Close Encounters of the Third Kind Movie Review

Strangers from all over the world become involved in the attempts of benevolent aliens to contact Earthlings. Despite the (intentionally) mundane nature of the characters, this Spielberg epic is a stirring achievement. Studded with classic sequences; the ending is an exhilarating experience of special effects and peace-on-Earth feelings. Richard Dreyfuss and Melinda Dillon excel as friends who are at once bewildered and obsessed by the alien presence, and French filmmaker Francois Truffaut is also strong as the stern, ultimately kind scientist. Departing from the common saucer design for extraterrestrial vehicles, the UFOs appear here as beautiful, multicolored light shows, swooping gracefully about the frame. Released the same year as Star Wars, the two features set new standards of special effects spectacle. Steven Spielberg claims he was rushed to get the picture done for the release date. In 1980, he used his clout to engineer a “special edition” re-release, re-edited to his liking – and sparking an ongoing argument as to which version is better. Deluxe laserdisc includes formerly edited scenes, live interviews with Spielberg, special effects man Douglas Trumbull, and composer John Williams, publicity materials, and over 1000 production photos.

1977 (PG) 152m/C Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, Francois Truffaut, Bob Balaban, Cary Guffey, J. Patrick McNamara; D: Steven Spielberg; W: Steven Spielberg; C: Vilmos Zsigmond; M: John Williams. Academy Awards ‘77: Best Cinematography, Best Sound Effects Editing; National Board of Review Awards ‘77: 10 Best Films of the Year; Nominations: Academy Awards ‘77: Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, Best Director (Spielberg), Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Supporting Actress (Dillon), Best Original Score. VHS, Beta, LV COL, CRC, FUS