E.T. - The Extraterrestrial [1982]

Country of Origin: USA
Year of Production: 1982
Running Times: 115 mins
Format: Technicolor     35mm     70mm [blow-up]
Ratio: 1.66:1 [negative ratio]     1.85:1 [intended ratio]
Sound: 70mm 6-Track Dolby     Digital Dolby

PRODUCTION
Production Company: Universal Pictures
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg
Associate Producer: Melissa Matheson
Production Supervisor: Frank Marshall
Production Manager: Wallace Worsley
Production Co-Ordinator: Sue Dwiggins

SCRIPT
Script: Melissa Mathison

DIRECTION
Director: Steven Spielberg
1st Assistant Director: Katy Emde
2nd Assistant Director: Daniel Attias
2nd Unit Director: Glenn Randall
DGA Trainee: John Flynn

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Allen Daviau
Camera Operators: John Fleckenstein, John Connor
1st Assistant Camera: Steven Shaw
2nd Assistant Camera: Richard Fee
Gaffer: James Plannette
Lighting Best Boy: Joseph Capshaw
Key Grip: Gene Kearney
Grip Best Boy: Bob Munoz
Dolly Grip: Donald Hartley
Stills: Bruce McBroom, Terry Chostner
Still Lab Technicians: Kerry Nordquist, Roberto McGrath
Colour Timer: Robert Raring

EDITING AND POST PRODUCTION
Editor: Carol Littleton
1st Assistant Editor: Kathleen Korth
2nd Assistant Editor: Bruce Cannon
Negative Cutters: Donah Bassett, Dennis E. Brooking

MUSIC
Music: John Williams
Songs: Jennifer Smith [Willie]; Elvis Costello [Accidents Will Happen]; Jim Carroll [People Who Died]
Songs Performed By: Jennifer Smith, Peter Meissner, Joe Scriva, Bob Parr [Willie]; The Persuasions [Papa Oom Mow Mow]; Elvis Costello [Accidents Will Happen]; Jim Carroll [People Who Died]
Music Editor: Kenneth Hall
Orchestrator: Herbert W. Spencer

SOUND
Sound Technician: Charles Payne
Sound Mixer: Gene Cantamessa
Re-Recording Mixer: Buzz Knudson, Robert Glass, Don Digirolamo
2002 Restoration Re-Recording Mixer: Andy Koyama [uncredited]
Boom Man: Raul Bruce
Supervising Sound Editor: Charles L. Campbell
Assistant Sound Editor: Chuck Neely
Sound Effects Editors: David A. Pettijohn, Louis L. Edemann, Richard C. Franklin Jr, Samuel C. Crutcher, Howard Stein
Post Production Dialogue Editor: Norman B. Schwartz for LipSSync Inc
ADR Editor: Hank Salerno, Nicholas Korda
ADR Loop Group: Corey Burton
Foley Artists: John Roesch, Joan Rowe
ET's Voice Designer: Ben Burtt

MAKE UP AND COSTUMES
Make Up: Robert Sidell
Hair: Lola 'Skip' McNalley
Costumer: Deborah Scott
Assistant Costumer: Daniel Moore

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects: Industrial Light and Magic
E.T. Created By: Carlo Rambaldi
E.T. Operators: Bob Townsend, Eugene Crum, Frank Schepler, Richard Zarro, Robert Avila, Ronald Zarro, Steve Willis
Special E.T. Effects Manager: Steve Townsend
Additional E.T. Effects: Robert Short
E.T. Eyes Design: Beverley Hoffman
E.T. Movement Co-Ordinator: Caprice Rothe
Special E.T. Movements: Pat Bilon, Matthew De Meritt, Nancy MacLean, Pam Ybarra, Tamara De Treaux, Tina Palmer
Visual Effects Supervisor: Dennis Muren
Special Effects Co-Ordinator: Dale L. Martin
Visual Effects Production Co-Ordinators: Laurie Vermont, Warren Franklin
Visual Effects Production Co-Ordinator [20th Anniversary Edition]: David Valentin
Special Effects Technician [ILM]: John McLeod
Animation Supervisor: Samuel Comstock
Animators: Gary Waller, Jack Mongovan, Peggy Tonkonogy, Terry Windell
Visual Effects Camera Assistants: Karl Herrmann, Michael Owens, Pat Sweeney, Selwyn Eddy
Visual Effects Camera Operators: Don Dow, Robert Elswit
Visual Effects Camera Operator [ILM]: Michael J. McAlister
Effects Editorial Supervisor: Conrad Buff IV
Model Shop Supervisor: Lorne Peterson
Chief Model Makers: Charles Bailey, Michael Fulmer
Models: Jessie Boberg, Mike Cochrane, Scott Marshall, Randy Ottenberg, Ease Owyeung, Suzanne Pastor, Michael Steffe
Model Electronics: Gary Leo, Marty Brenneis
Special Effects Assistants: Gary Crawford, Andrew Miller, Robert E. Worthington
General Manager [ILM]: Tom Smith
Matte Painting Supervisor: Michael Pangrazio
Matte Painting Artists: Christopher Evans, Frank Ordaz
Matte Photography: Neil Krepela
Matte Photography Assistant: Craig Barron
Optical Effects Co-Ordinator: Mitchell Suskin
Optical Photography Supervisor: Kenneth Smith
Optical Printer Engineers: Gene Whiteman, John Ellis
Optical Printer Line-Up: Ralph Gordon
Optical Printer Operator: David Berry
Optical Technicians: Bob Chrisoulis, Duncan Meyers, Tim Geideman
Visual Effects Go-Motion Figures: Tom St Amand
Electronic Systems Design: Jerry Jeffress
Titles: Pacific Title

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: James D. Bissell
Set Designer: William Teegarden
Communicator Design: Henry Feinberg
Set Decorator: Jackie Carr
Set Dressing Leadwoman: Sandra Renfroe
Production Illustrator: Ed Verraux
Scenic Artist / Spaceship Design: Ralph McQuarrie
Special Artistic Consultant: Craig Reardon
Property Master: Russell Goble
Assistant Props: Ken Walker, Michael Dunn
Property Foremen: Eero Hautanen, Jack Jennings, John Villarino
Construction Co-Ordinator: Ernest Depew
Labour Foreman: Clark Shindel
Paint Foreman: James Moss

MISCELLANEOUS
Script Supervisor: Esther Vivante
Production Associates: Michael Burmeister, Lance Young
Unit Accountant: Bonne Radford
Production Accountant: Laura Kaysen
Assistant Accountant: Jane Goe
Cine Guarantors II Representative: Patricia Roedig
Assistant to Kennedy: Denise Durham
Assistant to Marshall: Patty Rumph
Assistant to Spielberg: Janice Pober
Assistant to Production Supervisor: Patty Rumph
Greensman: Leslie Butcher
Transportation Co-Ordinator: Eugene Schwartz
Transportation Captain: John Feinblatt
Craft Service: Ramon Pahovo
First Aid: Phyllis Levin
Medical Unit Consultants: David Carlberg, Robert W. Scholler
Teacher: Adria Licklider
Unit Publicist: Lyla Foggia
Animal Talent: Dennis Grisco's Animal Talent
Harvey's Owner and Trainer: Richard L. Calkins
Equipment Maintenance: Michael Smith, Wade Childress
Labour Foreman: Clark Shindel
Supervising Stage Technician: Ted Moehnke
Stage Technicians: Bob Finley III, Dave Childers, Dick Dova, Edward Hirsh, Harold Cole, John McCleod, Pat Fitzsimmons, Peter Stolz, Thaine Morris

LOCATIONS
Locations: Laird International Studios; Crescent City, California, USA; Granada Hills, California, USA; Northridge, California, USA; Tujunga, California, USA; Wrightwood, California, USA
Location Services: Dick Vane
Location Production Vehicles: Producers Location Vehicle
Location Security: Location Security Service

STUNTS
Stunts: Alan Wyatt Jr, Michael R. Long [uncredited], Bennie E. Dobbins, Bobby Porter, Chuck Waters, Felix Silla, Fred Lerner, Glenn Randall Jr, Keith Harvey, Richard E. Butler, Ted Grossman

CASTING
Casting: Mike Fenton, Jane Feinberg, Marci Liroff
Extra Casting: Judi's Casting Service

CAST
Dee Wallace [Mary]
Henry Thomas [Elliot]
Peter Coyote [Keys]
Robert MacNaughton [Michael]
Drew Barrymore [Gertie]
K.C. Martel [Greg]
Sean Frye [Steve]
Tom Howell [Tyler]
Erika Eleniak [pretty girl]
David M. O'Dell [schoolboy]
Richard Swingler [science teacher]
Frank Toth [policeman]
Robert Barton [ultra sound man]
Michael Durrell [van man]
David Berkson, David Carlberg, Milt Kogan, Alexander Lampone, Rhoda Makoff, Robert Murphy, Richard Pesavento, Tom Sherry, Susan Cameron, Will Fowler Jr, Barbara Hartnett, Diane Lampone, Mary Stein, Mitchell Suskin [medics]
Pat Welsh [E.T. - uncredited]
Debra Winger [voice of E.T.- uncredited]

A small alien is stranded on Earth when government scientists disturb his plant-collecting expedition and his colleagues take off without him. E.T. befriends a young boy, Elliot, and tries to find a way get home. But all the while, the government agents are closing in and E.T.'s time is running out.

