Spielberg on Spielberg (2007) (TV)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Richard Schickel

Writer:

Richard Schickel (written by)

Release Date:

9 July 2007 (USA)

Plot:

Considered to be one of the most respected film critics in the country, as evidenced by his work with Time magazine...

Plot Keywords:

Filmmaker | Film Director

Cast

Steven Spielberg

...

Himself

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Company:

Lorac Productions

Movie Connections:

Features Duel (1971) (TV)

A lively look at a master filmmaker

Richard Schickel, who always does excellent film documentaries, has again given us an insightful interview with a director. This time it's Steven Spielberg. Spielberg talks of the films he made in childhood, his entry into show business, his first forays in directing, and his many accomplishments. The interview is interspersed with film clips of Spielberg's teen efforts, the TV movie he directed, "Duel," as well as "Jaws," "Schindler's List," "E.T.," "Close Encounters" et al.

It's obvious from listening to Spielberg talk that he's a man of tremendous energy and passion whose ambition early on led him to take risks and ask for what he wanted. I doubt very much if his success was ever in doubt among those who knew him. A dedicated family man, he says that he wouldn't end "Close Encounters" the way he did originally, that now, as an older and committed husband and father, he knows the value of family in a way that he didn't back then. He also speaks of the formation of his Shoah Foundation, an offshoot of his work in "Schindler's List." At 60 years old, Spielberg speaks with the excitement of a man years younger and with the rapid speech of a teenager. We can expect much more interesting and varied work from him in the years to come.