Steven Spielberg Reveals the Movie He Believes Was a Major Miracle

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Released in 1962, Lawrence of Arabia quickly became a cinematic classic. Its epic tale of T.E. Lawrence, torn between his British upbringing and allegiance to the Arab people, revolutionized filmmaking. Though only fifteen at the time, the film deeply inspired Steven Spielberg and solidified his ambition to become a director.

The acclaimed director later told the American Film Institute that Lawrence of Arabia was the film that truly launched his career. He marvelled at how the movie was made, calling it a production miracle, particularly because all its stunning visuals were accomplished without today’s computer technology. He playfully noted that the abbreviation CGI likely meant something completely different at the time, as digital effects weren’t involved.

I remember reading that Spielberg was just blown away by how massive and perfectly made this film was. It wasn’t just the big picture stuff, either – he’d get completely lost in the little details, like noticing camel tracks in a sweeping desert shot. He’d apparently spend ages thinking about how they actually filmed things – wondering which take was which and how long it took to shoot everything. That’s what really sparked his curiosity and made him want to understand how movies were put together, technically speaking.

As a lifelong movie fan, one moment in Lawrence of Arabia always sticks with me: the incredible scene where Omar Sharif appears as a distant mirage in the desert. It’s amazing to think they actually shot that, using a huge 800-millimetre lens, instead of relying on CGI like directors might today. But beyond the grand scale, what really gets me about David Lean’s work is how he could balance those epic, sweeping visuals with these incredibly personal and intimate character studies. It’s a rare gift, and Spielberg clearly recognized it.

He explained that Lean’s ability to tell a story taught him how to connect an audience with a character’s inner thoughts and feelings. Spielberg said the film’s combination of large-scale action, like the attack on Aqaba, and intimate survival scenes was what inspired him to become a filmmaker.

I’m so excited for what Steven Spielberg has planned this year! It’s incredible to see him continuing to create after all these years. I just learned he’s finishing up a new sci-fi film called Disclosure Day, and it’s coming out on June 12th! What makes it even more special is that he’s working with David Koepp again – they created some of my favorite movies together, like Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds. I can’t wait to see what they come up with this time!

In addition to directing, Spielberg continues to produce, recently helping to create several popular streaming shows and the upcoming film adaptation of Thursday Murder Club. He was recently honored at the Golden Globes for his lasting impact on filmmaking. At 79 years old, he still strives to create innovative stories, just as he did when he was first inspired by movies as a teen.

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2026-01-29 21:44