E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home world.

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writer:

Melissa Mathison

Stars:

Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote

Won 4 Oscars. Another 48 wins & 35 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dee Wallace	...	Mary
Henry Thomas	...	Elliott
Peter Coyote	...	Keys
Robert MacNaughton	...	Michael (as Robert Macnaughton)
Drew Barrymore	...	Gertie
K.C. Martel	...	Greg
Sean Frye	...	Steve
C. Thomas Howell	...	Tyler (as Tom Howell)
Erika Eleniak	...	Pretty Girl
David M. O'Dell	...	Schoolboy (as David O'Dell)
Richard Swingler	...	Science Teacher
Frank Toth	...	Policeman
Robert Barton	...	Ultra Sound Man
Michael Darrell	...	Van Man
David Berkson	...	Medical Unit (as David Berkson M.D.)

Storyline

After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott. Bringing the extraterrestrial into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces E.T., as the alien is dubbed, to his brother and his little sister, Gertie, and the children decide to keep its existence a secret. Soon, however, E.T. falls ill, resulting in government intervention and a dire situation for both Elliott and the alien.

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Plot Keywords:

friendly alien | empathy | bicycle | alien | boy | 

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Taglines:

He is afraid. He is alone. He is three million light years from home.

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Genres:

Family | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and mild thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 June 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Boy's Life

Filming Locations:

Capistrano Lane & Vista Grand Way, Porter Ranch, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,835,389, 13 June 1982, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$435,110,554

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$792,910,554, 31 December 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min 120 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dee Wallace, Drew Barrymore and Henry Thomas had all just starred in big thrillers right before this. Dee Wallace was in The Howling (1981), Drew Barrymore was in Altered States (1980) and Henry Thomas was in Raggedy Man (1981).

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Goofs

When Elliot burps in the classroom, his pencil disappears during several shots. The papers on his desk change position several times.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Steve: [reading dice] Five.
Michael: Oh, great.
Steve: So you got an arrow right in your chest.

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Crazy Credits

The Universal logo is run backwards in the original 1982 cut.

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Alternate Versions

In the original theatrical release of this film, in the scene where E.T. is drinking and getting Elliot drunk, Elliot used chalk and began drawing on thin air. This scene was later cut from video and subsequent theatrical releases, but is pictured in The E.T. Storybook.

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Connections

Referenced in How I Met Your Mother: Last Forever: Part One (2014)

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Soundtracks

People Who Died
Composed and Performed by Jim Carroll
Courtesy of Earl McGrath Music

User Reviews

I should be in the nines!

Firstly, I cant believe that poor old E.T. isn't getting a better showing in the rankings than the high sevens - its a beautiful gem of a film and deserves to be at least a high eight.

Anyway, this is one of those films made by Spielberg that helps to cement his status as the premiere fairy tale teller of all (film) time.

The simple premise that not all aliens want to rip out our spines of lay chest bursters inside us a kill all our friends is a concept that has not been returned to since (apart from the dismal Cocoon).

This is probably because nobody will ever be able to recreate the intense emotional journey that Spielberg has portrayed. THe heart wrenching scenes between Elliot and E.T. at the end of the film will go to prove the exqisitely realised genuinity of the love and friendship that develops and actually exists (I mean that Henry Thomas - ELiiot - came to love the puppet as if he were real) is what makes everything in life worth it.

Full of warm moments, clever touches and humour, E.T. is an absolutely essential watch for all fim fans.

Timeless. 9/10