Discovery Of A WWII Plane (Opening Scene) | Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Voyage

[@richmondstevenj]

Summer movies growing up, sitting in an air conditioned theater and being completely immersed in a great story. Thanks Mr Spielberg.

[@nel1962]

true. But close encounters came out in the fall/winter of 1977

[@castlearghhh6023]

@@nel1962 In Pensacola Fl we still needed AC in the Fall 😉 Saw it four times in the old theaters. Star Wars holds the record at 7. Those were some great years.

[@beverlyweber4122]

@@castlearghhh6023 Four or maybe five for me! I couldn't get enough of it!

[@jaygill5582]

Dude your comment is like a straight up gangsta... right on!!!

[@MusicAsWeMakeIt]

Right on!! I saw Jaws in the theater, the weekend it came out in a small town called Haliburton in Ontario.

[@jpsned]

My dad was in the Navy in 1945 and worked as an aircraft mechanic ("Aviation Machinists Mate"). I remember when he and I saw this movie together in 1977. He got real excited about this scene, because he had actually worked on this type of airplane--the Grumman TBM Avenger. He recognized all the switches and dials and said he could have sat in that cockpit and started the plane himself. Seeing the Avenger again after 32 years was a real nostalgia trip for him! 😀❤️

[@donpaul258]

Cool

[@Rick_27739]

Greate

[@davebartosh5]

One of the things I like about Speilberg. He pays attention to detail and is a history buff. There's a couple of goofs in this movie, but not realted to details like that.

[@jpsned]

@@davebartosh5 👍

[@dannwan8537]

@@davebartosh5 Like what scenes?

[@Twister051]

Haven't seen this opening scene in over 40 yrs. Good heavens, it's still perfect....the wind, the shouting, reading off the engine block serial numbers, flipping the battery on. Man!, Spielberg is a freaking artistical genius.

[@Captain-Cosmo]

I remember watching this many times in the movie theatre when it came out. There was always a few chuckles when the moving lights peering out of the desert sand revealed themselves to be attached to an earthly vehicle instead of a spaceship! Of course, Spielberg played with the idea later when Richard Dreyfuss is stopped at the railroad tracks and the "vehicle" lights drove up behind him... and then began to rise into the air. This was Spielberg at his best. What a shame it was followed by 1941. Thankfully, he redeemed himself with Raiders next.

[@MoragTong_]

Was.

[@davecrupel2817]

I think it's time you run through this movie again my friend. 😊

[@slipyourhips]

Is

[@orionred2489]

Ya know, I was thinking the same thing. Saw it ALONE as an 11 year old in southern Ohio! Had NO idea it was this intense.

[@toomuchdrivetothrive]

Summer blockbusters in the 70s, 80s, and 90s were a thing of beauty. The music and cinematography were so good.

[@cdubs9918]

Probably one of the greatest opening scenes in movie history. It sucked you in right from the beginning. Spielberg is a genius.

[@l337pwnage]

Well, predictable at least, starts out with WWII, lol. 🤣

[@dantyler6907]

Kubrick is the genius. Spielberg just makes money.😊

[@stevencurrie1540]

Agree I can still remember seeing it in the theater in Abilene Texas west gate mall theater my first love Tina and AEROSMITH the sound of my younger self sound track of my favorite band

[@haydenwalton2766]

ahh, remember when people who made films knew what they were doing ?

[@santannavalter]

@@dantyler6907 Kubrick was not a genius, was an excentric man. There´s a difference.

[@irishtino1595]

Saw this in 1977 at our local palatial silent movie theatre built in 1927 (seats over 3,000). Amazing in wide format, will never forget that screening and the walk back home at midnight. Magic.

[@clays1507]

Just saw in a huge theater screen again in 2024. Amazing 47 yrs later

[@UmbrellaWatch]

miss those days

[@NWAWskeptic]

This movie is closer in time to WWII than it is to today. Meaning a brand new airplane from when the movie was made is older today than that WWII airplane was at the time of filming.

[@SKYNET734]

“No one, these planes were reported missing in 1945” does anyone get chills when that music hits after he says that??

[@TK42138]

Yes.

[@ctg6734]

Still do.

[@tolsondwiggins6724]

Sort of, but since the mystery of Flight 19 (these planes) has been solved I can't say I do as much anymore. It's interesting because at the time this movie was made this scene was actually based on a true story that was unsolved.

