The Film Steven Spielberg Has Watched More Than Any Other 

I could listen to Stephen interview Steven Spielberg for the rest of time. The Man is sooo talented.

Before clicking I knew it’s going to be Lawrence of Arabia. Spielberg has spoken before how that movie inspired him to become a filmmaker.

First watched Lawrence of Arabia after Dune and Dune: Part Two. When Lawrence says “nothing is written,” I shot up in my seat and gasped. We cannot help but retell stories, and that is a beautiful thing in itself.

Spielberg is right, the greatest thing about human beings compared to any other species is our capacity to create stories. Spielberg has always considered himself as a storyteller before being a filmmaker.

I remember hearing that Lawrence of Arabia was the movie that got Steven into filmmaking. Thank you David Lean for not only giving us many masterpieces but inspiring more filmmakers to make further masterpieces.

I have always loved Spielberg because he has been involved in all genres of film as a director and producer. I think that's cool.

I am impressed with Stephen’s probing of Steven’s motivations and the underlying themes of Lawrence of Arabia. Really great interview

Humility is an attractive quality.

I loved this interview. As a cross discipline artist, arts educator, and arts minister I often encountered people who thought they were not creative. I told them that's impossible. We are made in the image of a creative God. You might be a creative cook, a creative gardener, a creative lover...I also helped them discover that they were also artistically creative. I've seen grown people weep at that discovery about themselves. I was a girl of eight when my parents took me to the Fox theater in Detroit to see the new epic film Lawrence of Arabia. I was spellbound. It was what I would come to call a perfect film. A rare thing. By perfect I mean it seemed to have been birthed of a piece. The photography, acting, writing, and score were absolutely cohesive and could not be teased apart. That theme stuck with me for the rest of my life. I could hear it in my head like it was fresh and real. It was always accompanied by those sweeping dune shots that it so effectively mirrored. Eventually as an adult I watched it multiple times more. Upon returning from the theater I wrote my first poem. It was a lengthy thing called Ode To The Desert and it yielded my first accusation of plaigerism. I was mortified. As a teen I read his biography. Fascinating. I still love that film.

I recently rewatched Lawrence of Arabia. It's truly epic.

Was thinking it was gonna be Citizen Kane, Stagecoach, or The Shining but Lawrence of Arabia is a great pick

I am so glad I waited to see LoA for the first time on a big screen. All my life it’s been referred to as this great film, but I grew up seeing clips on 20 inch tube TVs. When I finally saw a print I was awestruck by the scale and scope. I was also surprised at how entertaining the darn thing was … and that they shot a battle scene as big as anything in Lord of the Rings with real people on horseback.

I have always greatly admired Spielberg's humility no matter how big and successful he got - something many great directors are not known for. He had it as a young man on the set of Jaws in the 70's and he still has it today. I wish more people were like him.

What an interesting film for Spielberg to choose. My favourite scene from that film is the one when he and the young man make it across the desert…. Miles of nothing but sand and suddenly you see the top of the ship in the canal seemingly floating through that very sand and they realize that they have made it. And … the next scenes where Lawrence insists that the young man is “Allowed” into the Officers’ Mess or the officers’ club, whatever, when they deny him a glass of water. O’Toole is amazing in that scene and, let’s face it, in that film.

Stephen knows what he's doing here with this drawn out Spielberg interview. Spielberg is our most impactful living American director.

One of the greatest films ever made, LONG LIVE El AURENS!

Saw Lawrence at the IMAX in London and to this day it's the best ever time I've spent in the cinema.

I love Lawrence of Arabia! I've seen it many times. It is gorgeous and fascinating and a (somewhat) accurate history lesson. Great acting, directing, music, etc.

I've seen it at least 50 times! Eight alone at the 1988 restoration screening at the Ziegfeld in NYC!

“Lawrence of Arabia” is, indeed, a timeless masterpiece (even in 2023).

I was just in Morocco including the Sahara. I have had Lawrence of Arabia in my head since I first saw it. Going to watch it again when I am home. A stunning film never to be forgotten, about a remarkable man. Yes, his ego overshadowed his greatness. Was it seven Pillars of Wisdom?

