The Best Year Of Steven Spielberg’s Entire Career Was Only Possible Thanks To George Lucas

1993 was a banner year for Steven Spielberg, but his journey to making Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List in the same year began a decade earlier. Spielberg was celebrating the success of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial when he was approached to adapt the true story of Schindler’s List. Spielberg initially did not feel mature enough as a filmmaker to tackle the “gravitas of the subject matter, morally or cinematically” (via THR). A decade later, after making more “adult” movies, Spielberg, as a Jewish filmmaker, was disturbed by the rise of Holocaust denialism and felt ready to make Schindler’s List.

Universal agreed to produce Schindler’s List as a package with Jurassic Park, so, in a way, Jurassic Park saved Schindler’s List. However, Spielberg overlapped post-production of Jurassic Park with pre-production for Schindler’s List. Universal did not want Spielberg to work on both projects simultaneously, but Spielberg worked out a secret deal with his Indiana Jones collaborator, George Lucas, that saved his schedule. Without their mutual trust in each other, Spielberg might have had to compromise on what would be the best year of his career.

George Lucas’ Crucial Role In Making Jurassic Park Explained

Lucas Took Over Jurassic Park In Post-Production

Spielberg knew he could handle the production of Schindler’s List in Eastern Europe while still finishing post-production for Jurassic Park, but Universal was skeptical. For Universal, Jurassic Park would have been their priority, as it was expected to be a major summer blockbuster, while Schindler’s List was a smaller and riskier movie. Spielberg convinced Universal that he could oversee the mix remotely, but to cover his bases, he also sought the help of George Lucas.

“I said, “George, I’m in trouble. The studio’s really upset with me that I’m going to not mix Jurassic Park and go off to Europe and make Schindler’s List. Would you mix Jurassic Park?” I already had his mixers working on the film, so George said he’d take over. And he and Kathy Kennedy mixed the film.” (via THR)

Spielberg explained his scheduling conundrum with the studio, and Lucas agreed to take over Jurassic Park‘s mix. The transition was smooth as Spielberg was already using Lucas’ mixers for Jurassic Park. Spielberg relocated to Eastern Europe, so the filming locations of Schindler’s List would be where the events of the movie take place. Meanwhile, Lucas and Kathy Kennedy finished the mix, score, and color correction for Jurassic Park.

Jurassic Park & Schindler’s List Are Two Of The Most Important Movies Of All Time

To make either Jurassic Park or Schindler’s List is a huge accomplishment, but for Spielberg to direct both in 1993 is a nearly unparalleled achievement. Jurassic Park was expected to be a huge hit and still overperformed, breaking Spielberg’s E.T. box office record. Similarly, everyone expected Schindler’s List to be profoundly moving, but it beat an already high bar, winning multiple Oscars. Spielberg considers his best movie to be Schindler’s List, and its legacy as one of the most important WWII movies continues today.

Therefore, both of Spielberg’s 1993 movies miraculously outperformed already high expectations. Many of Spielberg’s best movies explore different genres, from sci-fi and adventure to humanistic dramas to musicals, but making two such radically different yet well-received movies as Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List in one year is an almost impossible, remarkable feat.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter

• 

  Huge advancements in scientific technology have enabled a mogul to create an island full of living dinosaurs. John Hammond has invited four individuals, along with his two grandchildren, to join him at Jurassic Park. But will everything go according to plan? A park employee attempts to steal dinosaur embryos, critical security systems are shut down and it now becomes a race for survival with dinosaurs roaming freely over the island.

  Release Date

  
  June 11, 1993
  

  Runtime

  127 minutes

  Writers

  Michael Crichton
  , David Koepp

• 

  Schindler’s List is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicling the efforts of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes, the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed during World War II while highlighting Schindler’s transformation from a profit-driven industrialist to a humanitarian savior.

  Release Date

  
  December 15, 1993
  

  Runtime

  195 Minutes

  Writers

  Thomas Keneally
  , Steven Zaillian