National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Universal Pictures released E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in June 1982, and Steven Spielberg's science-fiction fable became the highest-grossing film of its decade. A story of childhood wonder, loneliness, and connection, it arrived at the height of Spielberg's commercial and artistic authority and left a permanent mark on American popular culture. John Williams's score and the practical creature work by Carlo Rambaldi made it a landmark of the form.

This cell, titled E.T. and Elliott Flying, captures three consecutive 35mm frames from the iconic bicycle sequence, showing Elliott Taylor and E.T. moving together along a suburban road. The tight series of frames — nearly identical in composition — preserves the rhythm of the shot itself, offering a rare glimpse into the filmstrip as a continuous document rather than a single frozen moment.