I hope all of these clips are shown in its entirety because I want so much to hear what Steven Spielberg has to say, he’s such an interesting man and he rarely does interviews like this one. I’ve watched Laurence of Arabia three times in my life (I’m 60 on Monday) It is a cinematic masterpiece!! My most watched movie is Out Of Africa, and I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve watched that, but I’ve paid 3 times to watch it in a cinema ❤ My other all time favourite movie is The Man Who Would Be King. Id never get tired of watching that movie ❤

When LofA opened in my hometown in 1962 I went to see it on a whim. I didn't know much about Lawrence or for that matter O'Toole, David Lean etc. I was 15. This film absolutely bowled me over. I hadn't seen anything like it before. I went back to see it again. And again. And again. So many times in fact that the manager and cashier would just wave me in free of charge.

Spielberg is the GOAT.

Laurence of Arabia is the first film I saw that made me realise that Movies weren't just for entertainment but rather a piece of art! To hear him say that makes me very happy!

His pick surprised me (albeit pleasantly). I know that he watches The Searchers before he starts work on every one of his films.

"You've made so many films. When are you going to do the big one?"

Wow 🤩 his ability to create with such humility is inspiring. ❤

Lawrence of Arabia on a big screen is the best film experience I’ve ever had. It’s sad to see that arcade game sitting unused; if I had one, I’d play it all the time,

Mine is Indiana Jones and the last crusade.It has such a variety of locations,its got humour,adventure,and the cast look like they were having a great time.

min 0:33 "A man whose identity comes from what people say about him (facebook), write about him (tweets), his pictures (insta)..." Lawrence of Arabia = Western Civilization and the birth of the post-modern individual.

When Lawrence of Arabia is playing on the Big Screen, I watch it.

Hopefully they still have more hours of Stephen interviewing Steven 😂 I love this, you learn so much between the 2 and the art and subject they’re talking about even humanity! It’s so beautiful

I purchased the Middle Earth 4k Collection and there wasn’t much extras/supplements on it; I was disappointed by the lack of extras on such a huge boxset..BUT! Stephen Colbert made up for my disappointment. When I watched his interview w/the actors, it was blown away! His contribution to this boxset changed everything for me. No more gripping about having a lack of material. SC made the set complete and epic because of the way he interviewed the cast. With that said, he did the same deep dive with Steven Spielberg and we as viewers got to benefit from the wisdom for the interview. I tell ya, we need more of these interviews from Stephen Colbert outside of his late night show. I would LOVE to see his interviews in the way we saw with Barbara Walters growing up. Colbert pulls emotion and all these other elements that just doesn’t come across from many others who do interviews. Many great journalist and awesome folks who do these kind of interviews, but there is just something about his style..now that I’m thinking about it-I think Colbert ask questions from a fans point of view-a true fan of who he interviews. Maybe that’s the magic of it. Colbert must be a fan; an admire of who he interviews-that’s gotta be the key to the success of these few interviews outside of his talk show.

I have to say, Steven Spielberg 's movie about the Alamo which no one seems to know about and I can't remember (oh, just reminded...the library) yes...that was ultra cathardic for me and I cried just about through it all.. I am very "place oriented "...the Alamo is such a sacred place. I have taken people who were not Native Texans (like me) and they had tears in their eyes the whole time we visited there. Steven caught the terrible ambiance of "place"...

I'm glad Steven steered the convo back to the wider appreciation of the capability of creativity as a whole when he referred to sketching on a piece of paper. Stephen was trying to stroke an ego that clearly doesn't exist within THE BERG.

Very few films change me. His film "Saving Private Ryan" forever changed my opinion about war.

Spielberg is iconic film maker that has made so many classics he will have such a incredible legacy in film and pop culture.

1:33: The difference between making a movie and sketching is that in the former you almost always have to first convince people to help you.

I avoided Lawrence of Arabia for a long time, because I expected it to be a beautiful slog, but of course it wasn't--and I've seen it 5 or 6 times now.

Thanks for sharing your genius with us Steven. 😊🌸

A classic that I'm glad to have seen the restored version of on the big screen at the Cinema 21 in San Diego. However, Lawrence in real-life was just as described, a "Doubled-edged" sword among other things,, that as with William Wallace of "Braveheart" would make it impossible to make the film as such today.

how lucky are we to live in a time we can watch everything he has made..god we are lucky despite our modern hardships.

