| | | | E.T.
(1982) |
his phenomenal film landed in 1982 and made such an impact that it would come to be known as the dominating film of the eighties. The image of the Elliot on the bike with ET sitting on the handlebars is immediately recognisable as a symbol of the blockbuster, the success of Steven Spielberg and the emblem of his company Amblin Productions.
In the UK ET has recently been brought back to people's minds (if not ruined) as a result of a most grotesque, super expensive and dream-snatching series of TV commercials for British Telecom (BT).
But if we set all the baggage aside and return to the film itself, we cannot help to be overwhelmed again by its atmosphere of innocence and wonder.
From the moment that strange long finger pulls back the ferns to view the new world, every inner child leaps up and down in awe and delight we are drawn back to a time of believing. No film after that has that same purity and naivety. Seemingly, the children of today are cynical and jaded, they've seen it all before and don't buy the innocence. Hollywood churns out an endless series of films aimed at the teenybopper audience with cute little actors and actresses trying to follow Drew Barrymore's footsteps, but ultimately they fail because the kids don't act like kids, they act like stars, and normal children can't relate to them.
A good part of the magic of ET is in the characters, the everyday, regular suburban kids the story is set around. Elliot, Gertie and Michael could be have been your friends, they could have eaten pizza with you, and played space invaders at your house. They were unashamedly full of the passions of most American suburban kids in the 80's and the film related to the new modern problems they faced such as the increasing problems of family break-up.
Because it was set in this domestic, conventional environment that everyone was familiar with, the alien became easy to believe in, in this dream world of suburbia and ET becomes almost a regular kid. Much of what touches us about ET is the little hurdles he comes up against trying to adjust to his new life, we can empathise with him because we've all moved to a new town and new school, He's just like the new kid in class.
ET is the 80s parallel to Peter Pan and Steven Spielberg alludes to this when Mom is reading a bedtime story to Gertie, if you believe in fairies, clap your hands. This fairytale is clearly for kids and to be included in it you must watch it as a child.
Elliot: you cant tell anyone not even Mom
Gertie: Why not?
Elliot: Cos grown ups cant see him, only kids can see him.
Steven Spielberg: "I didn't pretend that ET was anything other than a kids movie, about kids, for kids, of kids, I was still a kid then. I still am."
From the outset, the film is shot from a low angle, knee- height or kid height and ET height. This draws us in to a kids mindset and point of view, and makes it easier for us to identify with ET We see ET landing in the woods, symbolic in America, woods are hiding places, magical places, the last untamed areas in built up suburbia.
ET waddles like a geriatric bear-monkey towards Elliot's house. The way he looks is a hugely important factor in the way we perceive him. There is nothing threatening about ET He is awkward, wrinkly, wizard, plump and the perfect shape for kids to hug. Steven Spielberg wanted E.T.'s eyes to resemble Einstein's, wizard-like, frivolous, old and sad. He is like a mini-alien-Buddha come to learn and heal and spread fuzzy glows all around.
ET hides at first in Elliot's garden shed. Elliot is of course the first to see him and the first to believe. After the initial shock of seeing an alien in the garden shed Elliot is full of wonder and takes in this strange little creature. For Elliot, ET is like an imaginary friend come true. In Elliot's discovery of ET and throughout the film the viewer is encouraged to join in celebrating the joyous hope in the unknown and uncharted. Elliot takes ET back to the house and tries to hide him in his bedroom, but of course Gertie bumps into him and naturally screams, ET captures our smiles by screaming back --of course the little Drew Barrymore is just as scary to him. But small kids are used to being confronted with new things and ideas and she soon adopts ET as Elliot had.
ET belongs in a kids world and kids imagination, so he has to stay out of the way of grown-ups, and Mom. As with most imaginary friends ET has to be hidden in the closet with the dolls and toys. He becomes a cosmic clown, sad eyes peeking from a mountain of teddy bears and dolls, made over by Gertie and dressed as a girl. So in this haphazard way, ET slowly stumbles into 80's life, he stays at home while Elliot goes to school, absorbing this modern culture cable TV and talk shows, he sits on the couch and even gets drunk.
Then unfolds the most surreal and symbolically personal scene to Steven Spielberg. It becomes apparent that ET is connected emotionally with Elliot, not only can he heal things like flowers by touching them with his magic, glowing, red, bony finger, but he can bond and create an empathy, telepathically with Elliot. ET gets drunk and so does Elliot at school.
