E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: 30th Anniversary (Blu-ray) (1982)

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General		Extras
Category	Family	Menu Animation & Audio Deleted Scenes Interviews-Crew-Steven Spielberg Featurette-Behind The Scenes-Extensive Featurette-Evolution and Creation of E.T. Featurette-The Reunion Featurette-The Music Of John Williams Featurette-The 20th Anniversary Premiere Gallery-Designs, Photographis and Marketing (6) Featurette-Making Of-A Look Back Theatrical Trailer TV Spots
Rating
Year Of Production	1982
Running Time	114:29
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Dual Disc Set	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Language Select Then Menu
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Steven Spielberg
Studio Distributor	Universal Sony	Starring	Henry Thomas Drew Barrymore Robert MacNaughton Dee Wallace Peter Coyote
Case	?
RPI	?	Music	John Williams

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 7.1 English dts 2.0 French DTS HD High Resolution Audio 7.1 French dts 2.0 Dutch dts 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.85:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	1.85:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English Dutch French Chinese Korean Arabic Chinese Ukranian	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     Back in 1982, science fiction was really taking off at the cinemas in a big way with the success of Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Steven Spielberg was really making a name for himself in Hollywood due to Jaws, Close Encounters & Raiders of the Lost Ark coming in quick succession. His next project might have seemed to be a smaller film, focused as it is on a family coping with the impact of divorce (mirroring Spielberg’s own childhood), however, it was the addition of a cute and friendly alien that really made this the much loved blockbuster that it was and remains to this day, 30 years on.

     Strangely, for a lover of movies and science fiction in particular I had never seen this film in its entirety before reviewing this new Blu-ray release. I seem to recall that as a child, my parents heard that someone called someone else a ‘p**** breath’ which made them feel the film was not appropriate to my then 14 year old ears. It is somewhat surprising on that basis that I saw any movies at all before reaching adulthood.

     To my mind, this is a marvellous family film, which brings joy, humour, emotion, adventure and excitement to the screen. My sons (who are 10 and 8) loved the film despite the younger fellow finding the ‘death’ of E.T. a bit too emotional. One thing which is really interesting about this film and perhaps part of why it appeals to children so much is that it is mostly shot from the perspective of a child, i.e., from a lower camera position. The direction is assured and the story moves quickly and does not outstay its welcome. The score by John Williams is a masterpiece highlighted by the famous theme.

     Purists will be pleased to note that the alterations done to the film for the 20th anniversary edition (extra scenes and removing guns) have been reversed for this new edition which now reflects the original theatrical version. It is also pleasing to have the original stereo soundtrack included for those who want it. Personally, I think the 7.1 DTS-HD track is a much better option but more on that in the audio section.

     One other thing which struck me about this film is the complete lack of name cast members (certainly at the time) but even now Drew Barrymore is probably the biggest name in the film and she was very young when the film was made. The main cast members are the E.T. puppet itself, along with the three kids in the family he stays with, Elliot (Henry Thomas), his older brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and younger sister, Gertie (Barrymore) being much more prominent than the adult cast which features Dee Wallace as their mother and Peter Coyote, whose character is just known as Keys due to the keys hanging on his belt. It is also the first major film appearance for C.Thomas Howell as one of Michael’s friends.

     Anyway, I probably don’t really need to explain much more about this film as you probably know it and have seen it many more time than I have. It seems obvious that this is the best the film has ever looked or sounded, and is a highly recommended release.

Video

     The video quality is excellent and I am sure the best the film has looked.

     The feature is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 1080p using the AVC codec.

     The picture was very clear and sharp throughout, much better than a film of this vintage usually looks. Shadow detail is also excellent.

     The colour is excellent on this disc with sunsets and the blue of the moon in the famous moment really standing out.

     There was some minor shimmer to be seen on clothes plus some film grain especially in indoor sequences.

     There are subtitles in English which were clear and easy to read. There are other subtitle streams in French, Dutch, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Chinese (presumably simplified) & Ukrainian.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The audio quality is excellent.

     This disc contains an English soundtrack in DTS HD-MA 7.1 plus the original mix in DTS Stereo 2.0. Soundtracks are also available in French DTS HD-High Resolution 7.1, French DTS 2.0 and Dutch DTS 5.1.

     Dialogue was extremely clear and easy to understand throughout.

     The music by John Williams is magnificent and leaps out of the speakers right around the sound field on this disc.

     The surround speakers are used extensively for action sequences such as when E.T. runs around Elliot early in the film and during the opening chase sequence. The music as well made great use of the surrounds.

     The subwoofer was used to support the music and action. Obviously the subwoofer was not as active as during a big modern action film but considering the material is was excellent.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

     Lots of extras, both new and from previous releases.

Menu

     The menu featured music and scenes from the film but annoyingly is one of these international menus with no words.

Deleted Scenes (3:40)

     Presented in HD these are the two extra scenes added to the 20th anniversary version of the film. They are E.T. and Elliot having a bath and an extended Halloween sequence. Not essential but nice to have.

Steven Spielberg & E.T. (12:31)

     Presented in HD this is a new extra featuring an interview with Spielberg about this film and its legacy. He talks about the genesis of the idea, how it was developed into a screenplay, his hopes for it and the push for him to make a sequel. Interesting stuff and a good addition.

E.T. Journals (53:35)

     Presented in HD this is available either as two parts or play all. It contains extensive behind the scenes footage of filming E.T. and is presented sequenced in the same order as the film itself. Lots of great background here and gives real insight into how the film was put together.

A Look Back (37:40)

     Presented in SD 4x3. I understand that this is a truncated version of a 90 minute documentary produced when this film was released on laser disc. It covers the making of the film from the perspective of cast and crew who got together in 1996.

The Evolution & Creation of E.T. (50:15)

     Presented in SD 4x3. This extra was on the 20th anniversary DVD set and is a comprehensive making of feature covering the development, writing, effects, puppetry and the look of E.T. himself. Worthy but if you have the previous release you will already have this.

The E.T. Reunion (17:54)

     Presented in SD 4x3. Group interview from 2002 featuring Spielberg, Producer Kathleen Kennedy, Drew Barrymore, Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Dee Wallace & Peter Coyote. They discuss their experience of shooting the film and their reminiscences. Also from the 20th anniversary DVD.

The Music of E.T. - A Discussion with John Williams (10:02)

     Presented in SD 4x3 and also a repeat from the 20th anniversary edition DVD. He discusses the writing, scoring and his reaction to the film itself.

The 20th Anniversary Premiere (17:47)

     Presented in SD 4x3 and also a repeat from the 20th anniversary edition DVD. This shows the preparation for the concert performance of the soundtrack live as part of the premiere. The alternate soundtrack from the premiere was included on the 20th anniversary DVD but is not included here.

Designs, Photography & Marketing

     Extensive photo galleries repeated from the 20th anniversary edition.

Theatrical Trailer (1:48)

     Not 16x9 enhanced and much more dated than the film itself.

Special Olympics TV Spot (1:00)

     E.T. promotes the special Olympics.

    The Region A & UK B versions of this Blu-ray are the same as our local release.

    The video quality is excellent.

    The audio quality is excellent.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall