Films by Steven Spielberg, 3-6
Steven Spielberg's skill with storytelling becomes even more apparent in these next four films.
3. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
This unique UFO story tells the tale of an electrician (Richard Dreyfuss) who is drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where an alien spaceship has landed. It is not a terror-filled tale of alien conflict or hostility, and therein lies its remarkable difference from other films of this ilk. Instead, it is a compelling story of contact and communication, foreshadowing the power of E.T. a few years later. The special effects were dazzling, and the movie gleaned many Oscar nods, including a win for Best Cinematography.
4. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Steven Spielberg struck pure gold in 1981 with the release of this movie, which was written by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. Set in the 1930s, the film stars Harrison Ford as archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones and follows his breathtaking journey in search of the Ark of the Covenant, which is said to hold the Ten Commandments. He must find it before the Nazis do, because, according to the story, Hitler has plans to use the Ark as a weapon. The film received glowing reviews and grossed more than $242 million.
5. E.T. (The Extra Terrestrial) (1982)
If Steven Spielberg struck gold with Raiders of the Lost Ark, he struck platinum with E.T. A classic film that appeals to all age groups, the story centers around a cute but very odd alien who gets marooned on Earth. He chances upon a boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas), and the two form a powerful bond. The film captivates and enthralls with its message of friendship, love, and generosity. E.T. was critically acclaimed and became one of the biggest money-makers in box office history, grossing more than $435 million in the United States alone, followed by a marketing frenzy that ensued from the sale of E.T. memorabilia.
6. The Color Purple (1985)
Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this 1985 production chronicles the life of a young African-American woman named Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), who lives in the South at the turn of the 20th century. She is a poor mother of two with an abusive husband (Danny Glover) whom she fears so greatly that she calls him "Mister." Often criticized as being compelling but
too careful and slick, The Color Purple still grossed more than $98 million at the box office and was nominated for 11 Oscars, although it did not win any.
Steven Spielberg's knack for magical whimsy and lively special effects -- as well as a growing interest in more sober topics -- continues on the next page.
