HBO's Spielberg documentary is almost here, and the first trailer has arrived

By Nick Hastings September 25, 2017

Over the past 40-plus years, Steven Spielberg has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, churning out classic films with unprecedented consistency and regularity. From Jaws to Bridge of Spies, the director’s résumé boasts a laundry list of acclaimed projects and Hollywood blockbusters.

It may come as a surprise that Spielberg’s otherworldly catalog has never been properly celebrated on screen — yet. Thanks to HBO, that all changes soon, with an October 7 release set for Spielberg, an exclusive documentary. HBO has released the first trailer.

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The film is directed and produced by Susan Lacy, who served as executive producer on PBS’ popular biography series American Masters for nearly 20 years. According to Variety, Lacy conducted more than 30 hours’ worth of interviews for Spielberg, which will feature a Hollywood who’s who of stars that have worked with Spielberg over his five-decade career.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Catch Me if You Can), Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List), Christian Bale (Empire of the Sun), Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln), and Harrison Ford (Raiders of the Lost Ark) are just a few of the A-list names who appear in the film — alongside Spielberg himself, of course. Several legendary directors and producers will also make appearances, including Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola.

Many of Spielberg’s most iconic films are featured in the trailer, including E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Saving Private Ryan. There’s also a fair smattering of old photos and video footage featuring the young director earning his stripes and palling around on set.

The hotly anticipated documentary isn’t the only new addition to HBO’s library next month. The ninth season of Curb Your Enthusiasm will launch on October 1, and The Tracey Ullman Show is also set to make a return (after more than 25 years!) with new sketches available beginning October 20. For a full list of additions — and subtractions — check our guide here.

Meanwhile, if you’re a Spielberg fan, you should be excited to know that a new Indiana Jones film is on the way, as well as historical drama The Post (December 22) and sci-fi/action flick Ready Player One (March 2018).

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