[@Kfinnerty127]

Omg yes!!!

[@RudeRaptor]

But they look brand new

[@larsfillmore4765]

Makes me want to watch the whole film again right now... brilliant!

[@johnsmetanick745]

One thing I love about this scene is how it subtly sprinkles in the core themes that’ll run throughout the rest of the film: - Lights coming out of darkness - “Are we the first?!” implying a race to a destination -. A communication difficulty brought about by language differences - A resolution to the communication problem that ends amicably - Inexplicable aircraft

[@AndrewGivens]

Yes, very good - and mashed potato. No, that was Bodger & Badger, I'm getting mixed up now.

[@Mike_Costello]

Including someone who softly hums in the background the first three notes of the famous tune. Turn the sound up. It's at 5:51

[@OOTurok]

@@Mike_Costello Good catch. It's barely noticable. I would've never noticed if I hadn't read your comment.

[@thereisaplace]

@@Mike_CostelloGreat catch! Thanks for that.

[@margaretfitzgerald7187]

Please type up your report and submit it by 11:59 tonight. 🧑‍🚀👽🥸

[@richardknott2021]

One of the best movies ever..there are also messages in this movie.

[@brianjob3018]

Yes. But after Spielberg bragged to Reagan during a WH screening something along the lines that they were two among the very few (in '77) that knew the truth about aliens, why didn't he communicate more explicitly and accuretely to the masses through his medium the movies such truth? Are we not worthy? Are we not ready? ?, ?, ?!.

[@Brocktoon68]

.

[@bobabooey4537]

There are messages in every movie lol.

[@edmundkockenlocker4672]

It doesn't matter whether you believe in ET or not, this film was and still is a thing of stunning beauty in every way. Back then film making was still a form of art.

[@Neildo430ci]

My Mother and Aunt had a Close Encounter on the Navaho Reservation in the Early 60's. Walking from lantern lit house to house 1/4 mi. Apart at night. They had a flashlight. Going to get Suger in a mason. Half way she pointed it up in the sky...

[@johnharrington1800]

you hit in right on the head.

[@Digiornoflocka]

Right cause no other movie since 1977 has been held to the esteemed quality of art you claim this film to be. Not a single one.

[@edmundkockenlocker4672]

@@Digiornoflocka and that's my opinion, dipshit. If you don't like it, then it's your problem, not mine.

[@deker0954]

This movie does not push anything. It's themes are fun and they reach deep. The old guy was not crazy. He was overjoyed.

[@chiphowell4063]

This is one of the best movie openings I've seen in a long, long time. Everything is paced, perfectly, and then there's the really eerie line: "He says the sun came up last night. He says it sang to him." That is some amazing writing and direction and acting. This whole movie is a class act.

[@work90]

I'm 20 and I Agree. Movies now have been ruined by following the marvel formula, where everything is jokes

[@FatherMullet]

@@work90 If you're old enough you'd know Marvel saved cinema. People stopped going to the theaters gradually until the MCU came. Movies were growing of terrible quality. Now that cinema is oversaturated with what's saved it. It's time for a change. We've been getting great movies here and there outside of Marvel. Hopefully there will be a great balance

[@work90]

@@FatherMullet yea that is very true. Doesn't mean we can't critiscise it

[@FatherMullet]

@@work90 I didn't say or insinuate that 🤷🏿

[@Hibbs4Prez]

Marvel did not save cinema. Get a grip.

[@wton]

By subtle details like having 3 languages in this scene, Spielberg finds a way to prove its a nightmare trying to communicate even if we live in the same planet, that's why music is universal 🙂

[@fatdaddyeddiejr]

Music and math are the only universal languages in the world.

[@MudderShmucker]

Makes it all the better being scored by the legendary John Williams

[@mjmcc-]

Beautifully said. 😊

[@alexmartin3143]

I’m a dummy… I’m like I heard French and Spanish what’s the 3rd? English… English was the third… 😅

[@gochem3013]

My main three languages. English, French, Spanish. The question is... Does Spanish originate in Spain?

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

1977 was closer in time to WWII and the use of these planes than 1977 is to present day. Let that sink in. I went to see this movie with my dad when I was 13 years old with my dad. We were a family of die hard Trekies and this movie connected our world to space travel in a very different way from Star Trek.

[@bluskytoo]

mind blown 🤯

[@Timbrock1000]

Yeah, it was only 32 years after the end of WWII

[@GaryCameron]

They could do a sequel where the ones who left in 1977 come back with the ETs.

