*Close Encounters of the Third Kind* BROKE MY HEART

[@holddowna]

Check out the Podcast I did about this movie with Chris and Altaf from "Movies That Changed Us" kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4nZgGqpqq1sa7c

[@johntaylor6211]

Why put a spoiler on the first few minutes 😂

[@HArryvajonas]

@holddowna Since Teri Gar is the news RIP, have you watched Young Frankenstein?

[@Xcris_crosX]

Hey UFO/Alien geek, check out the underground base in Dulce, NM

[@elcorado83]

Nobody gets the context of this film, which is sad-because to understand the context is to understand a) the key message of the movie, and b) why Roy left in the end. This is not a criticism, or my personal view-I'm just going to try to fill in the gaps so people can understand the end of the film, since so few do, due to massive changes in society since the film was released. So.... When the film came out, the era of 1977 was a mirror image of what it is today. Instead of women wanting to liberate themselves from stereotypes of being stuck as mothers in the home, it was men wanting to be liberated from being stuck in jobs & fathers in dull lives-I'm NOT saying I agree or disagree with this point, Im just painting the context and culture of America in 1977. A generation of men Roy's age had been kids in the 1950's, seeing strict fathers who were cold, closed off, and obsessed with their careers. They didn't want that, but a lot woke up with a family in their mid thirties and felt suffocated (again, not my opinion, im just repeating how America viewed things back then). With THIS as the backdrop, Close Encounters the movie came-showing a bored, unhappy, disillusioned Roy at the start, in a dull job, with loud kids, trying to persuade them to see the things that he thought were 'magic' when he was a kid (the Pinocchio movie). The UFO awakens the dreamer, the child, the artist in him, literally (which is used as a metaphor for all the UFO witnesses, all drawn to an unknown special mountain). His wife is embarrassed by his non conformist behaviour, tries to cover it up, and is worried about what the neighbours will think. THIS, then, is the context the film must be considered in to fully understand. To put it another way, if the film were remade today, the lead character would be a bored frustrated women, married, who had her passion and imagination ignited on seeing something incredible, and at the end, SHE would leave. And let's be honest, in today's culture, nobody would criticise or question her doing this. Right or wrong, it's just a cultural change since the movie came out. But the lack of knowledge about that historical context seems to always confuse younger people-so I'm explaining it here. I'm not taking a side, or criticising, just filling in the gaps so people can maybe enjoy the movie more fully. It's about dreamers, non conformists, artists, imagination-childhood wonder. And waking up one day to think (to paraphrase the song "well, how did I get here?") Times change. Let's not get hung up on cultural shifts and instead keep the historical context in mind, sit back, and enjoy the amazing movie.

[@DrJohnnyApocolypse]

Wife and I just found your Channel a few days ago, just finished your Rambo reaction and thought you’d really enjoy “The Hunted” (2003) with Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro.. one of my all time favorite gems for countless reasons, promise it blows you away, love to see a reaction some day. Keep it up, you’ve got two new subscribers here 👍

[@shainewhite2781]

RIP, Teri Garr, 1944-2024.

[@codyt821]

She was truly one of the greats, so talented. She will be missed.

[@satyadasgumbyji8956]

Didn't know she passed.😔 Garr was as good good as they get. Was sad she got sick & had to suffer all those years. R.I.P.🙏❤️

[@holddowna]

loved her in this RIP!

[@nodak81]

I didn't hear anything about it. RIP

[@bfdidc6604]

She always seemed to play the wife/girlfriend of some guy in crisis. I first saw her in the 60s on a TOS Star Trek where she played girl Friday to Gary 7. RIP, Teri.

[@TheMess9898]

Spielberg was on "Inside the Actors Studio" in 1999. James Lipton asked him, regarding his parents who divorced when he was young , "Your father was a computer scientist and your mother was a musician, when the spaceship lands how do they communicate?" Spielberg smiled and responded, "That's a very good question I like that. You have answered the question." Then Lipton said, "They make music on their computers and they can speak to each other." In the end, the director told Lipton something important. He shared, "You know I would love to say I intended that and I realized that was my mother and father but not until this moment. Thank you for that."

[@watchreadplayretro]

wow

[@jcp1984again]

I remember seeing this interview. The moment you're talking about made me very emotional. This shows how genuine Spielberg is as a storyteller - he didn't calculate this story together, he let things manifest from his subsonscious, his inner life, his own vulnerability! Thank you for bringing this up!

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

The airline pilots did not want to "report seeing a UFO" because doing so would label you as "crazy" and you risk losing your job.

[@GrantWaller.-hf6jn]

You are correct.

[@cyberingcatgirls7069]

Came to comments to say just this. :D

[@NemeanLion-]

Yeah, NO ONE talked about this subject with any type of seriousness like they do nowadays. Any report would damage their credibility.

[@JFrazer4303]

And tons of paperwork.

[@DaveBukowski]

​@@JFrazer4303 yes the paperwork, questioning then the psych evals and eventual loss of job possibly... "Nope, I saw nothing".

[@TheSirUno]

"This is why we go to movies, people." Boom. This, right here. 👏🏼

[@kingoftadpoles]

I remember when I walked out of the cinema, looking straight up at a starry sky, just like everyone else.

[@broken4096]

Rest in peace, Teri

[@BillySBC]

I'll always remember her "roll in the hay" and "put the candle back!" segments of the movie "Young Frankenstein". She was hilarious, intelligent, and a really fine actress. She also did an episode of the Original Star Trek.

[@danieljette7409]

And Melinda Dillon, last year.

[@broken4096]

@@danieljette7409 I thought about her after I posted. I remember her passing.

