredible, beautiful (if that is appropriate given the subject matter), heart-breaking and thought-provoking film. Humanity is at the forefront of all Spielberg’s films. That’s what makes him so brilliant.
I think SCHINDLER'S is probably the most accomplished character work Spielberg has ever done on screen. The titular character is such an interior transformation. It's slow, gradual, uncomfortable. Step away from all the brilliant filmmaking, and it's just a masterfully quiet character study.
Top 4...Can't Settle on One:
"Saving Private Ryan"
"Raiders of the Lost Ark"
"ET"
"Empire of the Sun"
Writer Spielberg: Poltergeist (directed by Tobe Hooper)
Counter-question: What’s your favourite Spielberg-PRODUCED movie…?
I'm not sure I'd have an opinion as a producer, but EP?
Yeah. I meant his Exec Produced /Presents stuff. Gremlins, etc.
Tough question. POLTERGEIST and GREMLINS are up there, but I really like the three-year run of TWISTER, MEN IN BLACK, THE MASK OF ZORRO, and DEEP IMPACT. Peak 90s fun.
Maybe Gremlins for me. Totally forgot about Zorro. That was great! Happy holidays, BTW, Cole! Wishing you and yours all the very best for 2025.
Happy holidays to you, too, Alec - I hope the next year treats you and yours well!
As Director I have to say Jurassic Park - that first film with the first viewing of those dinosaurs was fantastic
One of the most exciting cinematic moments of my young life, absolutely. I was 18 at the time, and it felt like everything changed.
I watched SCHINDLER'S LIST every five years. It's a ritual. I must be alone. The house must be pitch-black. I cannot be interrupted.
I was going to rewatch SAVING PRIVATE RYAN while my family was away this past month, but I went with the new ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT instead for my "I feel like being destroyed by war" fix. Have you seen the latter yet?
Congratulations on the expanding family!
Up in the mountains, the cicadas have gone quiet, but I think that's because the rain probably killed them all. I'm not sure how to explain it.
Happy holidays to you and yours, my friend. Be safe and merry. I've always believed the season long ago evolved away from godly stuff to one of human connection, charity, and compassion -- a time of year to remember we're all in this together. It seems that message is need more than ever.
Please, tell my wife that. Ha!
I am incredibly surprised by the fact that you're the first person in these comments to mention E.T. That makes no sense to me. At all.