This, by far, is my favorite Steven Spielberg movie and is absolutely one of my favorite films out of the entire history of cinema.  This is one that could be enjoyed even by those who hate science fiction films.  The plot is amazing and, in my opinion, this film needs to be regarded as the standard setting sci-fi film of the 70's, just as 2001: A Space Odyssey was in the 60's.  Also, the acting was just astounding, especially on the part of Richard Dreyfus.