ET watches a golden-oldie kiss on TV and all havoc ensues in Elliot's class, a mysterious force is controlling him. Elliot is meant to be dissecting frogs but overcome by the ET Buddha, he sets them all free, and in a funny, strange, cringing moment grabs a little blond girl in class and kisses her, just as in the cheesy film ET is watching. The scene was based on Steven Spielberg's own experience as a child: "when I was a kid I let all the frogs go in the science class, I was supposed to be dissecting them, about five of them got away so what the heck! I put them in the movie."
Ultimately, despite suburban bliss, ET gets lonely and wants to go home. He tries to communicate with his folks by making an umbrella-satellite. We see him struggle to explain his wish to Elliot, ET
"Phone home" --this has probably become the worst line of the film since it spawned the soul-destroying cast off BT advert. Elliot agrees to take ET back to the woods to try and signal his family. They are heartbreakingly unsuccessful and the result is ET's downfall, in exposing himself and venturing outside he becomes more ill and vulnerable. Elliot has no choice but to hand him over to the grown ups. He even lets his mom see ET
The film becomes sinister when the kids lose control and the grown ups take over. Faceless scientists have become aware of the strange creature in Elliot's house and have been watching. They see ET is helpless and move in. Elliot's mom is helpless to stop them taking ET The scientists overrun the family home with equipment and experiments, they put protective covering over everything, they are dressed in ridiculously cautious protective suits, which resemble space suits. The scientists look like astronauts, they look like they are exploring the moon. They are far more threatening than little fat ET or any alien could ever be. Steven Spielberg seems to be challenging our perceptions of what human qualities are, at this point ET has made a human bond with the viewer, he demonstrates empathy and sensitivity, both of which are lacking in the scientists, it is ET who has gained the most emotional response from the viewer. The whole episode lingers in the viewers mind and Steven Spielberg seems to be suggesting that man as scientist, explorer and astronaut causes damage and exploitation, by imposing rational explanations on the supernatural, man has failed to understand what he has discovered and in doing so may have become less human.
The viewer is incensed by the inhumane way ET is treated when he is close to death, to the scientists he is nothing more than a precious guinea pig, he must be kept alive because he represents their scientific discovery and could lead to more discoveries, this is in direct opposition with Elliot's attempt to keep his friend alive. The set tearjerker moment comes about as ET is dying next to Elliot, both still connected telepathically. Elliot is recovering as a direct result of ET deteriorating, the ironic knife in the back, Elliot loosing his friend because he is sapping away ET's lifeblood. Many children howl as they see the flower that ET revived at the beginning, slowly wither and die.
But, this flower becomes the message of hope when everyone except Elliot has given up on ET Just as they are about to take away ET's lifeless body we see the flower suddenly rejuvenate itself. The famous red glow illuminates ET's space style coffin. Elliot sees this and is careful to pretend nothing is amiss as the scientists are still hovering around. He pretends ET is still dead, crying hysterically, the over the top melodramatic humour of this moment signals an upturn of atmosphere, ET is back on track.
As in all the best kids movies, the kids hatch a fabulous plan to outwit the grown ups. Elliot and Michael decide to hijack the van which is ready to take ET away. Michael's character shines through at this point, as he once sceptical now joins forces with Elliot as driver; he is no longer the jock, bully brother but an ally to the cause.
The action jolts up a pace with a fast paced car chase complete with bad driving shenanigans. Elliot's mom now joins forces with the kids, she is similar to a kid herself in her attempt to keep the whole thing secret from the scientists made difficult by a loudmouthed Gertie.
The bike chase is perhaps the most memorable scene and definitely the climax of ET, one of the most inspiring for children. The sight of scientists, government officials and cops in high-powered cars being made helpless by a bunch of street-urchins on BMXs is endearing and uplifting.
The gang speed off on a huge chase all over town, BMX tricks aplenty. This chase is what every kid wanted to do on their precious BMX, definitely a pure 80s moment.
