Steven Spielberg’s resume is studded with box-office blockbusters and iconic award winners.

But the guy behind classics like Jaws , E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Saving Private Ryan cut his teeth on a made-for-TV movie, albeit one that’s now considered a cult classic.

Spielberg made his feature film debut with Duel , which premiered Nov. 13, 1971, as the ABC Movie of the Week .

Duel starred Dennis Weaver as David Mann, a meek businessman who gets into a deadly chase through rural California with an unseen driver of a massive tanker truck.

A poster for the Universal Pictures film ‘Duel’, featuring Dennis Weaver. Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images

The film was based on a short story written by Richard Matheson. He was inspired when he was cut off by a trucker while driving on a California freeway. The incident occurred on Nov. 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, according to Amblin Entertainment’s website .

Playboy published the story in April 1971.…