The Movie That Made Spielberg | Film Review

In 1975, Steven Spielberg released “Jaws,” a film that quickly became a cultural phenomenon and is credited with creating the concept of the summer blockbuster. Audiences flocked to theatres, and reports from the time suggest the film instilled a real fear of the ocean, noticeably impacting beach attendance.

The Birth of a Blockbuster

“Jaws” was only the third full-length feature film from the young director, but its success paved the way for a series of titles that would shape modern mainstream cinema. Just two years later, in 1977, Spielberg released “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” a key science fiction film that arrived alongside “Star Wars” and contributed to the genre’s boom in the following decades.

Since then, Spielberg’s name has been associated with some of the most profitable and beloved films in history, including the Indiana Jones series, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List,” “Saving Private Ryan,” and “Catch Me If You Can.” He has become one of the most influential figures in Hollywood, a director who has changed not only genres but also the scale of filmmaking itself.

The Influence of “Citizen Kane”

Behind this success, however, lies a careful study of the great masters. Spielberg frequently cites John Ford and François Truffaut as inspirations, but one film shaped his perception of cinema in a way that surpassed all others: “Citizen Kane” (1941). Directed by and starring Orson Welles, the film tells the story of Charles Foster Kane, inspired by media magnate William Randolph Hearst, and traces the rise, loneliness, and downfall of a man obsessed with power and his own image.

Spielberg was impressed not only by the film’s narrative but also by its uncompromising form. He openly admires Welles’s courage to break the rules and impose his own vision. “Citizen Kane is an icon of daring – the courage to say: I’m going to do it my way,” the director shared.

Spielberg also noted the revolutionary technical solutions—the deep focus, shots with visible ceilings, and the complex, fragmented structure of the narrative. He described Welles’s approach, stating, “We will see from one inch to infinity in every frame. We will tell a tangled, mysterious story about a man’s life.”

“Citizen Kane” is often considered the greatest film ever made—an assessment with which Spielberg fully agrees. “It is one of the great American experiences in cinema,” he said. His love for the film extends to owning one of the iconic sleds from the film—the “greatest souvenir” he possesses, according to his own words given to BBC.

A Legacy of Innovation

The influence of Orson Welles doesn’t end with Spielberg. The generation of directors known as “The Movie Brats”—including Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Brian De Palma—also grew up in the shadow of “Citizen Kane.” While some of them speak more reservedly about it, it’s hard to deny that the film helped shape an entire generation of filmmakers, and through them, the language of cinema we take for granted today.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was “Jaws” released?

“Jaws” was released on June 20, 1975.

Who directed “Citizen Kane”?

“Citizen Kane” was directed by Orson Welles, who also starred in the film.

What other films has Spielberg directed?

Spielberg has directed numerous successful films, including the Indiana Jones series, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List,” “Saving Private Ryan,” and “Catch Me If You Can.”

Considering the lasting impact of films like “Jaws” and “Citizen Kane,” what role do you believe innovation plays in shaping the future of cinema?