The cops in close pursuit, the kids whiz towards the woods, the cops close in a roadblock looms in front of them - is it all over? We watch on the edge of the sofa, then this suburban dream becomes complete ET uses his magical powers to send all the bikes zooming up into the air, once again like the modern Peter Pan, he seems to be saying dreams come true if you believe in them hard enough. The silhouette of ET in flying bike pose against the moon is a haunting, whimsical and ultimately magical image. ET is a film that successfully brings magic to suburbia; anything is possible if you believe, even in dullsville, Middletown America.The BMX gang escape the amazed grown-ups, it is time for ET to return to his homeland.
As ET says goodbye the viewer feels as Elliot feels, we are losing a friend, but both Elliot and whoever watches the film has gained a magic and wonder of space and dreams of adventure that will remain in the mind long after the film is over. The music sours and takes the goodbye to an emotional crescendo. The viewer says goodbye with renewed wonder in the world and ET vanishes into the great wide blue yonder.
 Don't forget that E.T. is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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The ultimate feel-good movie of the 80s. This is the 'kids movie' that touched even the crustiest of cynics. To watch this movie now is to be transported through a misty-eyed glow, back to a happy, hopeful world of innocence and faith in the future. You can only wonder where this place called childhood has gone. Laughter, cringing, tears and exhilarating adventures on the great BMX's -- who could dare to ask for more?
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The movie is the distillation of Spielberg's decade of loneliness in adolescence. Ten-year-old Elliot, living with his divorced mother, older brother and younger sister in an upstate Californian town reflects the teenage Spielberg in Scottsdale.  -Thanks to Steven Spielberg: The Unauthorised Biography, John Baxter. Pg 229
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Spielberg spent $100,000 to digitally remove the guns in the government agents' hands and replaced them with walkie talkies in preparation for the 2002 20th Anniversary re-release of the film. He also added the following scenes that were scrapped from the original in the 2002 re-release to make the day longer that Elliott spends with E.T. when he plays hookie. This way, they can get better acquainted: 1.) Elliott and E.T. standing in front of the bathroom mirror, comparing their height. E.T. extends his neck so that he is as tall as Elliot. 2.) Elliott weighs E.T. on the scale. 3.) Elliott showing E.T. what a bathtub looks like and how it works while E.T. is preoccupied, fiddling with the toiletries near the bathroom sink. 4.) E.T. messing around in the bathtub and scaring Elliott at first because he's not sure if E.T. can swim. -Thanks to Stephanie
Henry Thomas's (Elliot) first movie was "Raggedy Man" with Sissy Spacek in 1981. -Thanks to Greg
As of 2007, Kuwahara bikes are currently in production again! -Thanks to Malcolm
In the scene where Elliot and E.T. are hospitalized in the house, Steven Spielberg makes a small appearence as one of the doctors. -Thanks to Mallory
One of Elliot's brother's friends is played by C. Thomas Howell, star of 80s classics like "The Outsiders" and "Secret Admirer". -Thanks to Jillian Ronsonet
C. Thomas Howell also starred in 'Soul Man'.
KC Martel who played Greg also starred in 'Growing Pains' as one of Mike's (Kirk Cameron) friends, Eddie. -Thanks to AJ
The little blonde girl that Elliot kisses in class was played by Erika Eleniak who later starred in "Bay Watch".
Elliot's brother in the movie, Michael (Robert MacNaughton) now works happily for US mail. I recently discovered this when I saw an interview with him in a '20 years on documentary', celebrating the release of Special Edition in 2002. -Thanks to Mamoon Latif
Background: In April (1982), NASA, alert to the importance of mythology in the space effort, invited Spielberg and Lucas to watch the space shuttle lift-off at Cape Canaveral. -Thanks to Steven Spielberg: The Unauthorised Biography, John Baxter. Pg 222
ET and a few friends also appear in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Immediately after the scene at the Senate when Queen Amidala calls for a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Valorum, you can see a delegation of ETs at the bottom right of the screen waving their long fingers as the assembly descends into chaos. This scene seems to "link" both ET and Star Wars, creating a plausible explanation as to why ET approaches the kid in a Halloween Yoda costume crying "phone home! phone home!" - he recognised someone familiar! -Thanks to Byron And Lauren
In the scene with the Halloween party, one of the children is dressed as Yoda from Empire Strikes Back, he catches ETs eye and John Williams Yoda theme can be heard in the background.
The movie was originally entitled "A Boys Life", "Night Skies", then "ET and Me".
E.T's face was modelled after poet Carl Sandburg and Albert Einstein.
