Best, Top Eighties Movies: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Michael Martin, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Mar 1, 2009 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

When I think about movies from the decade of the 1980s, the one megahit movie that comes to mind is the loveable E.T., from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. I can remember the time when my parents took me to the movie theatre in 1982, when Steven Spielberg's E.T. was first released on the big screen. I was in elementary school at the time and recall E.T. making a big splash worldwide.

E.T. was re-released onto the big screen in 2002. I went and saw it again and enjoyed it the second time around. Everybody remembers watching E.T. waddle around. By now, you may have watched it with your children. You may have even watched it with your children's children. The film has that timeless quality about it, as it can be watched with each generation. It's the family movie of family movies.

So much has been written and referenced about this film. Who will ever forget the ten-year-old boy, Elliot, and his friends racing off on bicycles eluding authorities as they took off into the air and crossed the sky through the moonlight? It's one of the greatest scenes in movie history. Remember Reese's Pieces? It's the candy E.T. made famous. But, it's the emotional bond between Elliot and E.T. that brings the movie to a different level. Everybody remembers the emotional ending when E.T. says good-bye to Elliot to "return home."

Here's some additional interesting facts about the movie:

1. A scene was added back in to include a cameo appearance by Harrison Ford.

2. E.T. is number 25 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.

3. Actress Debra Winger contributed to the voice of the character, E.T.

4. E.T. was the first film character to be a finalist in TIME's Man of the Year sweepstakes.

5. E.T. was filmed at a low angle so it could be depicted from a child's point of view.

So much has made this one of the most popular movies in history. It's a movie that should easily be added to your collection. Check out buying the movie at:

Sources:

http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/et.htm

http://www.time.com/time/2005/100movies/0,23220,e_t,00.html

Published by Michael Martin

View profile