Supermallet

Two heavyweights who first came to prominence in the 1970's. Francis Ford Coppola's career highlights were in the earlier part of his career, whereas Spielberg seems to get better with age.

Discuss!

Supermallet

Francis Ford Coppola's filmography from IMDB:
Tetro (2009)
Youth Without Youth (2007)
Supernova (2000/I) (uncredited)

The Rainmaker (1997)
... aka "John Grisham's The Rainmaker" - USA (complete title)
Jack (1996)
Dracula (1992)
... aka "Bram Stoker's Dracula" - USA (complete title)
The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) (V)
Making 'Bram Stoker's Dracula' (1992) (TV)
The Godfather: Part III (1990)
... aka "Mario Puzo's The Godfather: Part III" - USA (complete title)
... aka "Godfather Part III" - Japan (English title)

New York Stories (1989) (segment "Life without Zoe") (as Francis Coppola)
Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
Gardens of Stone (1987) (as Francis Coppola)
"Faerie Tale Theatre" (1 episode, 1987)
... aka "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre" - USA (alternative title)
- Rip Van Winkle (1987) TV episode
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) (as Francis Coppola)
Captain EO (1986)
The Cotton Club (1984) (as Francis Coppola)
Rumble Fish (1983)
The Outsiders (1983) (as Francis Coppola)
... aka "The Outsiders: The Complete Novel" - USA (director's cut)
One from the Heart (1982) (as Francis Coppola)

Apocalypse Now (1979) (as Francis Coppola)
... aka "Apocalypse Now Redux" - International (English title) (longer version)
"The Godfather: A Novel for Television" (4 episodes, 1977)
... aka "Mario Puzo's The Godfather: A Novel for Television" - USA (complete title)
... aka "The Godfather 1902-1959: The Complete Epic" - USA (video title)
... aka "The Godfather Novella" - USA (alternative title)
... aka "The Godfather Saga" - USA (alternative title)
... aka "The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television" - USA (alternative title)
- Episode #1.4 (1977) TV episode
- Episode #1.3 (1977) TV episode
- Episode #1.2 (1977) TV episode
- Episode #1.1 (1977) TV episode
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
... aka "Mario Puzo's The Godfather: Part II" - USA (complete title)
... aka "Godfather Part II" - Japan (English title)
The Conversation (1974)
The Godfather (1972)
... aka "Mario Puzo's The Godfather" - USA (complete title)
... aka "Godfather" - Japan (English title)

The Rain People (1969)
Finian's Rainbow (1968)
You're a Big Boy Now (1966)
Dementia 13 (1963) (as Francis Coppola)
The Terror (1963) (uncredited)
... aka "Roger Corman's The Terror" - USA (uncensored intended title)
... aka "Roger Corman's The Terror: Original Uncut Version" - USA (alternative title)
... aka "The Haunting" - USA (TV title)
Tonight for Sure (1962)
... aka "Meet Me Tonight for Sure" - USA (bowdlerized title)
The Bellboy and the Playgirls (1962)
Battle Beyond the Sun (1960) (as Thomas Colchart) (re-edited version with new footage)
... aka "Nebo zovyot" - Soviet Union (original title)


Steven Spielberg's filmography from IMDB:
A Timeless Call (2008)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Munich (2005)
War of the Worlds (2005)
The Terminal (2004)
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Minority Report (2002)
Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)
... aka "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" - USA (poster title)

The Unfinished Journey (1999)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
... aka "Private Ryan" - Japan (English title)
Amistad (1997)
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Steven Spielberg's Director's Chair (1996) (VG)
Schindler's List (1993)
Jurassic Park (1993)
... aka "JP" - USA (promotional abbreviation)
Hook (1991)
The Visionary (1990) (V) (segment "Par for the Course")

Always (1989)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Empire of the Sun (1987)
The Color Purple (1985)
"Amazing Stories" (2 episodes, 1985)
... aka "Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories" - USA (complete title)
- The Mission (1985) TV episode
- Ghost Train (1985) TV episode
"Strokes of Genius" (1984) TV mini-series (introductory segments) (uncredited)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) (segment 2)
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
... aka "E.T." - USA (short title)
... aka "E.T. the Extra- Terrestrial: The 20th Anniversary" - USA (longer version)
... aka "E.T." - Japan (English title)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
... aka "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" - South Africa (English title) (DVD box title), USA (video title)

