A scene remembered by “ET, the extraterrestrial”, Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film that turns 40 on June 11 from its premiere.
It was June 11, 1982 when “ET the alien” It reached theaters all over the world, but it was not yet known that it would mark the history of cinema, especially science fiction. Forty years later, the creature continues to soften the world in its efforts to return home.
The original idea was born from the director’s childhood experience, Steven Spielbergaffected by the divorce of his parents and which he invented an imaginary friend
ET wanted to return to his home, in a galaxy three million light years from Earth and with which he tries to communicate (“ET, phone, home” or “my house, phone” became a famous phrase which has been integrated into the cultural heritage). He, like little Elliot, feels that his house is incomplete.
ET, the good-natured monster who fell in love with adults and children from all over the world.
The story begins Crescent City (California). Extraterrestrial botanists collect vegetation samples to take to their distant planet, but US government agents follow them and forget one of their members on their escape. Elliot (Henry Thomas) is a victim of his older brother, Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and his friends, who have him as their servant and send him to eat a pizza.
Along the way, Elliot discovers the lost and abandoned alien, who is on the run. However, the boy leaves some sweets on the way home to lure him. After several adventures, Elliot and his brothers, Michael and Gertie (Drew Barrymore) They try to find a way to get the little alien back to its planet before the scientists and police find it.
The final scene, where ET tells Elliot “I’ll be right here” while pointing to the sky with the tip of his luminous finger, just before boarding the spaceship that will bring him back to his planet, he has become one of the last most moving and moving in the history of cinema.
ET the Extra Terrestrial film was a huge box office success and was shot for just $ 10 million.
Coincidentally, ET’s script surfaced during the filming of the also successful film “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark”. During breaks in filming, Spielberg met with screenwriter Melissa Mathison to work together on the film. Once they had more or less spun the pattern, Mathison wrote a first version in two weeks which immediately convinced the director.
At the audition to select the actor who will play Elliot, and after being unconvincing in the rehearsal, Thomas improvised a scene in which, to express sadness, he thought about the day his dog died. Her tears moved Spielberg so much that he decided to throw her on the spot.
Henry Thomas, the ET boyfriend.
The inspiration for drawing the face of the cute alien turned out to be a combination of the scientist’s faces Albert Einstein, the poet Carl Sandbug and the writer Ernest Hemingway.
It was shot between September and December 1981 in California, with a Budget of $ 10.5 million (according to Box Office Mojo page) and was a box office hit not just in the United States, but around the world.
At the moment, ousted “Star Wars” (1977) (now renamed “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”) who until then was a box office leader. Only one other Spielberg film would take away his reign in the following years: “Jurassic Park” (1993).
“ET, the Extraterrestrial” was the film that consolidated Steven Spielberg in 1982 as one of the great popes of the world film industry.
ET moved millions of viewers, received critical acclaim and was nominated nine Oscars, of which he won four, of which one with the best soundtrack, that of John Williamsa music that makes the viewer travel from the chair and that made an entire generation dream.
Spielberg, who previously worked with Williams on “Jaws” (1975), was particularly amazed by the “ET the Extra-Terrestrial” soundtrack. His fascination was such that when he heard it for the first time he couldn’t hold back the tears and asked him not to change a single note.
A 2002 photo, 20 years after its release, of the original cast of the ET movie.
The film was for many the first cinematic experience on the big screen children born in the 70swhile others were able to enjoy it via videotape, DVD or television in the following years.
What is so special about the film that 40 years later continues to thrill and attract audiences? Perhaps the simplest answer is that it tells a story a universal feeling like friendship, in addition to changing the paradigm of the whole world, showing that aliens could also be affectionate and familiar, instead of mere monsters from other mysterious worlds as the collective imagination had dreamed up to then.
Source: Clarin
