Movies Steven Spielberg or Stanley Kubrick - Who is the more versatile film director?

[Takes Two To Tango]

Both are considered the greatest filmmakers ever.

Who was more versatile, who dabbled in different genres and made quality films out of it?

Steven Spielberg:

Duel - (Action, Thriller)
Jaws - (Drama, Thriller, Horror)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind - (Drama, Sci-Fi)
Raiders of the Lost Ark - (Action, Adventure)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - (Sci-Fi, Family, Adventure)
The Color Purple - (Drama)
Empire of the Sun - (Drama, War)
Indiana Jones the Last Crusade - (Action, Adventure)
Jurassic Park - (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller)
Schindler's List - (Biography, Drama, History)
Saving Private Ryan - (Drama, War)
Minority Report - (Action, Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi)
Catch Me if You Can - (Biography, Crime, Drama)
The Terminal - (Comedy, Drama, Romance)
Munich - (Drama, History, Thriller)
The Adventures of Tintin - (Action, Adventure, Animation, Crime, Family)
Lincoln - (Biography, Drama, History, War)
Bridges of Spies - (Drama, History, Thriller, War)
Ready Player One - (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi)
West Side Story - (Crime, Drama, Musical, Romance)
The Fablemans - (Drama)

Stanley Kubrick:

The Killing - (Crime, Drama, Thriller)
Paths of Glory - (Drama, War)
Spartacus - (Adventure, Drama, Biography, History, War)
Lolita - (Crime, Drama, Romance)
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb - (Political Drama, Satire, Comedy, War)
2001: A Space Odyssey - (Adventure, Sci-Fi)
A Clockwork Orange - (Dark Comedy, Dystopian Sci-Fi, Crime)
Barry Lyndon - (Adventure, Drama, War)
The Shining - (Drama, Horror)
Full Metal Jacket - (Drama, War)
Eyes Wide Shut - (Drama, Mystery, Thriller)

 

[GoodBadHBK]

Kubrick wrote and directed his films, Spielberg only directed. From that alone he's 2x more versatile.

 

[Sweater of AV]

I'll say Kubrick mostly for the reason that he takes more chances and his films are more varied.

When Kubrick makes a film you're genuinely interested in what it's going to be like because you know it will be unique and interesting. Spielberg is a legend with a much deeper resume and higher budget films but he follows a straighter path imho.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Kubrick wrote and directed his films, Spielberg only directed. From that alone he's 2x more versatile.

We're not talking about writing, were talking about film directing here. Majority of the directors don't write the script from my knowledge. Who is more versatile based on the films they've directed in?

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I'll say Kubrick mostly for the reason that he takes more chances and his films are more varied.

When Kubrick makes a film you're genuinely interested in what it's going to be like because you know it will be unique and interesting. Spielberg is a legend with a much deeper resume and higher budget films but he follows a straighter path imho.

You don't think Spielberg took some risks in his career? His filmography is quite varied from animation, to sci-fi, to war, to comedy, musicals, you can go on and on.

 

[Sweater of AV]

You don't think Spielberg took some risks in his career? His filmography is quite varied from animation, to sci-fi, to war, to comedy, musicals, you can go on and on.

I wouldn't say those are risks in the same sense as Kubrick with respect to being a director. Some of those are just different genres and obviously he has a deeper resume.

You generally have at least some idea of what you're going to get from a Spielberg film but usually have no idea what to expect from Kubrick. Kubrick isn't everyone's cup of tea but personally I think his versatility is one of his greatest strengths. Kubrick also wasn't afraid to generate controversy in his films.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I wouldn't say those are risks in the same sense as Kubrick with respect to being a director. Some of those are just different genres and obviously he has a deeper resume.

You generally have at least some idea of what you're going to get from a Spielberg film but usually have no idea what to expect from Kubrick. Kubrick isn't everyone's cup of tea but personally I think his versatility is one of his greatest strengths. Kubrick also wasn't afraid to generate controversy in his films.

I understand what you're saying about risk and Kubrick unpredictability in his films. He definitely was the more dangerous of the two and is willing to make a point for the sake of truth. Even though it would have gave him tons of controversy. Yes in that sense he's the bigger risk taker.

But in terms of versatility as film director. I believe Spielberg one ups in that category, although very close. That just my opinion.

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

Kubrick made the more truly unique films, but SS has the more beloved catalog to the average movie watcher I'd imagine.

I'll go Kubrick since he died before he ever turned in stinkers like Crystal Skull

FWIW, The Shining is my no. 1 film of all time, however Jurassic Park sits at 5 for me personally. So they both deliver in their own ways

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Kubrick made the more truly unique films, but SS has the more beloved catalog to the average movie watcher I'd imagine.

I'll go Kubrick since he died before he ever turned in stinkers like Crystal Skull

FWIW, The Shining is my no. 1 film of all time, however Jurassic Park sits at 5 for me personally. So they both deliver in their own ways

That's very fair, thanks for your input.

 

[Sweater of AV]

I understand what you're saying about risk and Kubrick unpredictability in his films. He definitely was the more dangerous of the two and is willing to make a point for the sake of truth. Even though it would have gave him tons of controversy. Yes in that sense he's the bigger risk taker.