[@ralfonseca]

... and now I have to watch the whole movie for the millionth time... Thanks Voyage!

[@mycontribution737]

Damn your right. Me too. Enjoy Sir.

[@babaofett2165]

Two great movies in 1977, both with incredible opening sequences, Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In both cases, you don't know what is going on but it becomes clear a short time later. A great year for movies.

[@balung]

Explains the Wow signal, great marketing ploy by Lucas and Spielberg.

[@Bo_Nidle]

The 70’s were a great decade for movies. A long way from where we are now unfortunately.

[@markusallen5634]

Fun fact that most people don't know, is that Lucas made a bet with Spielberg that Close Encounters Of The Third Kind would make more money at the box office on opening day than Star Wars, of which of course he ended up losing that bet.

[@RIUUI007]

1977 also saw Slap Shot being released :) And Melinda Dillon was in both Close Encounters as well as Slap Shot.

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

A year later Superman

[@mhansl]

Balaban yelling “wheres the crew?!” will always give me chills. It sets the tone for the whole movie. Spielberg is truly a genius.

[@eldiablo3794]

Don't the pilots return at the end of the movie unaged when the aliens bring the humans they ubducted back?

[@mhansl]

@@eldiablo3794 yes.

[@soulandfire9252]

The way he backs away from the camera and the sand fills the shot. Isolated and eventually obscured. Seems to echo the feeling we all get when faced with unanswered questions. Much like Roy was for a good part of the of the film. A common human experiance.

[@jamesfields2916]

He should have said " Get a good look Costanza?"

[@michaelcoffman4185]

What really set it for me was the scene in the airport when the supervisor told the atc to ask if they wanted to make it official, Do you wish to report a UFO?

[@mattaus]

"Were we the first to arrive?" - The whole premise for the movie in the opening line. Awesome movie, awesome director.

[@WILLNOTCOMPLY72]

A member of a classified government org. Just testified in front of Congress yesterday that the government has been actively capturing UFOs and E.T.s for decades.

[@blackholeentry3489]

Nope.....Arcturian Astronauts beat us!

[@zchris87v80]

Spielberg has done so much in his career. Most touching being Band of Brothers, but almost all the movies I remember from my childhood were connected to him.

[@larrydrozd2740]

The detail of taping the gauges ..... just perfect!!

[@danpolk]

Engine starts, everyone runs and stands next to the spinning propeller and waves their hands. LOL.

[@Sashazur]

And he doesn’t warn anyone before starting it…

[@bobcastro9386]

@@Sashazur If the man in the cockpit had yelled "Clear Prop!" as protocol requires, would anyone have been able to hear it over the wind?

[@silvercyborg1276]

One of the best sci FI movies of all times. Very well written and directed. One of the most realistic movies ever produced.

[@Ashfaq1999]

Agree 💯

[@DarkForcesStudio]

This opening scene was an awakening for me. It gripped me. I was 11. I snuck in the cinema without paying. For the first time I realised there was a thing called "screenwriting". I could sense the minds of the people behind the screen. This intro had everything - intrigue, energy and action. it dropped us into the centre of a story and left us wanting to know more.

[@Klassiker-]

Best opening scene ever!

I agree

[@ianbideshi1458]

Absolutely the best opening scene in the history of film

[@peterwinters8587]

Its so awesome it almost beats Once Upon A Time In The West

[@TH33QUALIZ3R]

I'm thinking 'A New Hope' but you may have actually swayed me. It does seem to have everything.

[@damiensullivan440]

The intro was brilliantly done . Set the tone for a superb movie .

[@Ingens_Scherz]

What a movie. Even now, half a lifetime later, I still get excited just seeing bits of it like this!

[@CBeard849]

My Grandpa trained as a rear gunner on that aircraft type and was assigned to the Enterprise just before the war ended. This movie is still a great one to watch because it was well made. Such realism can really make you feel you're part of the show.

[@nicolatesla5786]

One of Steven Spielberg's greatest movies that he's ever directed. The man is an absolute Master storyteller when it comes to directing movies

Every. Single. Scene. in this movie is perfection.

[@barryalken4733]

Speilberg masterpeice..just a 6 minute clip tells a whole story

[@marksenter3700]

I never get tired of this scene. One of my all time favorite aircraft scenes ever. Makes me almost forget the movie is about aliens.

