Jaws was the first movie that I stood in line to see on opening day. My sister and I were the 3rd and 4th people in line for the first showing in our town.

My inclination is to say Jurassic Park because of the advancement in special effects, but I'll wait until some people who know more about movies weigh in before I vote.

Raiders. One of the most nearly perfect films of all time.

Jaws.

I wanted to add something along the lines of, "Made John Williams a household name," but couldn't think of a way to work it in.

"Legacy" is different from "film" or "movie".

For me, probably "Jaws" or "ET" set Spielberg's personal legacy as a filmmaker, establishing many of his characteristic tropes, and trendsetting the summer movie blockbuster (Jaws) or the family friendly blockbuster (ET).

His best "film" is a toss up for me between "Schindler's List", "Catch Me if You Can", and "Munich".

His best "movie" is "Raiders of the Lost Ark" because of what Jay said.

Yeah, I didn't really see this as "best movie", but more like his greatest and/or most influential achievement in film.

The guy has had so many high points in a stellar career, it's almost hard to pick but you may as well pick Jaws since it was his first blockbuster. I've got the utmost respect for the guy regarding the diversity and skill he's got. Jaws, ET, Minority Report, War of the world's Schindler's list, etc., etc., etc., amazing.

His greatest legacy will be that you can still purchase Jaws on DVD without the shark being replaced by an updated CGI version.

That what I am going for, more or less. Notice, I also included things Spielberg produced (Animaniacs , Back to the Future) vs. merely directed and I even included some legacy ideas parenthetically.

Raiders of the Lost Ark.

This is too tough for me to call. I love most of the movies on that list for different reasons. I love the memory of being twelve and seeing E.T., but I also loved Raiders when it came out.

The kid me would vote for Raiders of the Lost Ark, I know that much. The adult me wants to vote for Close Encounters, though. I'm hypnotized by that movie for some reason. It's like an art film or something, but with a plot and actual characters. And aliens. That part at the end of the movie is amazing to me.

I can't decide.

Will Eisner used the beginning of ET as a perfect example of great storytelling.

I think in the end he will be best known for the Indiana Jones series so I voted Raiders.

I voted for Raiders, and I stand by that vote. But on factor that craps it up as a "Spielberg Legacy" is the Lucas taint.

It's great despite any "taint."

Schindler's List.

If he would edit out the really corny, over-the-top speech that Oscar Schindler gives in the factory before his departure at the end, it would be the greatest movie of all time. As it stands, it is still in the top ten.

Few movies have had such an emotional effect on me. I was crying so hard at the end, I was embarrassed to leave the theater and waited til everyone else left.

Schindler's List is a great movie and he finally won his Oscar with it. But, I don't think it will define Spielberg's legacy. Jaws ushered in the summer blockbuster, it was Spielberg's second movie and launched his career, AND it brought Williams' soundtrack stylings to the forefront of movies. Therefore, I voted for it.

Agree on Jaws as his greatest legacy as far as pop culture movies go but I fear the media will name Schindler's List as his greatest achievment. No doubt a good and important film but when was the last time you dug that one out of the collection?

Jaws was the begiining of the Summer blockbuster and its still one of the scariest films yoy can ever see.....just try and go into an ocean without thinking shark! even the bay.

Go to 13:00 and listen to Pauline Kael be incredibly wrong.

What ever happened to girlfriend Kathleen Carey? I thought it was Meg Ryan at first.

yep, Pauline Kael must have had a stroke. While Raiders is not my favorite Steve movie, it is a fantastic film and park ride.