Schindler’s List is one of the greatest World War II movies ever made, there is no doubt about that and it is also one of the biggest achievements of Steven Spielberg. However, the road to the masterpiece was not easy rather it had far too many bumpy turns to test the patience of the filmmaker.
But laughter is the ultimate aid in a time of such crisis and horrendous pressure. Robin Williams, who had been a good friend of Spielberg, came in for the rescue of the director, at least for some solace and peace of mind to get him going.
Steven Spielberg Resorted to Robin Williams’ Comedy For Solace
Robin Williams always had this aura that prompted people to take a break and have a laugh at the moment. When Steven Spielberg was distressed by all the pressure and constant and long-lasted disagreement with the studio regarding the creative decisions of Schindler’s List, he ultimately resorted to the comedy of Williams. “Robin knew what I was going through,” Spielberg recalled (via Collider)
“And once a week, Robin would call me on schedule and he would do 15 minutes of stand-up on the phone, and I would laugh hysterically, because I had to release so much,” the director said.
However, the Jumanji actor surprised the director by hanging up the phone without saying goodbye. Spielberg and the late actor had developed a friendship after collaborating together in the 1991 fantasy adventure movie Hook. Williams came in to rescue the director as he needed all the support from his friends and Williams made him laugh out loud. Spielberg’s recollection of those beautiful memories is marked as the signifier of the great friendship that the duo once shared. Further, the director also watched several episodes of Saturday Night Live to keep him on track.
Robin Williams once Interrupted Steven Spielberg’s Interview
While speaking with Jimmy Carter on his show about Spielberg’s movie with Williams, the comedian-turned-actor interrupted the interview making it less serious for everyone. The director was explaining the movie and the character and how he perceives his movies. Williams appeared from the back and changed the track of the interview altogether. “This is the other problem in making the movie. How hard it was laughing, yeah we had it. If the laughing hurt, the laughing hurt in the sides in the throat,” Spielberg said.
“This is what happens, every day in the movie. When, I don’t mind if Robin hears this. When Robin was playing Peter Banning, who’s the guy with no imagination uptight you know, workaholic, you know, very focused on his work very little peripheral vision toward his family. He was at his funniest between shots because he was the least comfortable playing that character when he began to evolve into the pan then he he was able to express it more through the character and less in between the shots I thought, really interesting about Robin.”
Williams’ persona was unique and he possessed the ability to make people laugh and enjoy the moment. The actor passed away in 2014 and it broke Hollywood to tears. But still, his works are a constant reminder of the legacy he created.
Also read: “There was a ban on…”: Absurd Rule Why Robin Williams Couldn’t Play an Iconic Role in Harry Potter
Source: Collider, Jimmy Carter.
