National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Universal Pictures released E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in June 1982, directed by Steven Spielberg. The film became the highest-grossing release of its time and remains a landmark of American cinema, blending science fiction with a deeply personal story of childhood, friendship, and belonging. Its practical effects, John Williams score, and emotional restraint set it apart from the blockbusters of its era, earning it four Academy Awards and a permanent place in cultural memory.

This cell, titled E.T. by the operator, captures a moment from an interior setting, with the faint glow of a light source illuminating the frame alongside visible sunflowers. Three consecutive duplicate frames from the same shot are preserved within this encapsulation, offering a rare glimpse into the film's original 35mm photographic record.