Spielberg 101 A detailed look at the life and times of Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg is undoubtedly one of the most influential and revolutionary film producers in the world.With the release of “Jaws”, Spielberg single-handedly changed the face of American cinema in 1975, and had many other successful box-office hits in the years to follow.
Spielberg has been so successful because he has been able to adapt to current trends, embrace new technology, balance great storytelling with box office potential, revolutionise film marketing and merchandising, and has worked with some of Hollywood’s finest writers, cinematographers, composers and actors.
He has not only directed some of the finest films of the last 35 years, he has produced or helped bring to fruition the films of countless talented directors and writers during that period.
Schindler’s List –
Steven Spielberg has always strived to be more than just a purveyor of profitable popcorn movies. In 1993 he was able to create “Schindler’s List” that was a very real look at the atrocities that took place under Nazi occupation towards the Jewish minority communities. The film immediately established itself as a harrowing true-life tale that left audiences all over the world speechless, with the movie’s rapturous critical reception all but assuring it a Best Picture win at the following year’s Academy Awards.
Saving Private Ryan –
“Saving Private Ryan” is, aesthetically, the greatest World War II movie ever made. That’s one thing a mega-budget and limitless resources allow a filmmaker like Spielberg to achieve.
What is so crippling to the viewer – through the majestic use of the sound stage and the documentary realism of the handheld camera – is how these men were put in a situation they had absolutely no control over. As the bullets whizz past the camera we as an audience realise that the situation is nothing more than a lottery. There was no reason to the objective anymore, it was simply a matter of survival.
If “Saving Private Ryan” glorifies America’s heroes it’s because they were heroes, just as the other allied soldiers were. But war is hell and Spielberg never shies away from showing just why.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade –
After the relative disappointment of “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”, Steven Spielberg must have felt tremendous pressure to return the series to the fun, fast-paced territory of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” isn’t far off eclipsing the original, It’s a fun, Saturday matinee-inspired action-adventure.
The introduction of Sir Sean Connery as Indy’s father was also a piece of casting worthy of shouting about. Given a million years and a million typewriters no-one could put dialogue into the mouths of Shia and Harrison to give them the chemistry Sean and Junior had.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial –
Radio Times voted “E.T.” as the greatest family film of all time. It’s very easy to see why – fun for everyone, from small children to grandparents, a happy emotional ending, and a universally appealing story of childhood innocence and friendship.
“E.T.” is a great indication of what makes Spielberg tick as a film maker and story teller. The bond that ensues between E.T. and lonely 10-year old, Elliot will warm even the chilliest of hearts as Elliot and his siblings help the home-sick alien to “phone home” and be reunited with his family.
Spielberg has always had a natural fascination with the idea of aliens arriving on our planet Close Encounters of the Third Kind – “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” marked Spielberg’s initial foray into the fascinating and sometimes scary world of alien creatures. In the years since its release, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” has become a bona fide classic of the science fiction genre – which is all-the-more impressive when you consider that the movie’s aliens are left mostly in shadow and silhouette.
War of the Worlds –
Spielberg’s interest in the alien world continues in his most recent Sci-fi offering, a remake of 1953 film “War of the Worlds” a project he had been considering since reading the book whilst at College. Unlike “E.T.” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” the aliens in “War of the Worlds” pose an immediate threat to humankind, leaving the main characters to fight for survival and flee to safety.
Jaws –
Steven Spielberg’s second theatrical release, “Jaws” completely changed the way Hollywood made and released big-budget summer movies. The movie is generally considered the first true blockbuster, with its massive success paving the way for three (inferior) sequels and firmly establishing Spielberg as one of the most promising filmmakers of our time.
Jurassic Park –
Adventure movie “Jurassic Park” became the highest grossing film ever when it was released in 1993, taking over from another Spielberg masterpiece “E.T.” Its success reaffirmed Spielberg’s natural talent for creating fun family adventure and became a huge franchise spawning two sequels, a theme park ride, comics and computer games.
War Horse –
Blending two genres in which he had previously enjoyed success, Spielberg’s family adventure film set in the First World War was a huge hit and was nominated for six Academy Awards. The film adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s children’s novel revisits the theme of the bonds of friendship that Spielberg so touchingly exhibited in “E.T.”, as a young man and his horse are forced apart and sent to war. “War Horse” goes to show that Spielberg remains strong in this genre and is firmly holding on to his title as the master of family classics.
As Spielberg shows no sign of slowing, what lies ahead for the multi-talented filmmaker? His next big project is Lincon, a biographical drama covering the last few months of Abraham Lincoln’s life as he battles to abolish slavery. With a theme of war running throughout the film, Spielberg should be in his element and “Lincoln” looks set to be yet another success to add to his repertoire. With another addition to the Jurassic Park franchise scheduled for 2014 and a plethora of other rumoured projects in the pipeline, it looks as though Spielberg will to continue to entertain, enthral and move audiences for a long time to come.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is available now on Blu-ray
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