[@Jedzelex]

It's not really a movie about aliens as much as it's a commentary of the times when it was made. The Kennedy assassination. The Watergate scandal. The moon landing. And of course, the whole Area 51 incident. That's the time when people started to come up with conspiracies in regards to the government. This movie is about the government trying to cover up a major event. And it shows how it would've affected regular people. Not just those at the top.

[@JAI45624]

CIA, SPIELBERG TELLING A STORY

[@Koldeman]

Man, I miss when Spielberg made movies like these. They were chock full of imagination, creativity, and incidental characters that were quirky & interesting. His early movies had a raw realism despite the outlandish & fantastic circumstances it took place in. Nowadays his movies are almost too polished & seem over-produced.

[@chazofalsa]

I disagree I feel like the movies that were too polished and over-produced were BFG and Ready Player One. But yes I'm huge fans of his movies they're full whimsy but also can be full of suspense and grim as well. I saw West Side Story and I thought it was one of his best even better than the original I must say (no offense.) Alot of his movies are shot like musicals now that I think about it.

[@rickster100100]

He grew up.

[@MCO18]

I think Lincoln is excellent

[@work90]

@@rickster100100 if you consider 30 years old like a 5 year old then yes

[@deker0954]

I know fun when I see it and this is fun.

[@BeazleyStudios]

When I first saw this movie as a kid, I didn't understand the magnitude of finding those planes. Great opening scene.

[@roquefortfiles]

Flight 19 is a true story. It is not made up for the film. An entire squadron of TB Avengers disappeared in WW2

[@Noname-xi7xi]

@@roquefortfiles Yes but were not abducted by Aliens, not at all.......😏.....simply lots of confusion that day......🤫

[@jare9048]

@@roquefortfiles actually it was a few month after the end of WWII (in december 1945)

[@roquefortfiles]

The transitions in this film are so fabulous. As Balaban backs up and takes in the gravity of what they've found and the dust wipes across him... John Williams music shimmers. Fabulous stuff.

[@DanHalper]

@@jare9048 World War II did not end in 1945 -- fighting in Ukraine continues to the present day

[@kailaniandi]

This is one of the best motion pictures of all time. Absolutely amazing screenplay, direction, and acting. Better epic story than anything else in the last twenty plus years.

[@blackholeentry3489]

Even after almost 100 years, it's still one of my favorite sci/fy movies.

[@cybervigilante]

And no sequel. OTOH, Star Wars has been sequeled to death.

[@davidrheaton]

Saw this when it first came out in theaters, and this scene still gives me goosebumps today. Utter perfection.

[@irresistablejewel]

Saw this when it first came out in theaters, but assumed it was going to be some kind of dramatized documentary (which it is not) about alleged alien encounters; so I was rather puzzled for about the first twenty minutes of the movie, until reality set in. I think it was the cops chasing the UFO's scene that finally convinced me. Great movie, still makes me laugh.

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

sadly never got to see this in theaters cause I was born that year only saw it on VCR as child in 85

[@Actheman1978]

This movie is masterpiece. Best sci-fi movie ever made.

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

we love to overstate our love for things

[@thefatkid604]

My dad was in the Navy in 1945 and worked as an aircraft mechanic ("Aviation Machinists Mate"). I remember when he and I saw this movie together in 1977. He got real excited about this scene, because he had actually worked on this type of airplane--the Grumman TBM Avenger. He recognized all the switches and dials and said he could have sat in that cockpit and started the plane himself. Seeing the Avenger again after 32 years was a real nostalgia trip for him!

[@AndyP998]

that first 15 seconds its eerie and quite scary, still my fav spielberg film after 40 years

[@austinrick]

From blackness to dust storm with a gut punch from the orchestra!

[@Emgee78]

We watched this movie in geography class back in 1993 because of the interpreter/cartographer dude; at the time we were learning about maps and latitude and longitude. Our teacher was only going to show us a few scenes, but ended up letting us watch the whole thing.

[@Noname-xi7xi]

This scene is epic, just like the entire movie to be fair, to me it's one of the best opening scenes in movie history......👏👏👏

[@storminboy]

It's so believable. Every viewer is lost in this great movie from start to finish.

[@AndrewGivens]

I *literally* looked up the opening scene of 'Predators' last night and the comments were full of this level of praise as an opening too. Some movies really pull you straight in.

