Spielberg Names This Director the Only “Perfect Filmmaker” and Defends His Choice

Steven Spielberg has long admired many of cinema’s greatest directors, from Akira Kurosawa and David Lean to Stanley Kubrick and John Frankenheimer.

Yet when asked to name the “perfect filmmaker,” he didn’t choose any of them. In a 1974 interview with David Halpern, before Jaws had even wrapped, Spielberg revealed his top pick. “John Ford, technically, was, for me, the perfect filmmaker and Orson Welles was second,” he said.

“I only put Ford in front of Welles as a technician, as a great technician, although I’ve been yelled at and laughed at for that.”

Ford is widely known as one of the most influential directors of the American western. He redefined the genre through films like The Searchers, creating strong visual storytelling and memorable characters.

He was also John Wayne’s closest collaborator, helping craft some of Hollywood’s most iconic cowboy roles. Spielberg respects Ford’s economy in filmmaking, particularly his careful use of close-ups and wide shots. “If he’s taught me anything at all, he’s taught me how to hold back. I mean, Ford was so judicious about his closeups and his wide shots,” Spielberg said.

While many would place directors like David Lean or Orson Welles at the top of a “perfect filmmaker” list, Spielberg emphasizes Ford’s technical mastery. His influence extends beyond westerns, shaping how Spielberg himself balances visual storytelling with narrative economy.

Welles, according to Spielberg, comes in a close second for his own innovation and vision.

John Ford’s legacy is defined by his ability to combine technical skill with storytelling clarity. His films remain a benchmark for directors seeking to tell epic stories with simplicity and precision. Spielberg’s high praise shows just how much Ford’s work continues to inspire modern filmmakers.

In my view, Spielberg’s choice is a reminder that technical skill and disciplined storytelling are just as important as style or fame. Ford’s work proves that careful filmmaking can be timeless. Do you agree with Spielberg calling John Ford the “perfect filmmaker”? Share your thoughts in the comments.