[@Wungolioth]

I think Teri Garr's first movie role was in The Monkees' movie "Head"

[@dmrr7739]

I thought Teri Garr deserved an Oscar for this. She just plays her role so perfectly. She goes from unfazed to absolutely out of control in the shower scene.

[@brainrussell6811]

Possibly the greatest film event I've experienced. I vividly remember waking out of the theatre into that cool, dark, star-filled sky. My head autonomically snapped skyward as if expecting to witness the real thing. But what really blew me away was when I stopped, turned back to the exit door and literally watched every soul leaving that theatre perform the very same ritual that I, and my brothers, had just performed. Spielberg made the whole world look up. I felt more connected to humanity at that moment than anytime before or since.

[@cggg490]

so fortunate do see this in the theater.

[@TheChristafershawn]

@@cggg490 I remember it being quite the event as a young boy seeing it opening weekend.

[@dolphenwulf2431]

Beuatiful.

[@gary_payton]

The Frenchman in the movie is acclaimed director and key founder of the French New Wave Movement in cinema, Francois Truffaut. Literally a legend. Functionally equivalent of Christopher Nolan casting Spielberg as a side actor in one his movies. 😮

[@NemeanLion-]

I remember his agreement that his presence was only to be used as an actor.

[@johannes914]

​@@NemeanLion- Truffaut loved the experience. He never witnessed an Hollywood movie been shot. Not the same scale as french movies.

[@robertvandriest-harrington3651]

The French Scientist is modelled after the real life Jaqque Vallee, who is a real life French Scientist and Ufologist!

[@b00jen81]

Yay, glad someone commented this! I grew up on this and Spielberg’s other movies from the 70s and 80s and they mean a lot to me. Then I watched Truffaut’s film, The 400 Blows, as an older teen and it was immediately one of my favorite films of all time. Love that these two impactful cinematic elements combine for me in CE3K 🥰

[@fday1964]

There's a brief clip on KZbin where someone translates what is being said in French when Roy is being questioned by Truffaut and his assistant, played by Bob Balaban. One of the minor characters briefly shown in the background is Lance Hendrickson.

[@krishnamurtiism]

This is one of the most informed, emotional reactions to a film I’ve loved for many years.

[@smoothmove7566]

Barry's mom in this movie is Ralphies mom in A Christmas Story. ; )

[@bayareathrasher666]

She's a dingbat in both!

[@a.fee-oh1328]

Wow I never knew that. I love both movies too and never made that connection.

[@danwest9900]

Good catch!

[@rickbadessa4897]

Do you know where ralphie just said..lol

[@Mike_Huntt]

The actress is the late great Melinda Dillon. She did a lot of film & TV work. But the other one I remember is Songwriter, with Willie Nelson, which apparently was only seen by me 😅

[@Martin-i4o8k]

That shot where the light goes out, showing his work truck sitting by the RR tracks, for some reason is one of my most memorable scenes in a lifetime of movie watching. RIP Teri.

[@algomaone121]

Oh man. Terri Garr died this week at age 79. One of my FAVORITES.

[@RedBarchetta910]

I remember the first time I saw this film when I was a teenager. It had just been released in theaters, and I went with a girl I had an enormous crush on. I can still smell her perfume! I remember how charismatic I thought the French scientist was at the time, not knowing that it was François Truffaut. Now, years later, I teach a course on French New Wave cinema, and I always get an enormous kick out of the way his obvious intelligence and charisma indicated just how special he was to me way back then, even though I knew nothing about him at the time. Great reaction!

[@davidpyorkshire]

As Arthur C Clarke said. "Two possibilities exist. Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying."

[@BillySBC]

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistiguishable from magic." (Arthur C. Clarke)

[@Chockys234]

I prefer Carl Sagan: "The Universe is a pretty big place. If it's just us, seems like an awful waste of space".

[@davidperkins6752]

honestly, i consider the former to be far more terrifying than the latter! for humanity to be alone in the universe fills me with loneliness and dread.

[@JuandeFucaU]

“I'm sure the universe is full of intelligent life. It's just been too intelligent to come here.” ACC

[@c1ph3rpunk]

I suppose a couple extensions to that, one is what if we’re the ones that had the head start, we could be the most advanced. Given the scale of cosmic time, a few million years really isn’t long. Option 2, quantum theory, multiple dimensions and/or universes.

[@doubledown1138]

For me, the definitive Steven Spielberg film. Pure magic. Innocent. Hopeful. Beautiful.

[@markpekrul4393]

Someone else may have already explained this, but the 5 planes in the beginning are supposed to be the five craft from a training flight of five planes which disappeared, likely ditched, in the Atlantic off the Florida coast in December of 1945. No trace ever found. The incident was one of the founding stories in the developing legend of the Bermuda Triangle in the mid-to-late 20th century. It is hard to rank things, and it comes down to personal tastes and experiences, but to me this is Spielberg's finest film - ET is great, Schindler's List is a work of art, but Close Encounters for me represents him at the peak of his story telling/movie making and it is such a beautiful film.

[@gregsteele806]

They did find the planes eventually. Sometime in the 90's I think. I haven't looked up the story in a while. They were in pretty good shape, so they think they soft landed. No evidence of the crews as I recall.

[@markpekrul4393]

@@gregsteele806 They have found some Avengers on the bottom in the general area over the years including, I think, a group of 5 at one point, but never those belonging to Flight 19. Believe they used tail numbers, engine block numbers, etc. to verify. I think in one case there were some they determined were actually pushed overboard for some reason. But, still absolutely no trace of any plane belonging to Lt. Taylor's group. It's a huge, deep ocean out there and those boys were likely far, far off course and out into the open sea when they ditched.