E.T is 900 years old.
E.T. weighs 35 pounds. -Thanks to Greg
Spielberg produced Poltergeist at the same time as ET.
E.T. was the first film produced by Steven Spielberg's company Amblin Entertainment. As a matter of fact, the scene where E.T. and Elliot fly in front of the moon on the bike is the same as used in the Amblin Entertainment logo. -Thanks to David Jones
Steven Spielberg held a personal screening for Ronald and Nancy Reagan at The White House.
This is indeed correct, the bikes are very collectable and I still have one of them, mine since 1983. -Thanks to Steve
The car Elliot's mom drove was an Audi 5000 Quattro, the very first mass produced four-wheel drive sedan in the world. -Thanks to Michael Solowiow
E.T. is #25 on the American Film Institute's (AFI) list of greatest movies ever. -Thanks to Lynn
Gertie's line "I don't like his feet" was not in the script; Drew Barrymore came up with that herself.
E.T. premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 26, 1982. It was released in the U.S. on June 11, 1982. -Thanks to David Jones
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Find much more great trivia in the filmmaker's commentary on the E.T. DVD.
Rediscover your favorites! If you like
E.T. or 80's Family Fun classics, then be sure to
check out this list: ..... Annie ..... Labyrinth ..... Dark Crystal ..... Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court ..... Goonies ..... NeverEnding Story ..... Who Framed Roger Rabbit ..... Wizard ..... Dragon That Wasn't (Or Was He?) ..... Savannah Smiles ..... Ratboy ..... Frankenweenie ..... Santa Claus: The Movie ..... Explorers .....[More]
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Henry Thomas, who plays Elliot, didn't even have an agent at the time! When he auditioned for the role of Elliot, he did a sensational job and immediately after, Spielberg offered him the part... Right there! An older Henry Thomas says that was the quickest audition he ever had and you can watch it on the 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD. -Thanks to Emily
The movie car builders at Customs By Eddie Paul in El Segundo, CA were contacted to create the custom Ford van used in the E.T. rescue scene. -Thanks to Brian
Spielburg cast Drew Barrymore for the role of Gertie when she was originally auditioning for "Poltergeist". -Thanks to Greg
Harrison Ford was cast as Elliot's school headmaster, but the scene was cut from the film because Spielberg felt that Ford, being one of the biggest stars in the world at the time, would distract people from the story and beauty of the film. -Thanks to Greg
Scriptwriter Melissa Mathison (Harrison Ford's wife) was cast in a small role as Elliot's teacher. She was so nervous performing that her hands shook too much and her small part also found itself on the cutting room floor.
E.T's voice was done by Pat Walsh and Debra Winger.
The BMX bicycles used in the movie were all made by Kuwahara. The half white/maroon model which was ridden by Elliot was designated the E.T. Kuwahara. This film sparked off many kids at the time to get BMX's, making the sport a craze of 80s. I don't think the Kuwahara company exists any more. The sport died out for a while, but now has found new life again. -Thanks to Trevor Ou Tim
Originally, Elliot was supposed to lure E.T. with M&Ms, but the M&Ms/Mars company wouldn't let the filmmakers use their product, so the candy was changed to Reese's Pieces. -Thanks to J.R. Weber
Foley artist, John Roesch, used a wet t-shirt stuffed with Jello for the sound of E.T.'s walk. -Thanks to Stephanie
Shooting began on September 8, 1981, and finished in December 1981. Also, the scenes are mostly seen in the same order as they were shot. -Thanks to David Jones
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|  |  |  | | E.T.
