If anyone deserves the authority to assess the present condition of American cinema, it’s Steven Spielberg. The renowned filmmaker responsible for iconic movies like
Jaws, E.T., Saving Private Ryan
and
Schindler’s List,
Spielberg has consistently demonstrated his enduring passion for filmmaking ever since he embarked on his career in the late 1960s.
As further proof of this fact, the 78-year-old Oscar winner recently provided his thoughts on the film he feels more deserving of being called the “greatest American film ever made” — an honor he bestows upon the iconic 1972 crime film,
The Godfather.
At the American Film Institute’sLifetime Achievement Award ceremony, Steven Spielberg and his co-collaborator fromIndiana Jones bestowed the esteemed award onto their good friendFrancis Ford Coppola, the unconventional director responsible for works like
The Godfather Trilogy, Apocalypse Now
and
The Conversation.
Per
Variety
Spielberg extensively discussed how Coppola has influenced both his personal career trajectory and the broader landscape of American filmmaking.
”
The Godfather
For me, this is the finest American film produced,” Spielberg stated to Coppola and the attendees at the AFI event. “While many creators receive recognition for their contributions through mediums like pages, canvases, or screens, our appreciation for you, Francis, comes from an altogether distinct group of admirers. In life, we often seek validation first from family, followed by friends, later by coworkers, and ultimately by contemporaries; however, you stand apart as unparalleled among your equals.
Continuing on, Spielberg said that he continues to create films that he hopes might impress his 86-year-old colleague, living up to the same heights established by Coppola in
The Godfather, The Outsiders
And numerous other classic American films.
Spielberg stated during his address to Coppola, ‘You have embraced and transformed the legacy of American cinema, thus igniting a new wave of filmmakers eager to earn your approval and the pride of both you and ourselves. It is important for me as well to continually win your admiration through my endeavors.’