National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Universal Pictures released E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in June 1982, directed by Steven Spielberg at the height of his creative powers. The film became the highest-grossing release of its time and remains a defining work of American cinema, blending suburban family drama with science fiction in a way that resonated across generations. Its score by John Williams and its visual storytelling set a standard that influenced blockbuster filmmaking for decades to come.

This cell captures the celebrated flying bicycle sequence, titled E.T. and Elliott Flying, showing Elliott and Michael silhouetted against a luminous full moon in the film's most recognizable image. All three frames present the same composition, the warm amber sky and circular backlight creating the shot that became synonymous with the film itself.