Locations |
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 Featured Movie Location: Elliot's House
Wanna see the real life filming location used for Elliot's House in the movie? These scenes were actually shot at a private residence, located in Tujunga, S. California. [New! Show Google Map]
E.T.'s first view of the San Fernando Valley at night can be seen on the Universal Studios backlot tram ride in Studio City, CA. At the end of the tour, the tram makes its way up the hill from the backlot, and the small area of brush with a guardrail to the right of the tram is the location used for the night-time view that E.T. first had of the Valley. [Thanks to John]
The house that Elliot lived in was also seen in the movie "Charlie's Angels. You know the scene when Drew Barrymore falls from the villian's house? Well, she rolls down the hill into the backyard of --you guessed it-- the E.T. house! This was mentioned in some of the press for "Charlie's Angels" and the making of "Charlie's Angels" [Thanks to Rachel]
E.T. also used locations including some at Granada Hills, CA; Wrightwood, CA
The redwoods scenes at the beginning and the end were filmed at Fort Dick, CA, on land owned by the Miller-Rellim Redwood Co. They are very close to the ones used for "Return of The Jedi". Unlike the ROTJ location, the redwoods managed to escape clearcutting, since they are now located adjacent to an elementary school, and safety precautions prevented logging the area (giant redwoods falling on small children makes for BAD publicity). Sarah wrote in to say that "Many of my grade school friends had their very first kiss on the "set" of ET, while ditching 6th grade on the other side of the playground fence. Many young boys broke important bones launching their bicycles off ramps and trying to "fly", just like the movie. It's amazing what redneck children will do for kicks, I swear." [Thanks to Sarah]
A face down and dying E.T. was shot in Little Mill Creek near the Crescent city location.
Elliot's school is Culver City High School, Elenda Street at Franklin Avenue in Los Angeles
The tree-lined street from which Elliot and E.T. take off is White Oak Ave in an area of Granada Hills called Porter Ranch, a few blocks north of Chatsworth St and south of San Fernando Mission Blvd in Granada Hills, CA (San Fernando Valley -about 15 minutes NW of Hollywood).
The street is just north of the intersection of Chatsworth and Zelzah. [Thanks to Bryan]
The park scene was filmed at Porter Ridge Park in Porter Ranch, CA. Most of the playground equipment has been upgraded, although the original caterpiller and swings are still present (2003.) We all call it the "ET Park" at the north end of Reseda Blvd. The kids also ride through unfinished houses in the area. [Thanks to Lauren Boehm]
The E.T. Street scenes (Halloween, chases) were filmed at the Porter Ranch community in the northern part of San Fernando Valley. Also, a hill in Porter Ranch was also used.
Tim Kramer wrote in to say "by analyzing the video I have been able to determine where the scene in which Elliot rides his bike on a dirt path above his neighborhood in route to the forest was filmed. That scene was filmed in the heart of Porter Ranch. Brasilia Drive and Monte Leon Way are the two streets most visible down below the hillside." -Thanks Tim!
The scene where they come with the Hazard trucks and extend the white tube from the truck. That location is at the top of Reseda in Porter Ranch. There is a park a few minutes from where the Halloween chase secenes were filmed. The camera angle in the movie is at the bottom of the hill (I think) and you can see the exact location of the trucks and there is a swing set that is still there from that scene. Looks almost identical today... but I guarantee you that this is that location. [Thanks to John Agayan]
the neighborhood E.T. was filmed in is the same one used in 'Poltergeist'.[Thanks to Mike Wohlers]
See any errors? Something we've missed? [Let us know]
|  | | | | ![[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]](16_9.gif) | ![[5.1 CH SURROUND]](dd5.gif) | Trailer, Commentary, Featurette, OutTakes, Score |
| | | | Trailer, Commentary, Featurette, OutTakes, Score |
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The score by John Williams is essential to the fairytale, dreamlike atmosphere of the film, it makes the whole thing like a child's fantasy, like something you can imagine Steven Spielberg dreaming at school. Because of its immense popularity, the score for ET The Extra-Terrestrial has been released many times. From about 1988 through 1996 the only recording of the ET score available --on LP or CD-- was a 40 minute collection of recordings that weren't those that originally appeared in the film. Williams recorded those eight tracks himself at the time of the original recording as well, but meant for the second recordings to be a concert version of a large portion of the score.
The recordings are noticeably different than those in the film, and although some people were satisfied with these recordings, others were not. Some people believe that the re-recordings on the original album have better sound quality, though many would beg to differ. The original albums, which were reprinted several times by MCA, had many of the cues in the wrong order. The entire ET score, as it was originally heard in the film, was finally released by MCA in 1996, shortly after a very attractive expanded edition of Raiders of the Lost Ark was released. The new, 71 minute ET not only offers 31 more minutes of music, but also has the cues in their original form and order.
Later, in March 2002, to celebrate E.T's 20th Anniversary, a new, remastered verson of the soundtrack was released. Clearly taking it's cue from the excellent Superman re-release, the new anniversary edition offers everything that anyone could want. Use our search feature to see and hear more.
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