Steven Spielberg cited the 1962 John Wayne film *Hatari!* as the main inspiration for *Jurassic Park*, calling it the “high watermark” for depicting humans confronting nature. The connection helps explain why Spielberg’s blockbuster emphasises visual spectacle and adventure, despite the darker, more horror-focused elements of Michael Crichton’s novel.

In *The Making of Jurassic Park*, Spielberg also named *Jaws*, *Raiders of the Lost Ark* and nature documentaries as reference points. He admired *Hatari!* for its ambitious portrayal of people and animals, and the article says that approach can be seen in the way *Jurassic Park* frames human encounters with dinosaurs.