Steven Spielberg

Interviews, Revised and Updated

Brent Notbohm, Lester D. Friedman

• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781496824035
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Film & Video

More than four decades after the premiere of his first film, Steven Spielberg (b. 1946) continues to be a household name whose influence on popular culture extends far beyond the movie screen. Now in his seventies, Spielberg shows no intention of retiring from directing or even slowing down. Since the publication of Steven Spielberg: Interviews in 2000, the filmmaker has crafted some of the most complex movies of his extensive career. His new movies consistently reinvigorate entrenched genres, adding density and depth. Many of the defining characters, motifs, tropes, and themes that emerge in Spielberg's earliest movies shape these later works as well, but often in new configurations that probe deeper into more complicated subjects—dangerous technology rather than man-eating sharks, homicidal rather than cuddly aliens, lethal terrorism instead of rampaging dinosaurs. Spielberg's movies continue to display a remarkably sophisticated level of artistry that matches, and sometimes exceeds, the memorable visual hallmarks of his prior work. His latest series of films continue to demonstrate an ongoing intellectual restlessness and a willingness to challenge himself as a creative artist. With this new collection of interviews, which includes eleven original interviews from the 2000 edition and nine new interviews, readers will recognize the themes that motivate Spielberg, the cinematic techniques he employs to create his feature films, and the emotional connection he has to his movies. The result is a nuanced and engaging portrait of the most popular director in American cinema history.

Filmography

1971

DUEL (TV)

Universal Pictures (aka MCA/Universal Pictures)

Distribution: American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Producer: George Eckstein

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Richard Matheson

Cinematography: Jack A. Marta

Production Design: Robert S. Smith

Editing: Frank Morriss

Music: Billy Goldenberg

Cast: Dennis Weaver (David Mann), Jacqueline Scott (Mrs. Mann), Eddie Firestone (Cafe Owner), Lou Frizzell (Bus Driver), Gene Dynarski (Man in Cafe), Lucille Benson (Lady at Snakerama), Tim Herbert (Gas Station Attendant), Charles Seel (Old Man), Shirley O’Hara (Waitress), Alexander Lockwood (Old Man in Car), Amy Douglass (Old Woman in Car), Dick Whittington (Radio Interviewer), Carey Loftin (Truck Driver), Dale Van Sickel (Car Driver)

Color

90 minutes

1974

THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS

Universal Pictures (aka MCA/Universal Pictures)

Producers: David Brown, Richard D. Zanuck

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Hal Barwood, Matthew Robbins

Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond

Editing: Edward M. Abroms, Verna Fields

Music: John Williams

Cast: Goldie Hawn (Lou Jean Poplin), Ben Johnson (Captain Tanner), Michael Sacks (Maxwell Slide), William Atherton (Clovis Poplin), Gregory Walcott (Mashburn), Steve Kanaly (Jessup), Louise Latham (Mrs. Looby), Harrison Zanuck (Baby Langston), A. L. Camp (Mr. Nocker), Jessie Lee Fulton (Mrs. Nocker), Dean Smith (Russ Berry), Ted Grossman (Dietz)

Color

110 minutes

1975

JAWS

Universal Pictures (aka MCA/Universal Pictures)

Producers: David Brown, Richard D. Zanuck

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb

Cinematography: Bill Butler

Production Design: Joseph Alves Jr.

Editing: Verna Fields

Music: John Williams

Cast: Roy Scheider (Martin Brody), Robert Shaw (Quint), Richard Dreyfuss (Hooper), Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Murray Hamilton (Mayor Vaughan), Carl Gottlieb (Meadows), Jeffrey Kramer (Hendricks), Susan Backlinie (Chrissie), Jonathan Filley (Cassidy), Chris Rebello (Michael Brody), Jay Mello (Sean Brody), Lee Fierro (Mrs. Kintner), Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner), Craig Kingsbury (Ben Gardner), Dr. Robert Nevin (Medical Examiner), Peter Benchley (Interviewer)

Color

124 minutes

1977

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Producers: Julia Phillips, Michael Phillips, Clark L. Paylow (associate)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Steven Spielberg

Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond

Production Design: Joe Alves

Editing: Michael Kahn

Music: John Williams

Cast: Richard Dreyfuss (Roy Neary), François Truffaunt (Claude Lacombe), Teri Garr (Ronnie Neary), Melinda Dillon (Jillian Guiler), Bob Balaban (David Laughlin), J. Patrick McNamara (Project Leader), Warren J. Kemmerling (Wild Bill), Roberts Blossom (Farmer), Philip Dodds (Jean Claude), Cary Guffey (Barry Guiler), Shawn Bishop (Neary Child), Adrienne Campbell (Neary Child), Justin Dreyfuss (Toby Neary), Lance Henriksen (Robert), Merrill Connally (Team Leader), George DiCenzo (Major Benchley), Amy Douglass (Implantee), Alexander Lockwood (Implantee), Gene Dynarski (Ike), Mary Gafrey (Mrs. Harris), Reverend Michael J. Dyer (Himself), Roger Ernest (Highway Patrolman), Carl Weathers (Military Police)

Color

132 minutes (special edition)

1979

1941

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Producers: Buzz Feitshans, Janet Healy (associate), Michael Kahn (associate), John Milius (executive)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale

Cinematography: William A. Fraker

Production Design: Dean Edward Mitzner

Editing: Michael Khan

Music: John Williams

Cast: Dan Aykroyd (Sergeant Tree), Ned Beatty (Ward Douglas), John Belushi (Wild Bill Kelso), Lorraine Gary (Joan Douglas), Murray Hamilton (Claude), Christopher Lee (Von Kleinschmidt), Tim Matheson (Birkhead), Toshirô Mifune (Commander Mitamura), Warren Oates (Maddox), Robert Stack (General Stilwell), Treat Williams (Sitarski), Nancy Allen (Donna), Lucille Benson (Gas Mama), Jordan Brian (Macey), John Candy (Foley), Elisha Cook Jr. (The Patron), Eddie Deezen (Herbie), Bobby Di Cicco (Wally), Patti LuPone (Lydia Hedberg), Slim Pickens (Hollis Wood), Wendie Jo Sperber (Maxine), Lionel Stander (Scioli), Dub Taylor (Mr. Malcomb), Michael McKean (Willy), Samuel Fuller (Interceptor Commander), Audrey Landers (USO Girl), John Landis (Mizerany), Mickey Rourke (Reese), James Caan (Sailor in Fight, uncredited), Penny Marshall (Miss Fitzroy, uncredited)

Color

118 minutes

1981

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Lucasfilm Ltd., Paramount Pictures

Producers: Howard G. Kazanjian (executive), George Lucas (executive), Frank Marshall, Robert Watts (associate)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Lawrence Kasdan

Cinematography: Douglas Slocombe

Production Design: Norman Reynolds

Editing: Michael Kahn

Music: John Williams

Cast: Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones), Karen Allen (Marion Ravenwood), Paul Freeman (Rene Belloq), Ronald Lacey (Toht), John Rhys-Davies (Sallah), Denholm Elliott (Marcus Brody), Alfred Molina (Sapito), Wolf Kahler (Dietrich), Anthony Higgins (Gobler), Vic Tablian (Barranca/Monkey Man), Don Fellows (Colonel Musgrove), William Hootkins (Major Eaton), Frank Marshall (pilot)

Color

115 minutes

1982

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL

Universal Pictures (aka MCA/Universal Pictures), Amblin Entertainment

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Melissa Mathison (associate), Steven Spielberg

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Melissa Mathison

Cinematography: Allen Daviau

Production Design: James D. Bissell

Editing: Carol Littleton

Music: John Williams

Cast: Dee Wallace-Stone (Mary), Henry Thomas (Elliott), Peter Coyote (Keys), Robert MacNaughton (Michael), Drew Barrymore (Gertie), K. C. Martel (Greg), Sean Frye (Steve), C. Thomas Howell (Tyler), Erika Eleniak (Pretty Girl), Richard Swingler (Science Teacher), Pat Walsh/Debra Winger (E.T. voice, uncredited)

Color

115 minutes

1984

INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

Lucasfilm Ltd., Paramount Pictures

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy (associate), George Lucas (executive), Frank Marshall (executive), Robert Watts

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz

Cinematography: Douglas Slocombe

Production Design: Elliot Scott

Editing: Michael Kahn

Music: John Williams

Cast: Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones), Kate Capshaw (Willie Scott), Jonathan Ke Quan (Short Round), Amrish Puri (Mola Ram), Roshan Seth (Chattar Lal), Philip Stone (Captain Blumburtt), Roy Chiao (Lao Che), David Yip (Rebekkah Sekyi), Clare Smalley (Dancer), Lee Sprintall (Dancer), Jenny Turnock (Dancer), Ruth Welby (Dancer)

Color

118 minutes

1985

THE COLOR PURPLE

Warner Brothers, Amblin Entertainment, Guber-Peters Company

Producers: Peter Guber (executive), Carole Isenberg (associate), Quincy Jones, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Jon Peters (executive), Steven Spielberg

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Alice Walker, Menno Meyjes

Cinematography: Allen Daviau

Production Design: J. Michael Riva

Editing: Michael Kahn

Music: Chris Boardman, Jorge Calandrelli, Andraé Crouch, Jack Hayes, Jerry Hey, Quincy Jones, Randy Kerber, Jeremy Lubbock, Joel Rosenbaum, Caiphus Semenya, Fred Steiner, Rod Temperton

Cast: Danny Glover (Albert), Whoopi Goldberg (Celie), Margaret Avery (Shug Avery), Oprah...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction to the Revised Edition
• Chronology
• Filmography
• At Sea with Steven Spielberg
• Filming The Sugarland Express: An Interview with Steven Spielberg
• Primal Scream: An Interview with Steven Spielberg
• Close Encounter with Steven Spielberg
• The Mind behind Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• Steven Spielberg in His Adventures on Earth
• Always: An Interview with Steven Spielberg
• Steven’s Choice
• Seriously Spielberg
• A “World” Apart
• Five-Star General
• An Interview with Steven Spielberg
• Spiegel Interview with Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg
• A Telephone Call with Spielberg
• Spiegel Interview with Steven Spielberg
• Q&A: Steven Spielberg
• Interview: Steven Spielberg Tempts the Fates with His Animated Tintin
• Steven Spielberg Interview for Lincoln
• Steven Spielberg on the Cold War and Other Hollywood Front Lines
• Ready Player One’s Steven Spielberg and Ernest Cline on Pooling Their Nostalgia to Tell a New Story