National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Universal Pictures released E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in June 1982, with Steven Spielberg directing at the height of his early career. The film became the highest-grossing release of its time, displacing Star Wars, and remains a defining work of American cinema — a story of childhood, longing, and connection that resonated across generations. Its practical effects, John Williams score, and deeply personal tone set it apart from the science fiction films of its era.

This cell, titled E.T., Elliott and Gertie, captures three strips from a warm interior sequence central to the film's domestic heart. Frames one and two show Gertie, Elliott, and E.T. together in close company, with subtle movement between them. Frame three shifts the grouping, bringing Michael into the scene alongside Elliott and E.T. as the family dynamic quietly unfolds.