1941 (1979)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
... aka "CE3K" - USA (informal short title)
... aka "The Special Edition: Close Encounters of the Third Kind" - USA (reissue title)
Jaws (1975)
The Sugarland Express (1974)
Savage (1973) (TV)
... aka "The Savage File" - USA (alternative title)
Something Evil (1972) (TV)
Duel (1971) (TV)
"Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law" (1 episode, 1971)
- Eulogy for a Wide Receiver (1971) TV episode
"Columbo" (1 episode, 1971)
- Murder by the Book (1971) TV episode
"The Psychiatrist" (2 episodes, 1971)
- Par for the Course (1971) TV episode
- The Private World of Martin Dalton (1971) TV episode
"The Name of the Game" (1 episode, 1971)
- LA 2017 (1971) TV episode
"Night Gallery" (2 episodes, 1969-1971)
... aka "Rod Serling's Night Gallery" - USA (alternative title)
- Make Me Laugh/Clean Kills and Other Trophies (1971) TV episode (segment "Make Me Laugh")
- Night Gallery (1969) TV episode (segment "Eyes")
"Marcus Welby, M.D." (1 episode, 1970)
... aka "Robert Young, Family Doctor" - USA (new syndication title)
- The Daredevil Gesture (1970) TV episode

Amblin' (1968)
Slipstream (1967) (unfinished)
Firelight (1964)
Escape to Nowhere (1961)
Fighter Squad (1961)
The Last Gun (1959)

Mountain Biker

Never been a fan of Coppola's work outside of The Outsiders and Apocalypse Now...

Spielberg all the way.

OldBoy

i don't think Spielberg has anything as epic, thought provoking and rewatchable like Coppola's The Godfather I & II, Apocalypse Now. Plus, i love The Outsiders, The Conversation, Rumble Fish is striking and The Rainmaker was a delightful surprise, among a few others. Spielberg has more entertaining and popcorn related fare (save for Schindler's List, maybe SPR as well) and great in their own right certainly, but GF and AN rank on my top lists so...

Dr. Mantle

I went with Coppola.

While Spielberg has more movies that I actually enjoy, even his highest highs (Duel, SPR, Minority Report) can't compare to the best of Coppola (GF I + II, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now).

The Antipodean

Coppola's '70s peak is hard to beat, but man, since Apocalypse he hasn't done much that I rate. While Spielberg is hit or miss his 'hits' of the past 10 years -- Munich, Catch Me, Minority Report and what I think the hugely underrated A.I. -- show he's still going strong rather than a burned-out wine maker.

Fist of Doom

And I think Coppola should get credit for Tucker and The Rainmaker. Not masterpieces, but two really good movies with nice performances.

Hokeyboy

Spielberg has nothing that touches GODFATHER I & II or APOCALYPSE NOW. His best (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK) however barely edges out THE CONVERSATION.

Coppola, on the other hand, hasn't had a great movie in 31 years. Spielberg has had several: Raiders, Schindler's, and Munich are top notch movies. I also can't deny the quality of Close Encounters, E.T. (although it's still IMO overrated), Temple of Doom, Last Crusade, Jurassic, Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report, or Catch Me If You Can.

Coppola has higher highs than Spielberg. Spielberg has more consistently good movies. Spielberg takes it, but this wasn't easy. That wasn't easy one damn bit. Damn you Ceiling Cat.

Supermallet

I haven't made the decision yet myself, but I do want to mention how vastly underrated One From The Heart is. A really interesting movie with great songs from Tom Waits and fun performances from Teri Garr, Raul Julia, and Nastassja Kinski. I also have to throw out some love for Dracula. While not perfect, it's visually stunning and never boring.

And I do think out of the two combined filmographies, Apocalypse Now is the best film among them.

Trevor

The Godfather I & II, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation are amazing films, but Jaws is right up there with them imo.

Speilberg's overall career has more decent to very good films. Even if I admit Coppola's four mentioned above are better, I won't watch them nearly as often as things like Raiders and Minority Report and Close Encounters.

Cardsfan111

I'm voting Spielberg based on his hand in some of my all-time favorites.

Hokeyboy

"One For The Heart" isn't a bad movie at all, but it's certainly a strange one.

