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 American cinema, blending science fiction with intimate family drama. Shot on 35mm by cinematographer Allen Daviau, its warm, practical lighting and suburban setting gave the story an emotional grounding that resonated across generations. The film received four Academy Awards and continues to be regarded as one of Spielberg's most personal achievements.

This three-frame cell, titled Gertie, captures the character in consecutive moments at a wooden counter or desk within the family home, holding a round yellow object. The frames read as a tight, unbroken sequence, offering a rare sustained look at a single quiet instant from the film preserved across the full 35mm strip.