I think we're going to need a bigger interview.

Wow! I guessed right on that movie. I can see in many of Spielberg's movies, moments that appear to be inspired by Lawrence of Arabia.

Incorrect. The film you should watch the most is 1985’s ‘Clue’..

Its easy to not need applause and achknowledgment when you awarded and applauded by movie goers’ critics and Fellow’ actors’ directors. Its harder To be a person who is never given credit’ And Only wants to be validated’ and seen .. to experience the Smile someone gets when you speak’ or they receive a revelation from you’. the joy of them lighting up or atleast appreciating Your presents.

excellent idea to chop up the interview vid into smaller segments to be uploaded successively every so often.

The film I have watched the most is probably "Jaws" ;-) -

People think I’m pretentious and at best out of touch when I say Lawrence is my favorite film. I guess if I was successful and famous like him I could afford it not to appear so. The double standard is really unfair.

Can y'all post the full unedited version of Steven and John

Stephen is a great interviewer. Smart, witty, well informed. Currently, the best late talk-show host.

Lawrence of Arabia is the best damn movie ever made.

I always think of the difference between monkeys/apes and humans. If a human is meticulously trying to do something, but continually getting it wrong, they'll either keep trying to get it right, settle for something wrong, or give up in various degrees (walking away, getting frustrated, or smashing it). If an ape or a monkey suffers the same frustration, it's more likely to just throw some kind of tantrum. Humans have an immense capacity for long term concentration on exactly what they are trying to achieve.

For any interviewer, it's a truly privilege to interview a genius like Spielberg, and if you ask me about the film I've watched more than once, I'll likely tell ya "The Irishman" by Scorsese, I hope this Scorsese's movie has the respect that deserves as time goes by.

That is some awesome sparring. I love how Mr. Spielberg differentiates himself from Lawrence.

"The act of creation, which all of us is capable of and all of us do, whether we know it or not, is the most extraordinary thing that we as a species could possibly do, those are the gifts and opportunities we are given all the time." -Steven Spielberg

Fantastic just fantastic thank you both

Beautiful interviewing......beautiful interview....Thanks.....🙏

They should take the audience laughter out of this. It’s misplaced and awkward at times

Never underestimate the necessity of humility. If your identification with your ego diminishes over time this is no bad thing. Your ego knows this, but it won't tell you. Now turn around and try not to scream.

I agree , ego is typically an unappealing thing, especially grandstanding, I think the root of mine comes from a lack of self value.

All I took from this is Spielberg can’t admit when he’s wrong & how much of a hypocrite he is. Colbert got him spot on. Who pats themselves in the back more than Spielberg at this point & then pretends it was selfless? The dude literally directed his own biopic for Oscar bait.

as a nerd I vibe with Colbert's enthusiasm for movies, but i do think Steven's initial read on Lawrence as a character should be meditated on, more so than the usual poetics linking "greatness" to the achievements of renowned figures. I feel like the continual priority of "doing the impossible" over less represented facets of humanity has led to many of the situations we're currently in, where grand undertakings of dynasties and demagogues eclipse the reasons and often selfish motivations behind them. keep in mind, while Spielberg's goat'd with the sauce and gets down cinema style, he also adapted Jurassic Park, which has perhaps the most known "can vs should" monologue in modern cinema. I just really appreciate that this dude who's come so far, whose name is synonymous with the very medium he works in, still sees value in the innate act of creativity that human beings crave and partake in. him and George are among the true exceptions of wealth and influence corrupting, because they *stay in their lane* and never reach beyond that which they understand.

Lawrence of Arabia, i thought so, since i watched this inforgettable Spielberg interview where he talked how David Lean gave him a "live commentary" of his film during a screening,he says it was one of the greatest moments of his life, and recently in a french interview, Baz Luhrmann said Spielberg did the same for him about the same film, he probably repeated, transmitted what Master Lean gave to him earlier in his life,"That's how a generous man he is" ad the aussie director, isn't it wonderful ?

