National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Universal Pictures released E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in June 1982, and Steven Spielberg's film became the highest-grossing release of its time, holding that record for more than a decade. Shot on 35mm by cinematographer Allen Daviau, the picture drew on practical effects and naturalistic performances to tell a story that resonated across generations. It remains one of the defining works of American popular cinema.

This cell, titled Gertie and Michael, captures three frames from a warmly lit interior sequence. The first two frames show Gertie and Michael in close proximity, a near-duplicate pair that preserves a single sustained moment. The third shifts slightly to place Gertie alongside Elliott, offering a quiet variation in framing. Drew Barrymore, Robert MacNaughton, and Henry Thomas are all present across the strip.