[@gregsteele806]

@@markpekrul4393 Thanks for the information!

[@treadstone1138]

​@@markpekrul4393yeah there's a great book about flight 19 that pretty much details the entire incident. Lieutenant Taylor unfortunately was making a lot of bad decisions during the flight and the rest of the crew of the planes just followed the leader. For whatever reason even though they took off from fort Lauderdale he was convinced they were over the Keys. So they kept flying out to sea when they should have been heading east away from the sun. There's even transcripts of radio messages between planes where some of the other pilots were saying they knew they needed to turn east to get back to Florida but Taylor was refusing to alter course. They eventually ran out of gas and had to ditch in the ocean. It was a bad combination of elements but nothing involving UFOs. If you'd like the book I'd be happy to give you the title and ISBN number.

[@WarriorPoet01]

A search plane also disappeared while searching for the missing pilots

[@blue92blue92]

Your sincerity when speaking about movies. The wonder and joy that you experience while watching them is very refreshing. You don't watch a movie just to tear it down afterwards. You genuinely care about the experience and understand that each movie is a reflection of a person's artistic idea. It is like you understand the idea that some aren't your cup of tea, some you don't mind, and some........some take your breath away. Your reaction to this movie is the reason I enjoy reactions. Because in all the reaction mess that is KZbin. A diamond appears out of the rough. Your joy, excitement, heartache, confusion, frustration, sympathy and sadness while watching this movie is what it is supposed to be about. Thank You for ending my night on a good note.

[@alanmacification]

Steven Spielberg said he was very naive about family life when he wrote Close Encounters. He said today he would never end it that way because he could never imagine leaving his children.

[@NemeanLion-]

I read that also.

[@alharron2145]

Which is why I'm glad he made it when he did, because family does change your perspective on things.

[@8times8]

When Speilberg made this obviously he didn't have kids and by seeing The Fableman's his "almost" biopic, I can see that he was traumatized by divorce. So he was probably seeing the world from the hurt child. When he fathered his own children, he able to have that perspective and in some ways we got to see the spiritual successors to Neary's children in E.T. To this day I kind of imagine Richard Dreyfuss' face when the kids in E.T. talk about their Dad. E.T. plays into the themes of Close Encounters and I love that they are connected but also both very different from eachother. Good filmic companions, as it were.

[@neilbaesel3767]

He's also the guy who wanted to edit out firearms from scenes in ET...like George Lucas, he was a better director in his younger days.

[@starexplorers1202]

There's so much that could have been added at the end of Close Encounters that didn't happen or make it into a later edition. Such is life.

[@janehollander3843]

So happy to see someone love and appreciate this masterpiece the way I do. 💜 Perfect display of Spielberg's uniquely eternal movie magic.

[@PaulC-Drums]

Bro, genuinely crying at the end of Close Encounters of the Third Kind? You are pretty amazing Ames. Seriously one of my favorite people reacting to things. I mean I'm sorry but it's validating to me. I get really touched by moments like these in films, and so, so rarely do I find someone reacting in the same way. So happy to have found your channel. EDIT: even getting emotional when Barry says "bye." Mannnn. I can't with you

[@brantfrans8595]

Wow this movie is incredible. My parents saw it when it first came out. When it was over they said the whole audience gave it a standing ovation. A masterpiece.

[@jamesaugust7498]

Yes. People used to applaud at the end of movies. I don't know why we got away from that. The only time you see it these days is when a bunch of die hard fans go to see some special screening. Maybe the movies just aren't as good. Nah. :)

[@rollmops7948]

RIP Melinda Dillon (the kid's mother) 1939-2023. She was also great in "Absence of Malice" with Paul Newman.

[@michaeldmcgee4499]

And Ralphies's mom in "A Christmas Story".

[@davidhuggan6315]

And RIP Terri Garr

[@yuketage6708]

and Suzanne Hanrahan in Slap Shot.

[@gnericgnome4214]

You noticed the guy who escapes the helicopter with them? He was in Absence of Malice, too.

[@rollmops7948]

@@gnericgnome4214 as the chief of the newspaper? yes ! he was also in "Witness" with Harrison Ford

[@thane9]

Spielberg stated in an interview once that he made Close Encounters before he had kids, and if he had made it later that he wouldn't have had Roy leave his family to go with the Aliens. The power of perspective of the viewer (or in this case the maker) impacts how we experience movies. Great reaction as usual!

[@jimmyb.6272]

Fun fact: a man named J. Allen Hynek who worked with the U.S. government’s UFO investigation Project Blue Book was an adviser and appeared in the film. He is an older gentleman who wears glasses and smokes a pipe at the landing site. I really enjoyed watching your reaction. It really is a beautiful film.

[@hraefn1821]

Wow...project bluebook is such an insane tantalizing oncept. They should totally make a series out of that...oh wait... XD Not like we'll ever see GENUINE eye witness reports but hey, it's the best x-files since x-files. XP

[@rotcod2886]

Search for "Hynek National Geographic", on KZbin. There's a really interesting documentary. Great 👽 stuff

[@hadrianlear1215]

You got there before me with that one I got that from steven greer

[@RustyX2010]

@@hraefn1821 There was an awesome series of Project:Bluebook but it was left on a cliff hanger!

[@Parallax-3D]

Dr. Hynek actually came up with the classification system for UFO encounters that his movie is named after. Close Encounter of the: 1st kind - Visual sightings of an unidentified flying object, seemingly less than 500 feet (150 m) away, that show an appreciable angular extension and considerable detail. 2nd kind - A UFO event in which a physical effect is alleged; this can be interference in the functioning of a vehicle or electronic device, animals reacting, a physiological effect such as paralysis or heat and discomfort in the witness, or some physical trace like impressions in the ground, scorched or otherwise affected vegetation, or a chemical trace. 3rd kind - UFO encounters in which an animated entity is present-these include humanoids, robots, and humans who seem to be occupants or pilots of a UFO.

