Steven Spielberg's Lifelong Love for a Forgotten World War II Classic As the entertainment world eagerly awaits the release of Steven Spielberg's latest sci-fi epic, Disclosure Day, many are unaware of the iconic director's long-standing affinity for a lesser-known war film from the 1940s. This 82-year-old gem, which has largely faded from public consciousness, has been a cherished favorite of Spielberg's since his childhood, shaping his cinematic sensibilities and inspiring his own celebrated work. The film in question is 1943's "In Which We Serve," a British war drama directed by Noël Coward and David Lean. Though it may not carry the same name recognition as Spielberg's blockbuster franchises, this understated masterpiece left an indelible mark on the young filmmaker, who has championed its legacy for decades. "In Which We Serve" tells the story of a Royal Navy destroyer, the HMS Torrin, and its captain, played by Coward, as they navigate the treacherous waters of World War II. Through flashbacks and vignettes, the film explores the lives and perspectives of the ship's crew, their loved ones, and the civilian population impacted by the ongoing conflict. With its intimate character studies and sweeping, large-scale battle sequences, the film was praised for its nuanced portrayal of the human experience amidst the ravages of war. For Spielberg, who was born in 1946, just a year after the film's release, "In Which We Serve" was a formative cinematic experience. As a child, he was captivated by the film's emotional depth and technical prowess, traits that would go on to define his own acclaimed body of work. "I saw it as a young kid, and it just stuck with me," Spielberg recounted in a recent interview. "The way it balanced the personal stories of the crew with the larger-than-life heroics of naval warfare – it was a revelation." Indeed, the film's ability to seamlessly weave individual narratives into the broader tapestry of wartime history has become a hallmark of Spielberg's directorial approach. From the intimate family dynamics of "Saving Private Ryan" to the personal sacrifices depicted in "Schindler's List," the director has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of how the human experience can elevate and give meaning to grand historical events. This sensitivity to character and emotion, combined with a mastery of scale and spectacle, is a direct reflection of the lessons Spielberg gleaned from "In Which We Serve." The film's innovative use of flashbacks to explore the backstories of its ensemble cast, for instance, anticipated Spielberg's own experiments with non-linear storytelling in films like "Amistad" and "Munich." Moreover, the film's unflinching portrayal of the brutalities of war, and its ability to find moments of humanity amidst the chaos, foreshadowed Spielberg's own grappling with the ethical and moral complexities of conflict. "In Which We Serve" may have been made in the midst of World War II, but its themes of duty, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit have continued to resonate with Spielberg throughout his illustrious career. It's no wonder, then, that the director has remained a vocal champion of the film, using his platform to introduce it to new generations of cinephiles. In 2010, Spielberg curated a retrospective screening of "In Which We Serve" at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, introducing it as a "timeless masterpiece" and a "profound examination of the human cost of war." For Spielberg, the film's enduring legacy is not just a matter of personal nostalgia, but a testament to the power of cinema to capture the universal experiences that unite us, even in the darkest of times. As he prepares to unleash his latest sci-fi spectacle, Disclosure Day, the director's reverence for "In Which We Serve" serves as a poignant reminder of the cinematic influences that have shaped his own remarkable career. In a world where blockbuster entertainment often prioritizes scale and spectacle over nuanced character studies, Spielberg's lifelong appreciation for this "forgotten" war film stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the art of storytelling. And as audiences eagerly await his return to the realm of extraterrestrial intrigue, they would do well to revisit the film that first sparked the director's cinematic imagination – a timeless classic that continues to inspire and endure.