Steven Spielberg has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best modern directors, but it might surprise you what his most highly rated films are.
If you have heard of the cinema, you have probably also heard of Steven Spielberg. At this point the two the two are practically synonyms.
Even if you don’t pay attention to who is behind the camera, chances are you have seen or at least heard of the classics that he has directed or produced.
The living legend has worked with some of the greatest actors for films that span multiple genres, and his talents have been recognized by critics and fans alike the world over.
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So much so, that Spielberg's top-rated films on the film aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes come in at 94 percent score or higher.
Saving Private Ryan
Number five of his best scored movies is the 1998 WW2 drama, Saving Private Ryan with a score of 94 percent, in a touching and brutal film that has been heralded as the greatest war film ever put to screen.
The film synopsis reads: “Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Surrounded by the brutal realties of war, while searching for Ryan, each man embarks upon a personal journey and discovers their own strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage.”
Catch Me If You Can
Number four is the 2002 crime drama, Catch Me If You Can, with a score of 96 percent that showcased a brilliant performance from a young Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead.
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The film synopsis reads: “At the age of 17, Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) became the most successful bank robber in the history of the U.S. FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) makes it his prime mission to capture Frank and bring him to justice, but Frank is always one step ahead of him.”
Jaws
Number three is the 1975 classic Jaws, with a score of 97 percent and one of the most iconic theme tunes still recognized to this day.
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The film synopsis reads: “When a young woman is killed by a shark while skinny-dipping near the New England tourist town of Amity Island, police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) wants to close the beaches, but mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) overrules him, fearing that the loss of tourist revenue will cripple the town. Ichthyologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and grizzled ship captain Quint (Robert Shaw) offer to help Brody capture the killer beast, and the trio engage in an epic battle of man vs. Nature."
Schindlers List
Number two is none other than the 1993 biographical war drama Schindlers List, with a 98 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and an impeccable performance from Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson.
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The film synopsis reads: “Businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) arrives in Krakow in 1939, ready to make his fortune from World War II, which has just started. After joining the Nazi party primarily for political expediency, he staffs his factory with Jewish workers for similarly pragmatic reasons. When the SS begins exterminating Jews in the Krakow ghetto, Schindler arranges to have his workers protected to keep his factory in operation, but soon realizes that in so doing, he is also saving innocent lives.”
E.T The Extra-Terrestrial
Spielberg’s top rated film on Rotten Tomatoes will be a childhood favorite for many, and funnily enough is the only film Spielberg himself considers to be 'perfect'. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial commands a 99 percent score.
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The film synopsis reads: "After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas). Bringing the extraterrestrial into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces E.T., as the alien is dubbed, to his brother and his little sister, Gertie (Drew Barrymore), and the children decide to keep its existence a secret. Soon, however, E.T. falls ill, resulting in government intervention and a dire situation for both Elliott and the alien."
If you are a fan of Spielberg or cinema at all, it is certainly worth it giving at least one of these films on the list a watch.
Topics: Steven Spielberg, Film and TV
Gerrard Kaonga