[@johnquinn8796]

RIP Terri Garr. This movies always brings a certain nostalgia to me from being a kid in the late 70 and 80s. Classic

[@GustavoLovato]

You’re exactly right: John Williams is a vital part of the story telling, magic, and wonder. He and Steven Spielberg make an extraordinary team.

[@KamramBehzad]

I'm 59 (in 2024). I saw this movie when I was 13. In 2000 I worked in the U.S. for 3 months. One of the places I visited was the Devil's Tower. Seeing it for real after 20 years was magical. I lived in North Dakota (Fargo). I drove to South Dakota then all the way west thru South Dakota. Memory of a lifetime.

[@B16pal]

I'm 55 and saw this movie as a teen as well. On a road trip from Texas two years ago to visit family in ND and SD, I made damn sure we took a slight detour so I could finally see Devil's Tower in real life. This movie blew me away as a kid, and stayed with me ever since as one of my all-favorites.

[@KamramBehzad]

@@B16pal 💗

[@antduude]

This film also changed my life, as well, Amy. '77 was an amazing year for movies. In May, we got Star Wars and I fell in love with the film and movies in general. But then, Close Encounters opened that November, and we were all left in awe. I wish you could have seen this on the big screen. It's an all-encompassing experience. Star Wars made me a film fan. But Close Encounters made me want to become a film maker. 2 Fun Facts: To achieve all the flying objects in Roy's truck, Roy Arbogast, the practical effects supervisor, mounted the truck cab on a rotating gimbal, locked the camera down, and literally spun the truck cab 360 degrees around with Richard Dreyfuss strapped in and just reacting to all the maps, paper clips and pens flying around him. The clouds moving and shaping themselves to hide the UFOs was achieved by Douglas Trumbull using colored dyes and injecting them into a massive water tank and filming the different shapes they created. The UFOs in the clouds were colored lights being moved manually to create the illusion of being hidden by the clouds, yet creating reflected light onto the actors. Spielberg was very emphatic about creating the experience of the UFOs realistically casting shadows and light on the live action sets. The smaller UFOs were especially intended to be "ships made of light."

[@camembert101]

Yes,it was a very good year!!!!Really enjoyed those 2 movies when they came out.Even got the soundtrack on an LP for CEOTTK. Another one of the special effects,the "blue dome" over the lights,when the mother ship flips over are supposed to be the lights of L.A. at night,taken from an elevated point. This was 1977 and some of those practical effects were better than some of the digital stuff that is in movies and tv shows right now.Quality and ingenuity stand the test of time.

[@Cre80s]

Right there with ya, brother. I was the ideal age for this shit to hit me right between the eyes. The one-two punch of this and Star Wars, I would just stare at the night sky and wish to see "something happen". Night drives out in the country, I'd have my face resting against cold car windows looking up and replay those scenes. (edit:, not to forget Star Trek the Motion Picture too)

[@gnericgnome4214]

This was one of the first non-threatening space-alien movies.

[@RachelKos]

John Williams' score is just amazing. The end where they're communicating through tones is inspired. I get goosebumps from the end credits.

[@THOMMGB]

Hi Ames! Close Encounters of the Third Kind was HUGE when it came out. The air traffic controllers sequence was done by real air traffic controllers. So cool! And the late great Teri Garr was the mom.

[@TheSuperhomosapien]

George Lucas lost a bet to Steven Speilburg, as Lucas thought Close Encounters would do better at the box office than Star Wars. Lucas ended up paying 2.5% of the box office gross of Star Wars to Speilberg as a result, which ended up being 40 million in 1977 dollars.

[@Eric-ff4bf]

I was about to point out: two iconic Sci-Fi films released in the same year: Close Encounters and Star Wars. Also a big year for the composer John Williams.

[@THOMMGB]

@@TheSuperhomosapien I could be wrong and misremembering, but it wasn’t a bet. They each decided to own a small percentage of each other’s movies. That way, if one was a box office dud he would own a bit of the other and would hopefully, make a little money for the year. Steven Spielberg’s small percentage of Star Wars made him more money than George Lucas’s small percentage of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

[@alienlv426ify]

The actor who played Claude Lamcombe is Francois Truffaut a very famous filmmaker of a new generation of French cinema. He had a profound influence on Steven Spielberg and that's why Spielberg included him in the movie. One of the most famous book on cinema was Truffaut's interview with Alfred Hitchcock. And the music theme at the end of the movie is "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio (1940). For a good reason Pinocchio was mention in the movie.

[@codyt821]

This is one of those films that is an example of the way cinema can truly be magical. I remember watching this for the first time as a teen, at an anniversary screening at my local theater, and the whole film had its hooks in me from the first frame. It’s like it grabbed ahold of me and wouldn’t let go. It’s like for the first time I truly understood what people meant when they talked about the “magic” of movies. There’s such a sense of wonder in this movie, and the characters all feel so real and relatable. The finale had me in tears, and this is absolutely one of the films that made me fall in love with movies. Spielberg truly has a talent for making such magical things appear onscreen, that captivate us, move us, make us feel like the world is much more wonderful and full of magic and adventure than we could possibly know. What a film. Truly, what a film.

[@johnkeenan1829]

My favorite movie when I was a kid, I remember driving up from Moorcroft, coming up over the rise in the road and seeing the tower for the first time. Had to pull off and just sit on the hood of the rental, staring at it. Then I spent the rest of that day hiking all over the rocks at the base. All because of this movie.

