Synopsis

In a quiet California suburb, the life of a young boy named Elliott is transformed one night when he encounters an extraterrestrial creature that has been accidentally left behind on Earth by its species. This being, whom Elliott names E.T., is a fragile and friendly alien with telepathic and healing abilities.

As Elliott introduces E.T. to his everyday life, their bond deepens, demonstrating a communication and emotional understanding that transcends language and species and Elliott becomes E.T.’s protector, hiding him from his mother and the authorities, while trying to help him find a way back home. Complicating matters, E.T. begins to deteriorate physically due to the incompatibility with the Earth’s environment.

The story takes a dramatic turn when Elliott’s efforts to keep E.T. hidden fail, and the government steps in, scientists capture E.T., and Elliott and his friends must make a brave bicycle rescue, facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In a climactic and emotional moment, E.T. uses his powers to lift the children on their bikes into the air, allowing them to escape.

In the final scene, in an emotional farewell, E.T. reunites with his own species who have returned to pick him up, while Elliott and the friends who have shared this incredible adventure watch. Although E.T. returns to his home, the connection he has formed with Elliott and the memories of their friendship remain as an enduring legacy.

«E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial» is not only a story about an encounter with the unknown but also an exhilarating tale about innocence, friendship, and the power of empathy. Through his masterful direction, Spielberg captures the wonder of childhood and the transformative impact of intercultural and interplanetary encounters. With its mix of emotions, adventure, and touching moments, E.T. becomes an iconic film and a beloved work in world cinema.

Trivia

• Inspiration: The idea for E.T. originated from an imaginary friend that Steven Spielberg created after his parents’ divorce in 1960.
• E.T.’s Voice: The voice of the extraterrestrial was created by combining the voices of several people, including Pat Welsh, a woman who smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, which gave her a raspy and distinctive voice.
• Box Office: «E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial» was the highest-grossing film of the 1980s, even surpassing «Star Wars.» It held the record for the highest-grossing film of all time until it was surpassed by «Jurassic Park» in 1993, also directed by Spielberg.
• Special Effects: Despite having innovative special effects for the time, many of E.T.’s most memorable moments were achieved using simple and practical techniques, including the use of puppets to animate the extraterrestrial.
• Presidential Cameo: In an early version of the script, E.T. was going to visit the White House and meet the President of the United States, an idea that was ultimately discarded.
• Cultural Impact: E.T. has been referenced in numerous other media and has had a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring everything from episodes of TV series to advertisements and other films. Additionally, the phrase «E.T. phone home» became one of the most famous quotes in cinema.