Steven Spielberg has shaped modern cinema more than most directors alive today. From Jaws to Schindler’s List to Saving Private Ryan, his films have defined eras of movie making. Yet, despite his extraordinary success, Spielberg is candid about missteps in his career, especially two choices that still leave him unsatisfied.

The Close Encounters Compromise

After the triumph of Jaws, Spielberg moved on to Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). The film became a landmark in science fiction, but studio pressure forced him into a decision he has long regretted. Columbia Pictures demanded a tighter deadline and later pushed him to reveal the inside of the alien mothership. Spielberg complied, adding a scene of Richard Dreyfuss walking inside the vessel.

For Spielberg, the moment undermined the mystery that gave the story its power. “I never should have done that,” he admitted, adding that some things are better left unseen. He has since called the alteration a mistake and warned against revisiting or revising past work.

The E.T. Revision That Went Too Far

Years later, in 2002, Spielberg oversaw a re-release of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. In a move meant to soften the film for modern audiences, he replaced agents’ guns with walkie talkies. Looking back, he considers this decision another serious misstep.

“That was a mistake,” he explained at the Time 100 summit. “E.T. is a product of its era. No film should be changed to suit the lens of a different time.” Spielberg emphasized that films are historical signposts, capturing not only the story but also the world in which they were made.

Key Takeaways

• Spielberg regrets showing the inside of the mothership in Close Encounters.

• He admits replacing guns with walkie talkies in E.T. was a mistake.

• Both decisions were influenced by outside pressure rather than his original vision.

For Spielberg, the lesson is clear: art should remain true to the time and intention in which it was created. Even for a filmmaker of his stature, compromise can leave scars that no amount of editing can heal.