We asked you to vote for your favourite films directed by the great Steven Spielberg and you responded in great numbers (2,562 votes cast) and even greater love for his heavy contribution to Western cinema. It appears we hold a lot of nostalgia for the ol’ ‘berg too, for nothing from the past decade made the list.
(Can’t say that surprised us, really. War Horse? Lincoln? Ew.)
10. Empire of the Sun (1987)
Before he became a crazy-good Oscar-winning actor, Christian Bale was a crazy-good child actor in Spielberg’s affecting adaptation of J. G. Ballard’s autobiographical novel. Set in World War II, the film pierced audiences with its illustration of an English boy (Bale) coming of age – in an age where life seemed more fragile than ever.
“Learned a new word today: Atom bomb. It was like God taking a photograph.” – Jim
9. Minority Report (2002)
Based on the Philip K. Dick short story where the police have future-seeing technology, this entertaining Spielbergian sci-fi crime thriller made a number of its own future predictions. For one, it demonstrated conceptual tech we actively use today (e.g. touch screen and gesture-based controls). For two, it accurately predicted Tom Cruise’s knack for being in quality science-fiction films (Oblivion, Edge of Tomorrow, maybe not War of the Worlds…).
“There hasn’t been a murder in six years. There’s nothing wrong with the system, it is perfect.” – John Anderton
8. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
This is Spielberg unburdened by special effects, problematic mechanical sharks or weighty subject matter. What’s left is a showcase of the Berg in full, rollicking storytelling mode. A fun, suspenseful true crime caper that manages to find gold in the unusual pairing of Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.
“Stop chasing me!” – Frank Abagnale, Jr.
7. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Compulsive sculpting, a French New Wave director, communication via synthesizer, and that unwieldy (if unforgettable) title – only Steven Spielberg could employ such unconventional elements in the service of a blockbuster for all ages. Taking full advantage of our fascination with alien visitors, and avoiding the easy clichés of labelling them friend or foe until the audience has joined the film’s characters in being swept up in wonderment, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a masterpiece that left an indelible mark on those who saw it.
“Just close your eyes and hold your breath and everything will turn real pretty.” – Roy Neary
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
In an attempt to channel the joy and fun of ye olde Saturday Matinee Serials, Spielberg created a phenomenon with the first instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise. You’d figure his reputation as Han Solo would be enough fame for Harrison Ford, but he took all the cool points on offer as the adventuring tomb raider that would set the bar way too high for real-life archaeology professors.
“Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?” – Indiana Jones
5. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Seldom has the single-minded objective of a film’s characters been so succinctly summed up by a title. It’s a hook baited by a master filmmaker who’s not only prepared to take you on a men-on-a-mission thrill ride, but one that brings to life the chaos and horror of war like nothing before it. Taking advantage of all the monetary and technological resources at Spielberg’s disposal, Saving Private Ryan is triumphantly immersive in a way that’s been often imitated ever since – but Spielberg’s grip on emotive storytelling elevates it far beyond other wartime “spectacles”.
“Picture a girl who took a nosedive from the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.” – Private Ryan
4. Jurassic Park (1993)
“Dah daaaah, dah dah daaaah, dah dah DAAAAH dah daaaah daaaah daaaaaaaaaaaaah…” and with that, John Williams’ immortal score is stuck in your head for the rest of the day. This is but one of many aspects of Spielberg’s classic blockbuster that remained cemented in the minds of movie-lovers everywhere, a film that elicited as many awes as it did frights.
“Remind me to thank John for a lovely weekend.” – Dr. Ian Malcolm
3. Jaws (1975)
Poor sharks… they’ve gotten such a bad rap because of this terror-inducing masterpiece. They’re the only demographic who would actively boo Spielberg’s daylight horror; everyone else (including you) praised it as an essential experience in suspense and paranoia – one that made lifeguards’ jobs much easier when no one turned up to beaches after the film’s release.
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” – Brody
2. Schindler’s List (1993)
For a movie you’re likely to only watch once, Spielberg’s black-and-white Academy Award winner made an extraordinary impression on audiences. Given the nature of the true story, how one man saved the lives of many Jews having witnessed their mistreatment during World War II, it’s hard not to be left with any sort of impression. But it takes a masterful storyteller to truly capture the whole world’s sense of compassion that the film demands.
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” – Itzhak Stern
1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
When you think Amblin, you think ET. When you hear ‘phone home’, you hear ET. When we asked you to vote for the greatest Spielberg movie ever, you voted ET. While Spielberg has taken us to many cinematic landscapes and eras – the chaos of World War II, the deadly temples of India, some rich maniac’s dino-infested theme park – it was this sweet cul-de-sac family adventure that stayed in our hearts most prominently.
“No ‘douche bag’ talk in my house!” – Mary
Runners up: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Duel, The Colour Purple, Munich
