Steven Speilberg’s filmmaking genius spreads far and wide. One of the major facets of his genius lies in his ability to explore different genre’s along with different forms of technology. Unafraid to step out of his comfort zone, Spielberg’s discography can be equated as a bible of films and filmmaking.
Adding to his technological prowess, the master filmmaker consciously maintains a healthy balance between the organic components of a story and the technology afforded to a filmmaker to realize that story. While many technical filmmakers get lost in technology, conveniently ignoring the story behind it. The equivalent of putting the cart before the horse. While Spielberg’s known for his use of technology, the maestro’s films also have a well-balanced narrative structure and stellar performances to back it up.
Here’s a look at some of the best performances in Spielberg’s films, ranked.
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10 Robert Shaw - Jaws (1975)
Universal Pictures
The sense of thrill behind Jaws arises from the fact that the terrorizing shark is more talked about than seen. This leaves the audience with the stillness of the ocean and the agonizing terror faced by the characters. One such standout character in the film is the narrow-eyed, loudmouth Quint, played by Robert Shaw. Through this drunk, devil may carry bravado, Quint convinces the rest of the crew that he’s the man to hunt down the shark. It’s only towards the end, we come to terms with who is the hunter and who’s the hunted.
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9 Anthony Hopkins - Amistad (1997)
DreamWorks Distribution
Anthony Hopkins is to acting what Spielberg is to direction: over the years, their names have become synonymous with success and perfection. When the duo collaborated on Amistad, a home run was expected and a home run it was. In the film, Hopkins plays the part of former President John Quincy Adams, an individual responsible for arguing about the freedom of men. Known for the utmost amount of preparation for the role, Hopkins delivered a seven-page monologue in one go, earning him the crew’s applause and an Oscar nomination in the process.
8 Harrison Ford - Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
In Spielberg’s Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Harrison Ford plays a quick-witted, archeologist. The characterization of Indiana Jones, his professional interest, and Ford’s charm make the now, world-famous character endearing and lovable. At a time when most of the characters were hard-boiled masculine gangsters, cops, or spies, having an intelligent yet street-smart archeologist was received as a breath of fresh air.
7 Eric Bana - Munich (2005)
If Indiana Jones is a quick-witted archeologist, Munich’s Avner Kaufman, played by Eric Bana, is a stoic spy working for the Mossad. The film was inspired by the real-life covert operations conducted by the Mossad, that aimed to eliminate the terrorists responsible for the Munich massacre of Israeli athletes. Bana portrayed Kaufman with an eerie stillness, hiding within a fire of sadness and vengeance.
6 Leonardo DiCaprio - Catch Me If You Can (2002)
DreamWorks Pictures
Catch Me If You Can is based on Frank Abagnale Jr’s autobiographical tale of how he conned the world by presenting himself as a doctor, pilot, and lawyer, all before graduating from high school. Since the character demanded convincing impersonations of various professions carried out by a young teenager, there was no better option than Leonardo DiCaprio. With Leonardo’s breezy charm, and Abagnale Jr’s wildly erratic incidents, Catch Me If You Can is a riot of a film.
5 Tom Hanks - Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Arguably one of Spielberg’s greatest films, Saving Private Ryan tells the story of how the US army went looking for Private Ryan, after three of his brothers had been killed in action. Deemed as a publicity stunt that would boost the morale of homesick soldiers, Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and his men are burdened with this task. What makes Hanks’ portrayal of Capt. Miller interesting is the empathy he approaches the role with, despite knowing the fact that his orders require him to risk eight lives in exchange for one. He understands it’s just not the one life he’s asked to retrieve, but the lives that might be waiting at home, too.
4 Whoopi Goldberg - The Color Purple (1985)
Based on Alice Walker’s novel of the same name, The Color Purple traces the life and hardships of a woman named Celie Harris and her two children born of assault by an abusive father. The Color Purple isn’t an easy film to watch, but is all the more important film, given the current social climate of things. Whoopi Goldberg portrays Celie with a sense of vulnerability and naivety, which further makes her journey increasingly difficult to watch.
3 Christian Bale - Empire of the Sun (1987)
Warner Bros. Pictures
While films like Come and See, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Lauft Jungle Lauft add tension by focussing on the reality of war and the hardships that come with it, Spielberg’s Empire Of The Sun approaches war with a sense of childlike innocence. Even as a child actor, Christian Bale was mature beyond his ages.
2 Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln (2012)
Walt Disney Studios
Daniel Day-Lewis is often regarded as the greatest living actor of the modern generation. Lewis’s portrayal in Lincoln was calm, stoic, and self-confident. Having been known as a man who understood the various facets of human nature, Lincoln was one of the most revolutionary presidents to have ever served the United States. Daniel Day-Lewis portrayal of Lincoln was eerie and accurate, winning him his third Oscar.
1 Liam Neeson - Schindler’s List (1993)
Schindler’s List is a case study into the psyche of a man operating within an evil system with the intention of doing good. Based on the novel, Schindler’s Arc by Steven Zaillian, the film follows Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) a German industrialist, and his effort to save thousands of Jews from execution during the Nazi regime. Neeson’s portrayal of Schindler doesn’t place him as a benefactor, helping others out of social obligation. He rather tries to save others in order to save himself. Schindler’s list received a total of seven Oscars and 12 nominations, with Neeson being nominated for best actor.
