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 defining work of the New Hollywood era, blending science fiction with an intimate coming-of-age story. Its emotional restraint and practical effects set a standard that shaped popular cinema throughout the decade and beyond.

This cell, titled Elliott, captures Henry Thomas in a quiet, atmospheric moment — the young actor reclined against a dark background, a warm orb of light glowing near his chest and hand. The plaid shirt and soft illumination suggest one of the film's more tender interior scenes. Three consecutive frames preserve the continuous action, offering a rare sustained look at Thomas within a single unbroken instant of the performance.