Steven Spielberg, regarded as one of the greatest American directors of all time, celebrates his 78th birthday today, December 18. He made his directorial debut with the 1971 film Duel, and just four years later, gained international recognition for Jaws. Take a look at some of his best cinematic creations
Adapted from the 1957 musical of the same name, it follows the story of Tony, part of a Caucasian gang, who falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernando, leader of a Puerto Rican gang. The film bagged 7 Oscar nominations of which it won one
Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epistolary novel of the same name, the film features Celie, who is raped by her abusive father, and later married off to a widowed man. Through her “letter to God”, the audience can sympathise with Celie’s struggles. The film was nominated for 10 Oscars
This sci-fi film follows the story of a young boy Elliot Taylor who befriends an extraterrestrial lost on Earth. Elliot helps E.T. find his way back home. The film won four out of the nine Academy Awards it was nominated for
This thriller film features police chief Martin Brody, who teams up with marine biologist Matt Hooper and professional shark hunter Quint, to capture a great white shark that terrorises beachgoers at a resort. The film was nominated for 4 Oscars of which it bagged three
Inspired by Michael Crichton's 1990 novel of the same name, the story follows a wealthy family and a team of genetic scientists who get trapped in a park full of genetically recreated dinosaurs. The film won all three Academy Awards it was nominated for
Archaeologist Indiana Jones makes it his mission to recover the long-lost biblical artifact, the Ark of the Covenant, vying with the Nazi Germans. The film was nominated for nine Oscars, of which it won five
Set during World War II in Normandy, France, Captain James Miller leads a team of soldiers to find Private Francis Ryan after his three brothers passed away fighting the war. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Director
This heart-breaking film follows the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist, who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust, by employing them in his factory. The film is Spielberg’s most decorated film, winning seven Oscars out of 12 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director