One of the Greatest flim makers in Hollywood history wonderful human being amazing person in Hollywood 👍👍👍👍

First film I remember my parents taking me to, Lawrence of Arabia. Pretty sure I slept through much of it, and gratefully have seen it a few times since.

03:12 One of my favourite sayings: "If was easy, it wouldn't be any fun."

Although I love Peter O’Toole, I thought he would say the Godfather

I love Spielberg. His humanity I admire very much.

Lawrence of Arabia is one of my favorite movies from my childhood, the other is Doctor Zhivago. I showed LoA to my kids and they both liked it as well.

Great film. Managed to see it in the cinema a couple of years ago during a re-release and it was a great experience.

God I get sick of Stephen taking over the interview because he wants to sound smart. Ask the question and let the GUEST talk ffs.

The trick is not minding that it hurts.

Jiminy Glick's interview of Spielberg was better. He took him to task and wasn't afraid to admit he didn't know who he was

Yes, tool use is not what sets us apart from our fellow animals. What sets us apart is our creative expression - the arts. Without them, we devolve. I think that might contribute to the sorry state of our country...arts are the first thing to be cut in education.

I feel left behind. lol. I need to see 2001, lawrence of arabia, the godfather trilogy, pulp fiction, casablanca, the alien franchise, and other classics.

The arcade cabinet is clutch.

I thought he would have said ALIEN.LOL

Mr. Spielberg is correct on the movie. Peter O'Toole much like James Earl Jones has THE voice. A voice and speaking pattern that is just amazing to listen too. Oh, the movie was great too. If you haven't seen this classic great. Please do so and you'll see what I mean about just how great a speaker/actor Peter O'Toole is - One of the greatest of all time, in one of the greatest movies of all time.

wow. I would never have guessed 'Pink Flamingoes.'

I believe that LAWRENCE is Scorsese's favorite movie too. (At least that's what he said at a 2008 Kennedy Center event that I attended, and at which Spielberg, incidentally, also was present.)

NO way I am first!? Both my Steves talking about the things I love most. Elated.

It is an interview where we spend time listening to the interviewer.

Lawrence of Arabia, best film ever, will never be outdone.

I’d like to see Spielberg make a film about Gertrude Bell. She knew the real TE Lawrence and had more knowledge and influence than Lawrence!

I was thinking he would say Lawrence of Arabia and I am jumping. There is no movie like it and there never will be again.

Keep an eye on this Spielbaum kid, I think he's gonna have quite a future.

I wonder what he thinks of Dune...

Interesting. I saw another Spielberg interview of him discussing Scorsese and other 'stylists' whose works can be instantly attributed to their author's. He said while he thinks of himself as being a great 'storyteller' he has no distinct artistic style. He seemed a bit resigned while he was saying it. It's interesting to hear him discuss why Lawrence of Arabia is his most-watched: 'A deeply detailed portrait of a lonely human being who doesn't know anything about himself... His identity comes from what people say and write about him.' I wonder if Spielberg is giving something away about himself there. It would be a shame if he felt the same way. The guy's a genius.

When you're finished parsing these clips out, can you just post up the whole extended interview in one video please?

I need to watch that movie again.

Goodness, glad he gets so much outta that film, and it was an unexpected answer to the question. I've seen that movie twice or thrice and find it largely boring apart from several beautiful shots. Maybe I'll get more out of it someday. I was joking in my head that Spielberg must watch it more than any other cuz he does so every night before falling asleep. Also pleasantly surprised to see Colbert ask insightful follow-ups after the answer showing appreciation for the film.

People who haven't seen the incredible splendor that is "Lawrence of Arabia", GO WATCH IT!!!

before clicking and watch the video, i knew he would say Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia. Yes!

To get the sunrise shot David Lean had to haul his crew out into the desert in the middle of the night and wait for the few seconds that would allow for the shot. Also the charge into Aqaba shown in a single take. No computers.

There's a theater in my area that has a Lawrence of Arabia showing once a year. They also have an old fashioned theater organ that rises out of the stage before, after and during the intermission. The organist plays the Lawrence of Arabia theme. It's pretty cool. The Heights Theater if you are ever in the Minneapolis area.

Spielberg couldn't afford a real Star Wars arcade machine? He's rocking an Arcade1UP? smh

Too much Spielberg. What does Colbert owe him?