[@CollarCityGuy]

Ames I have posted this comment elsewhere but thought you may appreciate it also! My 1st time seeing this at our local drive-in in May of 1978 (Still in operation, glad to say) . Under the blanket of stars it was quite mesmerizing to look from the huge screen to the heavens above to see if there were any strange lights headed our way. An experience i will never forget!

[@noneya3635]

I remember collecting all of the trading cards from this movie. I still have the soundtrack LP.

[@christophero1969]

I remember watching a movie at the Drive-In as a magical experience, mine closed in 1995.

[@jasonward1470]

That's really cool. I grew up in the 70's too, so I got to go to the drive-in a lot, myself, but I wasn't lucky enough to see CE3K outdoors. I'm sure it was magical!

[@Saboteur709]

Same thing happened to me except it was Star Wars! (same year).

[@RealBLAlley]

I saw Close Encounters, Star Trek The Motion Picture, and Battlestar Galactica at our local drive-thru. What an experience.

[@KevinR1138]

I cry at the end too, every time, but only when Barry comes back and hugs his mom. His voice is so sweet and innocent, exactly as Spielberg intended.

[@Blaydedge]

This legendary film represents humanity at its best. Extraordinary talent mixed with life experience and pure imagination...it's humanity, not just taking, but giving back to the universe. Our best music, art, literature, ideas - our best films...the advances we've made that display our evolving understanding. Saying in a clear voice - we're getting it, learning, trying, improving, regardless of the naysayers, the selfish, the destroyers, the haters among us. We're here and we matter. I hope the universe is listening.

[@sreyangovender3404]

Abandoning your wife and children represents humanity at its best? 😒

[@Blaydedge]

@@sreyangovender3404 That's your takeaway from this film? Sounds like you're one of the naysayers.

[@MrBuckoP]

@@sreyangovender3404 his wife and his children went away. She didn't want to come back to Roy... His next mission to leave was his choice.

[@MatthewStephensAU]

07:45 My dad and I both love this movie. One night we were driving home and the road was completely fogged in. A truck was coming the other way, with headlights like that. With the fog, all we could see were the lights. We both made the comment at the same time and cracked up, laughing all the way home. Whenever I see a reaction to this movie, I come straight to this scene.

[@Dej24601]

Devil’s Tower is covered with lichens, so between the type of rocks which make up the tower, and the plant life on it, and the change of seasons, and times of day and overall weather conditions, at times the color can appear more gray, more brown or more green.

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

Loved your reaction; your expressing your questions and emotions as you went was just perfect. You really "got" the movie. I think communicating by a musical language was just such a wonderful idea of Spielberg's. I still shed tears every time I see it.

[@raheemhosein-isolate333]

48:53 "...literally why we go to the frikken movies, people!" - Got it in one xx

[@tanisdevelopment]

0:44 Yep. Spielberg wrote it all by himself (once you remove the credits for Hal Barwood, Jerry Belson, John Hill, Matthew Robbins, and Paul Schrader). The law around screenwriting credits wasn't quite as fair back then.

[@kevinwassledah1153]

This is a top 10 of all time for me. So glad you're doing a reaction to this. Thanks again 😊

[@halon7476]

The air traffic control scene was perfect and brilliant

[@TonyMezz]

"Yeah, I've got one just like it in my living room. Who are you people?" My favorite line in the movie! That snarky, throwaway line as he tosses the drawing of the tower they hand to him. The first line I think of when this movie comes up, and when I read your title today!

[@MadMike1]

They just don't make movies like this anymore DGMW, there's tons of modern films that I love, but there's just something so special and magical about movies like Close Encounters. They're a very strong echo of a bygone era.

[@MrCotocrew]

I was 12 in 1977 and it was amazing to see.. this came out around the same time as Star Wars. My friends and I would lay out on the roof of our house and just look at the stars, hoping to see something..

[@TheChristafershawn]

I remember seeing this opening weekend as a seven year old. Line was around the block and of course sold out every evening showing for weeks. My dad bought me the program booklet with tons of pictures from the movie which I had for many years after. It was a phenomena that blew peoples minds and was incredible to see on the big screen. Everyone was talking about it at school non stop. Star Wars also came out that year. It was a pretty magical time as far as cinema was concerned.

[@Dej24601]

The special fx were supervised by Douglas Trumbull, known for “2001,” and later “Blade Runner.” Trumbull directed an often overlooked sci-fi: “Silent Running,” released in 1972 which has unique effects and storylines. You may enjoy Silent Running, because it also has unexpected emotional aspects, and important commentaries about the future and the present.

[@carlgibson285]

Silent Running is such a great movie. I wish more people would react to it.

[@RealBLAlley]

@@carlgibson285 And Brainstorm.

[@aisle_of_view]

Spielberg is a master at the "parents reunite with the kids" trope

[@earlchatterton9133]

Eight Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Supporting Actress (Melina Dillon), and won for Cinematography, and also won a special achievement Oscar for Sound Editing. Insane to look at the Oscars that year and see Close Encounters and Star Wars nominated for so many awards. We'll never see a year like 1977 again for groundbreaking sci-fi.

[@spackle9999]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone react emotionally like you did to this movie, and I think it's great. I see where you're coming from, and it makes sense. There is so much to leave behind, but for the good of other people. Amazing. Thank you. This reaction was amazing!

[@lewistasso8866]

Ames, you get an A+ for your reaction. I haven't seen anyone online who loved and appreciated this masterpiece this much. I saw this movie with my father and brother when it first came out. Interestingly, my father was much like "Roy" in this movie, except for the aliens, UFOs, the government, and Devils Tower. He also had the same truck and worked for the Department of Public Works. This movie was a family favorite and is very special. I'm glad you appreciated it.

