Contact (1997)

Dr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of extraterrestrial intelligence, sending plans for a mysterious machine.

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers:

James V. Hart (screenplay by), Michael Goldenberg (screenplay by)

Stars:

Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 14 wins & 29 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jena Malone	...	Young Ellie
David Morse	...	Ted Arroway
Jodie Foster	...	Eleanor Arroway
Geoffrey Blake	...	Fisher
William Fichtner	...	Kent
Sami Chester	...	Vernon (as SaMi Chester)
Timothy McNeil	...	Davio
Laura Elena Surillo	...	Cantina Woman
Matthew McConaughey	...	Palmer Joss
Tom Skerritt	...	David Drumlin
Henry Strozier	...	Minister
Max Martini	...	Willie (as Maximilian Martini)
Larry King	...	Larry King
Thomas Garner	...	Ian Broderick
Conroy Chino	...	KOB-TV Reporter

Storyline

Astronomer Dr. Ellie Arroway has long been interested in contact to faraway lands, a love fostered in her childhood by her father, Ted Arroway, who passed away when she was nine years old leaving her then orphaned. Her current work in monitoring for extraterrestrial life is based on that love and is in part an homage to her father. Ever since funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) was pulled on her work, which is referred to some, including her NSF superior David Drumlin, as more science fiction than science, Ellie, with a few of her rogue scientist colleagues, have looked for funding from where ever they could get it to continue their work. When Ellie and her colleagues hear chatter originating from the vicinity of the star Vega, Ellie feels vindicated. But that vindication is short lived when others, including politicians, the military, religious leaders and other scientists such as Drumlin, try to take over her work. When the messages received from space are decoded, ...

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Plot Keywords:

message from outer space | religion versus science | wormhole | first contact | nasa | 

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Taglines:

A message from deep space. Who will be the first to go? A journey to the heart of the universe.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some intense action, mild language and a scene of sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish German Russian

Release Date:

11 July 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Contact

Filming Locations:

Mojave Desert, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,584,908, 13 July 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$100,920,329

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$171,120,329

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., South Side Amusement Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the beginning of the movie, various television and radio transmissions can be heard coming from Earth into outer space. As the camera moves away from Earth, these transmissions become older (the first transmissions made, would be further out into space). Among the transmissions heard are (in order to closest to farthest): - Third Eye Blind - Semi - Charmed Life (1997) - Spice Girls - Wannabe (1997) - Crash Test Dummies - God Shuffled His Feet (1993) - Lagwagon - Angry Days (1992) - Mr. Mister - Broken Wings (1985) - Lipps Inc. - Funkytown (1979) - A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie (1978) - Theme from Dallas (1978) - The Tramps - Disco Inferno (1976) - Neil Armstrong's iconic "One small step for a man" (1969) - Robert Kennedy shot in hotel (1968) - Martin Luther King's speech "I have a dream" (1963) - President Kennedy shot in Dallas (1963) - Theme from The Twilight Zone (1959) - Domenico Modugno - Volare (1958) - Theme from The Lone Ranger (1949) - President Roosevelt's speech "A date which will live in infamy" (1941) - Hitler's speech in the Berlin Olympic Games' opening (1936, almost unrecognizable)

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Goofs

Every scene outside supposedly NASA facilities repeatedly mentioned as being in Florida show the California state flag flying below the US Flag. The official state flag of Florida contains a red-bar cross with the Florida state seal in the middle. The state flag of California shows a bear in the middle with a red bar at the bottom. The two flags could not be more different. The Florida state flag should be flying in those scenes, not California.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Young Ellie: CQ, this is W9GFO. CQ, this is W9GFO here. Come back?

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Crazy Credits

"For Carl"

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Connections

Referenced in Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - The Voyage Continues (2014)

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Soundtracks

Dallas
(uncredited)
Written by Jerrold Immel
Played briefly during the opening sequence

User Reviews

the 2001 for the nineties

Brilliant movie. Contact is based on the breathtaking novel written by the late Carl Sagan. It stars Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, a girl obsessed by what's out there. She intercepts an alien message, after which a mission is set up to go and meet the extra-terrestrials. But make no mistake, this is no Star Trek. This is a very pensive, intelligent movie that is times heartbreakingly sad. It is the 2001 for the nineties, since that movie was obviously somewhat of an inspiration. The ending may disappoint somewhat at first view, but actually turns out to be quite haunting if you give it a chance. Enjoy wonderful acting, great direction and amazing special effects. Read the book first though. You won't regret it.