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 era and remains a defining work of American cinema, blending suburban family drama with science fiction in a way that resonated across generations. Shot by Allen Daviau, its warm, practical lighting and intimate framing gave 35mm prints a distinctive visual character that collectors continue to seek out.

This cell captures Mary during the Halloween sequence, one of the film's most visually rich passages. The warm amber interior light, jack-o-lanterns, and the patterned costume visible in frame place her within the festive domestic chaos of that evening. The near-identical framing across all three frames reflects the rhythmic pacing Spielberg used to hold the scene's emotional atmosphere.