When Steven Spielberg first broke through in the movie biz, it was inconceivable that somebody that young could be a director. And indeed, this was a period when young people were finally breaking through in Hollywood and telling their own stories, and the big Spiel made his mark pretty early.
Spielberg started off making elaborate home movies, then got some notice for a short film called Amblin,’ the title of which he later re-used for his own company. Then came Duel, the TV movie about an ordinary guy who’s been stalked by a trucker, The Sugarland Express, a ‘70’s gem that never found its audience, then finally Jaws, which made him the hottest director in the world overnight.
We know the rest…Close Encounters, a career misstep with 1941, then bouncing right back with Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. The game changers kept coming with Jurassic Park, and turns into serious drama with Saving Private Ryan, Munich, and Lincoln.
So it’s hard to imagine Steven Spielberg turning 67 on December 18, because he still doesn’t strike us as old, or shall we say older. He’ll always be a kid at heart, and that childlike spirit is a big reason for his success. We at TGD wish the big Spiel a happy birthday, and there’s plenty of great Spielberg movies you can throw on to celebrate, but Jaws is certainly a great place to start, and you’ll be amazed at how well Duel and Raiders hold up as well.