Coppola's 80s output is just all over the place, but not without its charms. I really liked "The Cotton Club" and "Tucker"; it's too bad they're lumped with the stigma of not being on the level of the Godfathers, Apoc Now, etc.

It's like when people piss on "King of Comedy" or "After Hours" because both films had the temerity to NOT be "Taxi Driver" or "Raging Bull".

notkevinbacon

Spielberg for me.

It doesn't need to be said, but Coppola has, of course, made some great films, but Spielberg is a director who is one of the most popular and influential directors of our time (one day likely, of all time). He has managed to put forth solid efforts throughout his career and even when he's "phoning it in" his films are still rarely a complete mess.

Spielberg has put his stamp and influence upon so many cherished films to the point where his style has transcended his own work. I've often heard movies described as "Spielbergian" (or other made up words referring to his filmic tone and sensibilities).

For the people who think his movies are too childish or light hearted, I just have to disagree. His films cover a large spectrum and while a lot do tend to feel less "heavy," he has managed to create works such as Munich which is anything but a safe, friendly film. He's also responsible for my favorite film of all time, Jaws.

I believe that he is truly an elite director and understands the language of cinema as much as any of the other greats. He deserves his accolades and awards, IMHO, they are well earned. I will look forward to his work for as long as he's creating it.

kd5

Coppola had Apocalypse Now, the Godfather films never really appealed to me, nothing else of his rates high enough on my all time favorites chart, while Spielberg has so many movies I truly enjoy that this poll was really very easy for me. -kd5-

Supermallet

Ultimately I decided to go for Francis Ford Coppola. Obviously his run of films from The Godfather through Apocalypse Now is legendary, but as been pointed out by myself and others, his 80's and 90's output is not bad either, simply not on the level of his 70's work. But more than that, Coppola has never been afraid to push himself and try new things, even if they fail.

Spielberg, of course, is the world's most famous living film director, but I find his overall filmography to be much less exciting, and he's far less of a risk taker. He's a highly skilled director, but too often tries to dictate how the audience should feel instead of letting them feel it for themselves (E.T. is the most guilty of this; I cannot watch the film anymore for all the strings Spielberg is trying to pull). His best films, Jaws, Raiders, Jurassic Park, and Minority Report, are some of my favorites, and also happen to all be in the action/adventure/suspense vein. As a dramatic director, I think he's only blossomed recently, with the disarming Catch Me If You Can (I have yet to see Munich but hear good things).

When all is said and done, I chose Coppola because good or bad, I always find his stuff interesting. I can't say that for Spielberg. Oh, and Apocalypse Now.

Mr. Cinema

Spielberg

inri222

FFC for :

The Godfather
The Godfather II
The Conversation
Apocalypse Now
Rumble Fish (IMO it is his 5th best film)

PopcornTreeCt

Coppola

While Coppola lacks an overall quality of body of work that Spielberg has compiled in his career, the man did The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. That is enough for me to give him the edge.

I disagree with the statement that Spielberg seems to get better with age. I think Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is proof.

CloverClover

Spielberg and not even close. Most every movie he touched for 30 years has become iconic. Got a golden eye for entertainment and artistry. Like Hitchcock
Or Kurosawa

Has some junk in the filmography but is a proven master. Coppolas 70s stuff is good but even his daughter is better than him

rexinnih

Coppola.

Supermallet

Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can, reportedly Munich is good.

Dragon Tattoo

"Even"? What the hell? Sofia Coppola is a damn good director in her own right. What's the "Even" for?

gmanca

I enjoyed the film and I agree, the periphery is great, IMO more so than the central characters which I think were miscast. Didn't have an urge to buy the dvd after I rented it but I went straight for the soundtrack. Simply great stuff.

Have to go with Coppola, I don't like all of his films but I find that the ones I do like aren't filled with things that make me roll my eyes like Spielberg can do, War of the Worlds as a major example of that.

Supermallet

I find it funny that you say he is a proven master while Coppola's 70's stuff is just good.

And yeah, every movie is iconic. Like Always, Amistad, 1941, the "Kick the Can" segment of The Twilight Zone movie, Hook, The Terminal, Crystal Skull. Iconic!

PopcornTreeCt

I see your point but I don't think he's getting better. War of the Worlds and the Terminal both came out after Minority Report and Catch Me If You Can... so at best I would say he's hit or miss.