[@bigmamakatethulhu]

Thank you for reacting to this! I feel like this movie is being forgotten these days. Devils Tower is at the top of a bucket list of places that I need to go before I die. I saw this movie in the theater when I was 6 Years old and became obsessed with it through my formative years! It will always be in my top five favorites!

[@algomaone121]

I keep commenting because this film was so important to me when I was ten. This and Star Wars, which came out the SAME YEAR, was a tour de force of film that shaped the way I think and imagine!

[@Johnny_Socko]

I'm the same age, and this is my favorite movie of all time. I have a pretty wide expanse of taste when it comes to movies, but this one has stood the test of time for me, and it's probably because of the way it made me feel when I first saw it. (Masterful filmmaking certainly doesn't hurt, though.)

[@ejtappan1802]

My friends and I were totally obsessed with this movie. So much so that I begged my dad to make a half-day detour from a planned family trip so I could see Devil's Tower up close and in person. He didn't want to at first but in the end he gave in to my 16-yr-old pout-fest and landed himself the forever title of best dad in the world. That 1978 detour was such a special memory for me that when my own son wanted to make a significant detour during a 2012 trip he and I were taking, to see some locations where Doctor Who was filmed in Utah, I was thrilled to make it happen for him.

[@dabe1971]

07:46 Oh Ames, you are fast becoming one of the best reactors out there as you appreciate even these 'old' movies with the same wonder we old folk did when they were first on release. I'm so glad you haven't been spoiled by modern CGI where they can do anything at the touch of a button.

[@peelsreklaw]

Practical effects need to make a comeback!

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

Steven Spielberg is a genius in so many ways, but the way he gets these performances out of people, even in fantastical situations, is so good. He used a lot of tricks to get that realistic performance out the little kid. Great job, all!

[@patrickdepew4976]

The climax of this movie always makes me emotional as well. From Roy fulfilling what he feels he has to do, to all the people returning, to Lacombe's endorsement of Roy, to the ultimate reveal of the aliens. Everything is perfect with very little dialogue and the story being told by John Williams' score, complete with the "When You Wish Upon a Star" motif.

[@evanirvana500]

Would have liked something about the kids he was leaving.

[@patrickdepew4976]

@evanirvana500 I have mixed feelings about that, but his wife took away the kids. She probably wasn't going to let him near then again. So I kind of view that as resolved.

[@evanirvana500]

@@patrickdepew4976 true, except the kids may grow up and think dad abandoned them or mom never allowed them to see him. Either way, it wasn't ideal. Id have preferred he have written a dang letter or something for his kids and kept if they ever looked for him. Or a mention before going on spaceship. Just something to show he even remembered he had kids. I know Spielberg said he wouldn't have done it that way had he to do it over again.

[@TCM215]

The dead fly in my potatoes was an ad lib by that little kid and Spielberg loved it and left it in

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Because it describes the story. Roy goes to the mashed potato mountain and ends up a dead fly.

[@seanobrien798]

I saw this movie in the theater with my dad in 1977. I was seven. It was the first movie I saw in the theater with my dad.

[@NemeanLion-]

I saw it when I was six. Scared the living crap out of me but it was wonderful.

[@TheDoorman55]

Going to the movies with your dad was always special. My first time was in 1960 seeing Ben Hur. I was 5. I didn't know what was going on but I remember loving the chariot race!

[@NemeanLion-]

@@TheDoorman55 I mostly think of the chariot scene when I finally did see it. Did you find out later on that the man that was run over by the chariot died from his injuries? They didn’t edit it out of the film.

[@TheDoorman55]

@@NemeanLion- Yes, I remember reading that. I've never watched that race the same way since.

[@jasonward1470]

That must have been pretty special for you. The first one I saw with my Dad was "Superman the Movie" about a year after this one came out.

[@TiltBrook]

29:45 I guess it’s more of a true statement today regarding the neighbors… But back then, it was much more communal and everybody knew everybody! So back then it was kind of a big deal and more of an embarrassment… Almost like extended family. But you’re right, today, though sad, it generally really doesn’t matter anymore

[@alexanderjensen_spots]

Filmed in my hometown of Mobile, AL. I know a bunch of people who are in it. Including the lady who stands up in the bed of her truck

[@chefskiss6179]

That opener, looks left... looks right... looks up. And later those pointing fingers filling an empty sky. To this day, goosebumps. Btw... Spielberg had said at the time of making E.T. that, when he made Close Encounters, he wasn't a parent yet, and seeing himself as the Dreyfuss character. He was single, care-free and had no hesitation of wanting to see inside the ship and go away on adventures with the aliens. When it came time for E.T. he already had kids and said he had absolutely no feeling or urge to, there was no way he was letting Elliot get on that ship. When they say an artist puts something of themselves in their work, there you go. I feel when he made his 3rd 'aliens from outer space' flick, War of the Worlds, it was the next step that he imbued into the film; and that of the moment when a parent has to realize they have to let go of their child and let them take the reigns at being an adult for themselves.

[@dongirovasi2607]

Disney features quite heavily in this amazing film, from Roy wanting his kids to see “Pinocchio,” to Williams incorporating “When You Wish Upon a Star” into the score, and my favorite, the small UFOs “resembling” Peter Pan, the Darling kids, and Tinkerbell…

[@Wizardofgosz]

Those casserole dishes were from Corning. Corningware. We used to have them all.

[@marcelopaolillo9848]

Thank you for your reaction. You've just saved my Sunday. I love your reactions.

[@Kehvan]

Saw that movie when I was a child.

[@Elementarian]

John Williams will never ever cease to amaze (though obviously this was an early one), and his scores, no matter the film, no matter the tone, always manage to immerse you in the film and the magic of what you're watching.

[@busload_uk]

Fantastic reaction. I love how much empathy you have for the characters and how much insight into the story you gain…especially after having visited Devil’s Tower! I’m somewhat jealous.

[@Kasino80]

Fun fact: both of Phoebe Buffay's parents are in this movie. Teri Garr (rip) and Bob Balaban (the translator and the guy who figured out the coordinates).

[@michaelvincent4280]

I had an incident in '73 and went to see this film in '77 to see what they came up with. The things he used were statements from other witnessed experiences. Was slightly disappointed that they were nothing near mine. My observations were not so spectacular but more aligned with reality. No sparkling lights, no music, no Aliens; just a real 3D vessel passing across my windshield in the dead of night. Only other witness by me drove off at over 100 MPH and I gave up chasing them down. I was able to do three view drawings of it and a model. Always believed that this was a real thing and made me smile inside that I hadn't wasted my time. Why I was shown this I still do not know. But this stuff is real one way or another.

[@floorticket]

The five notes became a "meme" of sorts. People were humming it for years. Jerry Garcia played it going into St. Stephen on 1-22-78.

[@davidhuggan6315]

It opens a door in the James Bond film, Moonraker.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Four notes.

[@paulconnett3654]

I love the emotional reactions from Ames. But I never realized this one would cause heartbreak. An epic movie from my childhood so unbeatable! Thanks for the great reaction Ames and Cheer's Beautiful.x

[@Dej24601]

Seeing (and hearing) this on the big screen as a 70 mm film when it first was released, was an extraordinary experience-very immersive. It was also one of the early films to have the Dolby sound system. Some cities have 70mm Film Festivals, and it might be one of the films being shown. Recommended if you ever get the chance.

[@vermithax]

Goodbye, Teri. I have adored you for most of my life. The world is a lesser place for your having left it, but I hope you have found peace. I love this movie so much -- thank you for this wonderful reaction! You honestly seem to get and appreciate this film in a way none of the other reactors have. Close Encounters is about wonder. Pure wonder.

[@JusBidniss]

I think I first fell in love with Teri Garr in 1968, in _ST:TOS,_ S2 Ep 26, 'Assignment Earth'. She was a secretary, Roberta Lincoln, who thought she'd gotten caught up in Cold War intrigue, but it turned out to be Kirk and Spock, back in time and on Earth, dealing with an enigmatic human representative of an unknown alien power. She was beautiful, and I had such a crush!

[@guitarman8462]

Barry's mother was also in the movie " Harry And The Hendersons ". Must watch

[@Leo-hh9nn]

I really can't help thinking this is Spielberg's and Dr. Allen Hynek's project. Hynek shows up that the end and Lacombe's character is based on Jacques Vallee. These are two prominent researchers from that era. I've heard different stories about the ending of this movie being based on The Holloman AFB encounter and various other cases. It's an enigma, but Spielberg made a good movie about first contact. I'd like to recommend Think Anomalous's UFO/Airline Pilot Episode about Japan Airlines. The Chicago O Hare episode is great too.

[@davidd3948]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Saw like 10 times in the theater. Was a treat to watch you experience it.

[@tsrgoinc]

A lot of people and Spielberg himself have brought up Roy abandoning his family and Spielberg himself said that if he did it again he wouldn’t have Roy leave but I think thats just pandering to people playing happy families. I think this ending is much more believable simply because no one would’ve of believed him, Especially Ronnie. I think it would’ve destroyed the family either way but this way the kids don’t get caught in the crossfire of a divorce if he stays and maybe were young enough that ultimately they would forget him.

[@sreyangovender3404]

Why are you trying to rationalize an unconscionable decision? Roy abandoning his family is one of the worst endings I can imagine. It sours any feeling of goodwill I have towards the movie

[@bucklberryreturns]

Considering how bonkers Roy was, and how much he tore his household apart due to it, if he never left to get full closure there would be no way the family unit would have survived his continued obsession. His leaving, for me, saved his family more abject misery at the hands of the husband and father, and was ultimately the better outcome for all of them.

[@popculturerocks]

I'm glad you FELT this movie. It's an incredible juxtaposition to what we have lost over the last 20 years or so.

[@dallassukerkin6878]

I know the timing must be coincidental but Teri Garr, who plays Richard Dreyfuss's wife here, passed away this week. On more movie based trivia, I still have the heavy bound magazine that was released alongside the film :)

[@ThatBonsaipanda]

23:45 - Probably already mentioned, but one of my favorite scenes: The girl is improvising the 'dead fly in my potato' and Dreyfuss is doing all he can not to crack up. :D Awesome reaction to an awesome movie, A! \o/

[@guscarlson7021]

Rest in peace and in the love of God Teri Garr. We loved you.

[@Keithjmcc]

This was really really popular when it came out. The only two movies I ever got into collecting trading cards was Star Wars and close encounters.

[@marcelopaolillo9848]

You asked how this movie was received in 1977. Well, I know that, I was 11 in 1977, and watched this in a theater (in Brazil) : this movie was a Worldwide Event ! Just imagine looking at the mothership at a gigantic screen !

[@keithmartin4670]

I remember my visceral reaction to the big screen entrance of the mother ship like it was yesterday - 47 years ago.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

"This is literally why we go to the friggin movies, people!" Well said and I heartily agree. And yes, John Williams is the man.

[@no_rubbernecking]

4:01 Ames, for this time and the next 20 years, that statement was perfectly normal and common. Because it was understood by pilots that making a report was a likely career-ending move. You are not the first reactor to misunderstand that. Not sure if that's good or bad, lol. But yeah, what would have been crazy is if they had immediately wanted to.

[@dallassukerkin6878]

I popped into chat to say the same thing :) Reporting UFO sightings was definitely not the best idea back then if you were a professional pilot.

[@holddowna]

oh i get why! haha

[@4thlinemaniac356]

​@@holddownaas was reporting the Truth about The Moon @ Mars Anomalies & Beyond channel, The Bible real translations @ Mauro Biglino & The 5Th Kind & Adam 1414 Channels, AND any truth about these Aliens Our enslavers Not OUR creators living in Antarctica under the Ice plus on the Ancient space Station We call the Moon.

[@4thlinemaniac356]

Misdirection from Spielberg part of the Cabal or WEF ie the Elohim Worship Cult the minions to Our enslavers today @ Jenny Constantine channel Year of the Dragon video featuring C H.

[@no_rubbernecking]

@@4thlinemaniac356 All right now, i never said they were friendly. FWIW, i don't think Mr. Spielberg had a clue _what_ they were. I think he wanted to stimulate discussion and inquiry, regardless of their intent. I also think he, with his screenplay, kind of paid lip service to both paradigms. I think he believed that was the only way to get the information out to the widest possible audience in the shortest possible time. I witnessed a craft at close range in 1994. There's no question they're not on our side. But you, too, are letting yourself get distracted unnecessarily with metaphorical shiny objects. We have a super host in this channel. I can't think of anyone better in the world to edit this and give us her thoughts, through fresh eyes. We owe her maximum respect for that.

[@jamesjackaman8803]

I remember seeing this first time around on the big screen and being just fully immersed and having my breath taken away at the same time. I wasn't able to even talk about the film for 12 or so hours as I was still processing it at the age of 12! I totally agree THIS is why I am hooked on these movies.

[@misterb6416]

RIP Teri Garr, you were such a bright light in everything you did.

[@treadstone1138]

If you want to see another movie with both her and Richard Dreyfuss as a married couple but with a much happier ending, check out the movie Let It Ride. It's a comedy but it's really good.

[@IanJackln-cw5ym]

I love your reaction to this classic movie. Thanks for sharing your emotions .I am a 60 year old Brit, who first saw this movie in the theater in 78 when I was 14 years old . It totally blew my mind.

[@shainewhite2781]

This was the very first Steven Spielberg movie I watched on VHS and ET as well. The very first movie I watched on theaters was JURASSIC PARK, my #1 favorite movie of all time.

[@holddowna]

i only just watched ET in April! it will hit the channel! it also changed me!

[@ariesrcn]

I was in air cadets and loved planes. I was in the navy with my trade dealing with above water warfare and have taught officers aircraft identification. I am total space nerd and love satellite spotting with my family. I say all this because I want to show I am not easily fooled, but one night in Quesnel British Columbia in 2018, I saw somethings in the sky I could not explain, and I was not the only witness to it.

[@jd-zr3vk]

Teri Garr, the long-suffering wife, also played Inga in Young Frankenstein. She was also in Mr. Mom with Michael Keaton, Micheal with John Travolta, and Tootsie with Dustin Hoffman. Tootsie is an Academy Awards winner.

[@Anaj-us4eo]

I thought Andi McDowell was in Michael. I don’t remember Teri Garr in it….

[@stvbrsn]

You left out one other suffering wife character of hers, in Oh God.

[@treadstone1138]

She also was married to Richard Dreyfuss in a comedy called Let It Ride. If you haven't seen it, check it out it's hilarious with a much happier ending. Lol

[@jcp1984again]

This is one of my earliest memories of watching a movie. I was enthralled by Spielberg's magic tricks, and also scared out of my mind some of the time. Because of experiencing films like Jaws, Close Encounters and Jurassic Park in my early years... I feel I owe my whole career in pop culture to Steven's work and legacy.

[@KennethJaeger]

If the director is Steven Spielberg, the composer is John Williams ... (almost) always

[@Artman1991]

TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE, THE COLOR PURPLE, BRIDGE OF SPIES, READY PLAYER ONE and WEST SIDE STORY would beg to differ.

[@TheDemonicPenguin]

@@Artman1991 Exceptions that prove the rule, but yes.

[@KennethJaeger]

@@Artman1991 Yes, West Side Story would be Leonard Bernstein not Williams. The Color Purple was the first time Spielberg directed a movie with a score from someone other than Williams (Quincy Jones). Actually, I did not even realize Spielberg directed Ready Player One (maybe thought it was Zemeckis, shame on me), but it makes sense that the composer would be Alan Silvestri instead (another favorite of mine).

[@TheDemonicPenguin]

​@@KennethJaeger Williams was credited as "consultant" on West Side Story. David Newman did the adaptation of the Bernstein score to fit the film.

[@lightyagami1752]

This is my favourite movie ever. I was born in 1974 and I remember the ads in the newspaper for the film. My first actual exposure to the story was through a picture book for kids. I saw the actual movie later. And many times since, with the different cuts. A lot of people think ET was his alien masterpiece. But I know this movie takes the crown.

[@mikerhodes8454]

Nearly 50 years later and I still remember the series of hand signs to talk to aliens.

[@8times8]

To this day, I greet my sister with this hand sign. Especially, If we haven't seen each other in a while.

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

The hand signs and musical tones mean "H-e-l-l-o". When a letter is repeated, the second one drops an octave to clarify that it's a repetition of the same letter.

[@CR3271]

7:44 the "car" going over Roy's truck instead of around is one of my favorite shots in the movie. It just makes me laugh every time.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

In the theatre, everyone hooted!

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