Close Encounters of the Third Kind

( 20 )

Overview

Steven Spielberg followed Jaws 1975, his first major box-office success, with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary Richard Dreyfuss is an electrical lineman who, while sent out on emergency repairs, witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical, then concerned, and eventually fearful, as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" ...
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DVD (Anniversary Edition / Wide Screen / Includes book)
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Overview

Steven Spielberg followed Jaws 1975, his first major box-office success, with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary Richard Dreyfuss is an electrical lineman who, while sent out on emergency repairs, witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical, then concerned, and eventually fearful, as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his job, his home, and his family to pursue the "truth" about UFOs. Neary's obsession eventually puts him in contact with others who've had close encounters with alien spacecraft, including Jillian Melinda Dillon, a single mother whose son disappeared during her UFO experience, and Claude Lacombe celebrated French filmmaker François Truffaut, a French researcher who believes that we can use a musical language to communicate with alien visitors. Lacombe's theory is put to the test when a band of government researchers and underground UFO enthusiasts including Neary join for an exchange with alien visitors near Devil's Tower, Wyoming. In 1980, a "Special Edition" was released. While its primary selling point was the addition of scenes inside the alien spaceship, Spielberg claimed that he also cleaned up some choppy editing in the second act.
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Special Features

Steven Spielberg: 30 Years of Close Encounters; Close Encounters of the Third Kind making of documentary; 1977 featurette "Watch the Skies"; A View From Above: feature comparison poster
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola
Several years in the making and, like Jaws, millions over budget, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) became Steven Spielberg's second blockbuster, confirming his skills at creating visually spectacular popular entertainment. Blending his reverence for the power of movies with a science fiction UFO tale, Spielberg turns an average man's "close encounter" with an extra-terrestrial into an uplifting excursion into fantastic sights. Unlike in Cold War 1950s UFO stories that posit a threat from outside, Spielberg turns the unknown from an initially menacing force that imperils normality into a universal ambassador of transcendent goodwill, providing an escapist note of cinematic hope during the late '70s cultural malaise. Still, 2001 F/X master Douglas Trumbull's pre-digital age visual effects were an even stronger draw, as Close Encounters moves from initial appearances of space pod lights towards the climactic appearance of the enormous and stunningly rendered "mother ship." Praised for Spielberg and company's dazzling craft, amid reservations over the cardboard characters, Close Encounters became one of the biggest hits of the 1970s, helping financially teetering Columbia Pictures and strengthening the late '70s turn towards youth-oriented blockbusters. Beginning with a 1980 "Special Edition," Spielberg re-edited Close Encounters several times after 1977.
All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola
Several years in the making and, like Jaws, millions over budget, Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1977 became Steven Spielberg's second blockbuster, confirming his skills at creating visually spectacular popular entertainment. Blending his reverence for the power of movies with a science fiction UFO tale, Spielberg turns an average man's "close encounter" with an extra-terrestrial into an uplifting excursion into fantastic sights. Unlike in Cold War 1950s UFO stories that posit a threat from outside, Spielberg turns the unknown from an initially menacing force that imperils normality into a universal ambassador of transcendent goodwill, providing an escapist note of cinematic hope during the late '70s cultural malaise. Still, 2001 F/X master Douglas Trumbull's pre-digital age visual effects were an even stronger draw, as Close Encounters moves from initial appearances of space pod lights towards the climactic appearance of the enormous and stunningly rendered "mother ship." Praised for Spielberg and company's dazzling craft, amid reservations over the cardboard characters, Close Encounters became one of the biggest hits of the 1970s, helping financially teetering Columbia Pictures and strengthening the late '70s turn towards youth-oriented blockbusters. Beginning with a 1980 "Special Edition," Spielberg re-edited Close Encounters several times after 1977.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 11/13/2007
  • UPC: 043396212688
  • Original Release: 1977

    • Rating:

  • Source: Sony Pictures
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Anniversary Edition / Wide Screen / Includes book
  • Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound, Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Language: Français
  • Time: 2:15:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 689