Hugely popular but but very manipulative and verging on the sentimental, E.T. is as mechanical as it's diminutive leading man. Spielberg is simply pressing the buttons here to elicite appropriate emotional responses and the whole film is run through with the relentless 'feel-good' factor that Hollywood films of the 80s and 90s seemed to thrive on. It works well enough, there's no denying that, but the feeling that you've been cajoled into feeling good at teh end leaves a nasty aftertaste. [Full Review]

Argentina
Video Distributor: Argentina Video Home

Germany
Laserdisc Distributor: Philips [62007]

UK
Video Distributor: CIC
Laserdisc Distributor: Pioneer [PLFEB 33971]

USA
Theatrical Distributor: Universal Pictures
Video Distributor: MCA
Laserdisc Distributor: MCA/Universal Home Video [13009]; [40925]; [42734]

CENSORSHIP HISTORY

Argentina
Rating: Atp

Australia
Rating: G

Finland
Rating: K-8

France
Rating: U

Norway
Rating: 12

Sweden
Rating: 11

UK
Rating: U

USA
Rating: PG

West Germany
Rating: 6

1982
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Best Director [Steven Spielberg] - winner
Best Picture - winner

1983
Academy Awards, USA
Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing [Ben Burtt, Charles L. Campbell] - winner
Best Effects, Visual Effects [Dennis Muren, Carlo Rambaldi, Kenneth Smith] - winner
Best Music, Original Score [John Williams] - winner
Best Sound [Gene S. Cantamessa, Don Digirolamo, Robert J. Glass, Robert Knudson] - winner
Best Cinematography [Allen Daviau] - nominated
Best Director [Steven Spielberg] - nominated
Best Film Editing [Carol Littleton] - nominated
Best Picture [Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg] - nominated
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen [Melissa Mathison] - nominated

Academy of Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Films, USA
Saturn Award: Best Science Fiction Film - winner

American Cinema Editors, USA
Eddie: Best Edited Feature Film [Carol Littleton] - nominated

Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
Best Cinematography [Allen Daviau] - winner
Best Director [Steven Spielberg] - winner
Best Film - winner

British Academy Awards
Best Score [John Williams] - winner
Best Cinematography [Allen Daviau] - nominated
Best Direction [Steven Spielberg] - nominated
Best Film [Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg] - nominated
Best Film Editing [Carol Littleton] - nominated
Best Make Up Artist [Robert Sidell] - nominated
Best Outstanding Newcomer [Drew Barrymore] - nominated
Best Outstanding Newcomer [Henry Thomas] - nominated
Best Production Design / Art Direction [James D. Bissell] - nominated
Best Screenplay [Melissa Mathison] - nominated
Best Sound [Charles L. Campbell, Gene S. Cantamessa, Don Digirolamo, Robert Glass, Robert Knudson] - nominated
Best Special Visual Effects [Dennis Muren, Carlo Rambaldi] - nominated

David di Donatello Awards
Miglior Regista Straniero [Steven Spielberg] - winner

Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures [Steven Spielberg] - nominated

Golden Globes, USA
Best Motion Picture: Drama - winner
Best Original Score: Motion Picture [John Williams] - winner
Best Director: Motion Picture [Steven Spielberg] - winner
Best Screenplay: Motion Picture [Melissa Mathison] - winner
New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture: Male [Henry Thomas] - winner

Golden Screen, Germany
Golden Screen - winner

Grammy Awards
Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special [John Williams] - winner

Hugo Awards
Best Dramatic Presentation - nominated

National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA
Best Director [Steven Spielberg] - winner

People's Choice Awards, USA
Favorite Motion Picture - winner

Writers Guild of America, USA
Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen [Melissa Mathison] - winner

Young Artist Awards
Best Family Feature: Animated, Musical or Fantasy - winner
Best Young Motion Picture Actor [Henry Thomas] - winner
Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture [Robert MacNaughton] - winner
Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture [Drew Barrymore] - winner

1994
National Film Preservation Board, USA
Added to the National Film Registry

2000
PGA Golden Laurel Awards
PGA Hall of Fame: Motion Pictures [Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg] - winner

1981
September
8: USA - filming begins

December
Day Unknown: USA - filming ends

1982
May
26: France - shown at the Cannes Film Festival

June
11: USA - theatrical release

December
1: France - theatrical release
9: West Germany - theatrical release
10: Sweden - theatrical release
17: Finland - theatrical release
25: Brazil - theatrical release
26: Denmark - theatrical release
26: Norway - theatrical release

1985
July
19: USA - theatrical re-release

1988
December
Day Unknown: USA - laserdisc release [MCA/Universal Home Video [13009]]

1989
November
Day Unknown: USA - laserdisc release [MCA/Universal Home Video [40925]]

1991
November
Day Unknown: Germany - laserdisc release [Philips [62007]]

1996
January
Day Unknown: UK - laserdisc release [Pioneer [PLFEB 33971]]

October
8: USA - laserdisc distributor [MCA/Universal Home Video [42734]]

1999
January
4: Russia - theatrical release

2002
March
Day Unknown: USA - theatrical re-release [20th anniversary edition]
24: Belgium - shown at the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy, Thriller and Science-Fiction Film
28: Germany - theatrical re-release [20th anniversary edition]
28: Netherlands - theatrical re-release [20th anniversary edition]

May
16: Argentina - theatrical re-release [20th anniversary edition]

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

The Story that Touched the World!

A Boy's Life - working title
E.T. - advertising title
E.T. and Me - working title
E.T. - Der Ausserirdische - German title
E.T. en Zijn Avontuur op Aarde - Dutch title
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial In His Adventure On Earth - advertising title
Night Skies - working title

SEE ALSO
The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle [2000]
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies [1998] [TV]
Airplane II: The Sequel [1982]
The Arrival [1996]
Back to the Future [1985]
Bad Taste [1987]
Balto [1995]
Barney's Great Adventure [1998]
Charlie's Angels [2000]
Chicken Run [2000]
Contact [1997]
Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island [1983]
Daijôbu, mai furendo [1983]
Darkman III: Die Darkman Die [1996]
The Day of the Triffids [1962]
Dogma [1999]
Donnie Darko [2001]
The Doom Generation [1995]
El E.T.E. y el oto [1983]
Explorers [1985]
The Faculty [1998]
Flight of the Navigator [1986]
Ghostbusters II [1989]
Gremlins [1984]
Gremlins [1984]
Harald [1997]
Horrible Horror [1986] [V]
Hudson Hawk [1991]
Independence Day [1996]
The Iron Giant [1999]
Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads [1983]
Joey [1985]
King Kongs Faust [1985]
Last Action Hero [1993]
Men in Black [1997]
Moonwalker [1988]
The Mummy Returns [2001]
The Muse [1999]
The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear [1991]
Los nuevos extraterrestres [1983]
Orgazmo [1997]
Pee-wee's Big Adventure [1985]
Peter Pan [1953]
The Pickle [1993]
Scream [1996]
Six String Samurai [1998]
Spy Hard [1996]
Star Trek [1966]
Star Wars [1977]
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace [1999]
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [1980]
Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation [1992]
Top Secret! [1984]
The Twilight Zone [1959]
Warriors of Virtue [1997]
Wild Wild West [1999]
The Wizard of Oz [1939]
Young Sherlock Holmes [1985]
Zenon: The Zequel [2001]

INCLUDES FOOTAGE FROM
Sesame Street [1969]
This Island Earth [1954]

FOOTAGE INCLUDED IN
100 Years at the Movies [1994]
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies [1998]
The American Film Institute's Tribute to Steven Spielberg [1995]
Coming Soon [1982]
E.T. and Friends [1982]
The Making of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial [1996]
Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues [1988]
My Science Fiction Life [2006]
The Universal Story [1995]
Visions of Light [1992]

MAGAZINES

Empire December 1998 p.146
review

Radio Times 26 March - 1 April 1994 p.52
credits, synopsis

Radio Times 5-11 June 1999 p.59
credits, synopsis

TV Filmes December 1997 p.54
review [by Manuel Pereira]

BOOKS

101 Things You Never Knew About the Movies p.7
credits, review

Hoffman's Guide to Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Movies 1991 - 1991 p.124
credits, review

OTHER SOURCES

screen
credits

KEYWORDS

aliens, bicycles, chases, children, dissection, drunkenness, frogs, plants, pot plants, rainbows, resurrection, schools, scientists, single parents, spaceships, television, ufos

Last Updated: 6 March, 2007