Steven Spielberg, the legendary filmmaker known for directing some of the most emotionally intense scenes in cinema history, experienced a rare moment of vulnerability on the set of his film Lincoln. It was Daniel Day-Lewis who brought him to tears with a powerful performance that left Spielberg in awe.
Speaking at South by Southwest in a conversation with Sean Fennessey of The Big Picture podcast, Spielberg recounted watching Day-Lewis deliver a pivotal speech in Lincoln. In a four-minute take, the actor portrayed President Lincoln as he passionately implored his cabinet to pass the 13th Amendment. Spielberg was so moved by Day-Lewis’s portrayal that he couldn’t hold back his emotions.
Reflecting on the experience, Spielberg shared, “‘I have to this day, talking to you about it, never gotten over that scene, or how he played Lincoln, and how he became Lincoln, for all of us, for all that time.” After the first take, Spielberg walked off the set, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. Day-Lewis, still fully immersed in his character, sought out the director and found him in another room, where Spielberg was quietly shedding tears. In a touching gesture, Day-Lewis, as Lincoln, sat beside Spielberg and comforted him. It was a moment that Spielberg will always cherish.
This incident was one of several that Spielberg mentioned as having humbled him as a director. He also cited Anthony Hopkins’s performance in Amistad and Tom Hanks’s emotional scene in Saving Private Ryan as impactful moments that inspired him.
During the conversation, Spielberg also shared his belief that extraterrestrial life may exist on Earth, citing recent reports of unidentified aerial phenomena as fueling his interest in the subject. His upcoming film, Disclosure Day, delves into this intriguing topic and is set to be released soon.
When asked about his most underrated film, Spielberg fondly mentioned Always, a romantic fantasy starring Richard Dreyfuss and Audrey Hepburn. He revealed that he used the movie as a litmus test when dating, saying, “If they did not cry at the end, I wouldn’t go out with them again.”
Looking ahead, Spielberg teased a Western project in development, promising a fresh take on the genre. Despite his decades-long career in filmmaking, Spielberg shows no signs of slowing down. For him, the thought of not creating films is a nightmare he cannot fathom.
In a world where Spielberg’s work has captivated audiences for generations, his emotional vulnerability on set serves as a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on both creators and viewers alike.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.