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Richard Dreyfuss Roy Neary
François Truffaut Claude Lacombe
Teri Garr Ronnie Neary
Melinda Dillon Jillian Guiler
Cary Guffey Barry Guiler
Bob Balaban David Laughlin
J. Patrick McNamara Project leader
Warren Kemmerling Wild Bill
Roberts Blossom Farmer
Philip Dodds Jean Claude
Shawn Bishop Brad Neary
Adrienne Campbell Silvia Neary
Justin Dreyfuss Toby Neary
Merrill Connally Team Leader
George DiCenzo Major Benchley
David Anderson Air Traffic Controller
Keith Atkinson Dirty Tricks #2
Norman Bartold Ohio Tolls
Hal Barwood Returnee #2 Flt. 19
Eumenio Blanco Federale
Robert Broyles Dirty Tricks #3
Luis Contreras Federale
Amy Douglass Implantee
Gene Dynarski Ike
Matt Emery Special Leader
Jon Ewing Dirty Tricks #1
Chuy Franco Federale
David Gilbert Voice Only
Lance Henriksen Robert
Randy Herman Returnee #1 Flt. 19
Basil Hoffman
John Dennis Johnston Special Forces
James Keane Radio Telescope Team
Alexander Lockwood Implantee
Dennis McMullen Radio Telescope Team
F.J. O'Neil ARP Project Member
Gene Rader Hawker
Matthew Robbins Returnee #3 Flt. 19
Josef Sommer Larry Butler
Galen Thompson Special Forces
Bill Thurman Air Traffic
Carl Weathers M.P.
Bob Westmoreland
Technical Credits
Steven Spielberg Director, Screenwriter
Phillip Abramson Set Decoration/Design
John A. Alonzo Cinematographer
Joe Alves Production Designer
Roy Arbogast Special Effects
Jerry Belson Screenwriter
Jim Bloom Producer
William A. Fraker Cinematographer
Robert Glass Sound/Sound Designer
Don Jarel Cinematographer
Gregory Jein Special Effects
Michael Kahn Editor
Buzz Knudson Sound/Sound Designer
Laszlo Kovacs Cinematographer
Jim Linn Costumes/Costume Designer
John Loggia Production Designer
Daniel Lomino Art Director
Don MacDougall Sound/Sound Designer
Dennis Muren Cinematographer
Chuck Myers Asst. Director
Michael Phillips Producer
Julia Phillips Producer
Steven Poster Camera Operator
Douglas Slocombe Special Effects
Dave Stewart Cinematographer
Douglas Trumbull Cinematographer, Special Effects
John Williams [composer] Score Composer
Matthew Yuricich Special Effects
Richard Yuricich Cinematographer, Special Effects
Vilmos Zsigmond Cinematographer
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Original Theatrical Version
1. Start [1:35]
2. Sonora Desert, Mexico [9:27]
3. Barry [3:36]
4. The Neary Family [4:40]
5. Close Encounter: First Kind [4:03]
6. In Pursuit [4:18]
7. First Signs [11:40]
8. Dharmsala, Northern India [2:01]
9. Breakthrough [1:42]
10. "I Used to Read Maps" [3:29]
11. Contacting the Guilers [12:38]
12. Noticing Something Strange [12:19]
13. Roy's Sculpture [3:55]
14. Moorcroft, Wyoming Reunion [3:45]
15. Cross-Country Detour [4:22]
16. "We Need Answers" [3:30]
17. Making the Escape [6:13]
18. Evading the Army [6:35]
19. Targets Approaching [3:06]
20. Making Contact [3:05]
21. Cloud & Light Show [4:44]
22. The Mothership Arrives [2:50]
23. The Ship Lands [1:12]
24. The Five Tones [3:25]
25. Returning Guests [4:57]
26. Close Encounter: Third Kind [3:13]
27. Pilgrims [2:11]
28. Farewells [5:51]
Disc #2 -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Special Edition
1. Start [1:35]
2. Sonora Desert, Mexico [9:28]
3. Barry [3:36]
4. The Neary Family [5:15]
5. Close Encounter: First Kind [4:09]
6. In Pursuit [4:09]
7. First Signs [9:06]
8. Dharmsala, Northern India [2:01]
9. Breakthrough [5:54]
10. "I Used to Read Maps" [3:29]
11. Contacting the Guilers [8:49]
12. Noticing Something Strange [9:48]
13. Roy's Sculpture [3:48]
14. Moorcroft, Wyoming Reunion [2:31]
15. Cross-Country Detour [4:22]
16. "We Need Answers" [3:30]
17. Making Their Escape [6:01]
18. Evading the Army [6:35]
19. Targets Approaching [3:06]
20. Making Contact [3:05]
21. Cloud & Light Show [4:15]
22. The Mothership Arrives [3:18]
23. The Ship Lands [1:12]
24. The Five Tones [3:25]
25. Returning Guests [4:50]
26. Close Encounter: Third Kind [3:20]
27. Pilgrims [5:13]
28. Farewells [6:18]
Disc #3 -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Director's Cut
1. Start [1:35]
2. Sonora Desert, Mexico [9:28]
3. Barry [3:36]
4. The Neary Family [5:15]
5. Close Encounter: First Kind [4:09]
6. In Pursuit [4:07]
7. First Signs [9:06]
8. Dharmsala, Northern India [2:01]
9. Breakthrough [5:44]
10. "I Used to Read Maps" [3:29]
11. Contacting the Guilers [12:38]
12. Noticing Something Strange [14:24]
13. Roy's Sculpture [3:48]
14. Moorcroft, Wyoming Reunion [2:30]
15. Cross-Country Detour [4:22]
16. "We Need Answers" [3:30]
17. Making Their Escape [6:01]
18. Evading the Army [6:35]
19. Targets Approaching [3:17]
20. Making Contact [2:54]
21. Cloud & Light Show [4:15]
22. The Mothership Arrives [3:18]
23. The Ship Lands [1:12]
24. The Five Tones [3:25]
25. Returning Guests [4:50]
26. Close Encounter: Third Kind [3:20]
27. Pilgrims [2:11]
28. Farewells [5:48]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Original Theatrical Version
   Play Original Theatrical Version
   Scene Selection
   Languages
      Audio: English 5.1
      Audio: English DTS
      Audio: French/Français
      Audio: Spanish/Español
      Subtitles: English
      Subtitles: French/Français
      Subtitles: Spanish/Español
      Subtitles: Portuguese/Português
      Subtitles: Chinese
      Subtitles: Korean
      Subtitles: Thai
      Subtitles: Subtitles Off
   Special Features
      The Making of Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Part 1
      Original Theatrical Preview
Disc #2 -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Special Edition
   Play Special Edition
   Scene Selection
   Languages
      Audio: English 5.1
      Audio: English DTS
      Audio: French/Français
      Audio: Spanish/Español
      Subtitles: English
      Subtitles: French/Français
      Subtitles: Spanish/Español
      Subtitles: Portuguese/Português
      Subtitles: Chinese
      Subtitles: Korean
      Subtitles: Thai
      Subtitles: Subtitles Off
   Special Features
      The Making of Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Part 2
      Special Edition Trailer
Disc #3 -- Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Director's Cut
   Play Director's Cut
   Scene Selection
   Languages
      Audio: English 5.1
      Audio: English DTS
      Audio: French/Français
      Audio: Spanish/Español
      Subtitles: English
      Subtitles: French/Français
      Subtitles: Spanish/Español
      Subtitles: Portuguese/Português
      Subtitles: Chinese
      Subtitles: Korean
      Subtitles: Thai
      Subtitles: Subtitles Off
   Special Features
      The Making of Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Part 3
      Steven Spielberg: 30 Years of Close Encounters
      Watch the Skies
      30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition Trailer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 20 )
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Sort by: Showing all of 20 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    A Science Fiction Favorite

