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 influence. 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. John Williams composed the score, and the production marked a turning point in how studios approached family-oriented blockbusters.

The Elliott and Friends Chase Scene captures Henry Thomas as Elliott Taylor, Robert MacNaughton as Michael Taylor, and C. Thomas Howell as Tyler riding bicycles across an open landscape with E.T., voiced by Pat Welsh, riding in the front basket. Across three frames the sequence unfolds from behind and to the side, preserving the spatial sweep of one of the most recognized moments in the film.