But in terms of versatility as film director. I believe Spielberg one ups in that category, although very close. That just my opinion.

That's fine but your argument isn't much more than he's done more films which almost always have bigger budgets. Spielberg is great but he hasn't really done anything that Kubrick couldn't have done. Kubrick could have directed any of Spielberg's movies and created something at least as interesting and worth watching imho. I can't say the same about Spielberg directing Kubrick's movies.

Just to give an example, think about what The Terminal would be like if Kubrick directed it. If both Kubrick and Spielberg directed a version of The Terminal which would you be more interested in seeing? I basically know exactly what I'm going to get from Spielberg whereas I'm genuinely interested in seeing what Kubrick does with the script.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

That's fine but your argument isn't much more than he's done more films which almost always have bigger budgets. Spielberg is great but he hasn't really done anything that Kubrick couldn't have done. Kubrick could have directed any of Spielberg's movies and created something at least as interesting and worth watching imho. I can't say the same about Spielberg directing Kubrick's movies.

Just to give an example, think about what The Terminal would be like if Kubrick directed it. If both Kubrick and Spielberg directed a version of The Terminal which would you be more interested in seeing? I basically know exactly what I'm going to get from Spielberg whereas I'm genuinely interested in seeing what Kubrick does with the script.

Just a reminder this is not about who's the best director is. This is about who's more versatile. Again the example of The Terminal is great. I'm sure Kubrick version would be very interesting, because he always does the unconventional approach I believe just like FMJ in comparison to his peers making vietnam war films at that time, FMJ stood out among the rest imo.

But yes Kubrick personal touch would be different to Spielberg. And therefore making it unique to its own. Not saying who would have done it better. That's a matter of audience taste. But they both would have varying approaches to that story indeed.

 

[Sweater of AV]

Just a reminder this is not about who's the best director is. This is about who's more versatile. Again the example of The Terminal is great. I'm sure Kubrick version would be very interesting, because he always does the unconventional approach I believe just like FMJ in comparison to his peers making vietnam war films at that time, FMJ stood out among the rest imo.

But yes Kubrick personal touch would be different to Spielberg. And therefore making it unique to its own. Not saying who would have done it better. That's a matter of audience taste. But they both would have varying approaches to that story indeed.

Yes, we're all aware it's not about who the best director is. I'm glad the example of The Terminal helped to explain what I'm saying.

However, you also have to consider directorial strength otherwise there's no point. You could run off and direct 300 films in a few years across 100 genres and claim you're more "versatile" than Steven Spielberg. Of course, no one will care.

 

[MLarson]

Steven Spielberg

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Yes, we're all aware it's not about who the best director is. I'm glad the example of The Terminal helped to explain what I'm saying.

However, you also have to consider directorial strength otherwise there's no point. You could run off and direct 300 films in a few years across 100 genres and claim you're more "versatile" than Steven Spielberg. Of course, no one will care.

True, valid point. However, were talking about the two arguably greatest directors that were having discourse about. Some random director making tons of films in all different genres, but not have quality films is a meaningless exercise.

So we are comparing directors with impeccable work and seeing who could be the more versatile if you can choose.

These guys the creme of the crop, not just some average joe blow per se.

 

[Sweater of AV]

True, valid point. However, were talking about the two arguably greatest directors that were having discourse about. Some random director making tons of films in all different genres, but not have quality films is a meaningless exercise.

So we are comparing directors with impeccable work and seeing who could be the more versatile if you can choose.

These guys the creme of the crop, not just some average joe blow per se.

It's meaningful in that it shows why you have to consider directorial strength. It's an extreme example to make that simple point.

Both have done a wide variety of genres and have proven themselves as belonging among the greatest directors ever. I think we can both agree on that. But again, the vast majority of people would be more interested to see what Kubrick does with a script than Spielberg. That's a massive part of versatility. If you disagree that's fine but to me Kubrick is the more versatile director.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

It's meaningful in that it shows why you have to consider directorial strength. It's an extreme example to make that simple point.

Both have done a wide variety of genres and have proven themselves as belonging among the greatest directors ever. But again, the vast majority of people would be more interested to see what Kubrick does with a script than Spielberg. That's a massive part of versatility.

If you believe that's your prerogative. That's all good. I just think Spielberg is the more versatile guy because he touched on so many different genres and done well with them. Not just average films. But good quality to masterpieces.

 

[Sweater of AV]

If you believe that's your prerogative. That's all good. I just think Spielberg is the more versatile guy because he touched on so many different genres and done well with them. Not just average films. But good quality to masterpieces.

That's fine and it's your opinion but Kubrick also made great films across a wide variety of genres. A big difference between them in terms of versatility lies in what they can, and are willing to, do with a script. Kubrick gets the nod.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

That's fine and it's your opinion but Kubrick also made great films across a wide variety of genres. A big difference between them in terms of versatility lies in what they can, and are willing to, do with a script. Kubrick gets the nod.

Good choice, will agree to disagree. Take care.

 

[TheNinja]

I went with Steven. But Full Metal Jacket is my favorite film of everything listed there.

 

[Sweater of AV]

Good choice, will agree to disagree. Take care.

Take care, T4.