    Both my wife and I really enjoy "Close Encounters." We have seen the movie countless times and never tire of it. My wife particularly liked Richard Dreyfus' performance.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    We Are Not Alone

    The first time I saw this movie it blew me away. You will never look up at the night sky again in the same way.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One of my favorites

    A true sci-fi classic! Steven Spielberg directs a monumental film about the UFO Experience and what possible contact with other world life forms might be like in a positive setting instead of an invasion, which with the exception of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” had been pretty much par for the course until Spielberg tackled this concept (War of the Worlds, etc.). Richard Dreyfuss is Roy, a power company worker who encounters a UFO while trying to find a jobsite during a power outage. The whole town sees these magical lights that have no explanation. Roy becomes obsessed with UFO’s and soon loses his job, his family and his sanity. He feels called to Wyoming for some unknown reason, so he heads to Devil’s Tower, which according to the news has been the site of a recent outbreak of Anthrax and the Army is evacuating the town. Roy meets up with other UFO hunters to try and find out why they are all drawn to this place. He doesn’t know that the answer he is looking for will lead him into the unknown. This DVD contains a retrospective look at the film and has some in depth interviews with the director, actors and producers to give a full perspective on what a landmark film this was.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    An Encounter of the Best Movie

    Close Encounters of the Third Kind is the best Spirlberg movie ever. The actors are great Richard Dryefuss is a great actor. Graet suspence! This movie is a killer for if your a Steven Spielberg fan. Ridley Scott and Alferd Hitchhock started it and Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard finished it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Classic Spielberg

    This sci-fi masterpiece, hailed as a modern-day fairy tale, is a thought-provoking thriller about alien contact, secret government operations, and missing people. I enjoyed every minute of this 2 hour plus movie. As tech-savy as Jurassic Park and as thrilling as Jaws, this is a must-see for even the most casual movie (or Spielberg) fan.

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