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

@@AndrewGivens you can find "this is literally the best thing ever" said about anything if you look far enough, with the almost same level of certainty. seems its just an easy quick expression about how much you like it. OP here had the insight to add "to me" luckily

[@padawanmage71]

This scene was so powerful. They really don’t make films like this anymore.

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

I pray daily that they never remake this classic Hollywood would ruin it like it has everything in the past decade

[@garyaugustus1009]

At the end, when the scholar puts his hands in his jacket pockets and starts backing up slowly, looking left then right....he knows he's in way over his head.

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

that is indeed what the director conveyed

[@woodysmith2681]

Less "over his head" and more disquieted because, while he knows the purpose of the mission, it's now both REAL and IMMEDIATE. Hence the look upward. It's not spoken but he know they are looking for signs of UFOs but was not aware that they were looking for such immediate signs like the airplanes being returned.

[@JasonGabler]

They cut out his voice from the original . He backed away he shouted, "I'm not saying it's aliens, but... it's aliens."

[@MCO18]

Lacombe is played by François Truffaut, who was one of the leading filmmakers of French New Wave cinema

[@mf5202]

Thanks for mentioning this. Truffaut acted in few films. Funny factoid: Spielberg was honored he agreed to do Close Encounters. Truffaut told him he was good with kids, which inspired him to do E.T.

[@keithrobinson2980]

Who cares? The French are gutless cucks.

[@davidhabert]

The character that François Truffaut plays is based on an actual French ufologist, his name is Jacques Vallee. Fun fact. After Dr J.Allen Hynek (who does play a cameo in this movie) passed away. Jacques Vallee added Close Encounter of the forth and fifth kind, (CE-4 and CE-5) to the "scale" that Hynek created to classify what category a UFO case falls under. A CE-4 is an abduction case. A CE-5 could either be communication with a UFO (the witness doesn't necessarily need to abducted) or it could mean that the individual is known as a "repeater witness", this means that they encounter UFOs on a regular basis.

[@TralfazConstruction]

2:56 _"No, no, they're General Motors!"_ I worked at the GM Fisher Body Ternstedt Plant in Ewing Township, New Jersey, where there is a good chance these (one, all?) were built. During WWII the plant became an Eastern Aircraft War Plant. There were pictures in the front offices of planes moving down the final check line (that area became the Steel Bay) before they got a splash of gas and were then taxied across the street to what is now the Mercer County Airport. Our Personnel Manager, the esteemed Ted Cannon, was able to find an airworthy Avenger to fly-in for Fisher Body's 75th anniversary in 1983. The large relic of another time was displayed right where it would have rolled out of the plant 40 years or so earlier. I appreciated working at that plant for General Motors and accruing enough time to retire. I was a small part of something really wonderful.

[@mimsnshine]

That Grumman Insignia at 3:55 on small hatch😍 is Gorgeous!!

[@geraldojorgedalmaschio9648]

Please, don't remake this film.

[@stephenkolostyak4087]

But they must remake this film so they can glorify "the message" with out and proud gayliens!

[@seamusotoole8582]

Thinking about lgbt all the time is pretty gay dude ​@@stephenkolostyak4087

[@crruan1142]

Can't make a remake of something real.

[@3182john]

@@stephenkolostyak4087 must be afraid of your true calling… otherwise you wouldn’t be yelling about homosexuals. Come on out of the closet, boy…

[@claytonbouldin9381]

Don't give them any ideas!

[@kyle381000]

I'll never forget the first time I saw this scene in a theatre when the movie was first released. When they flipped the switches and fired up the engine, it was chilling. What a great show, from beginning to end.

[@DarrellCook-vl6lm]

And who or what turned off the switches? And if this flight disappeared at sea in flight why was the landing gear down? Turned off? What? Makes me think something something something...er...never mind.

[@kyle381000]

@@DarrellCook-vl6lm I would suggest that any intelligent life capable of intercepting and capturing Flight 19 intact would also be capable of flipping a few switches...

[@roquefortfiles]

One thing I love about this scene is the ending and how it transitions. Steven brackets his scenes like a stage play. He gives the scenes a moment, a breath. Balaban steps back and takes a moment. The screen wipes with wind and dust. John Williams music shimmers................. Brilliant!!! You don't see scenes like that today.

[@mashour101]

one of the best opening scenes that ever made in cinema history

[@billblaski9523]

What's happening here?

[@storminboy]

Wthout a doubt!!

[@castlearghhh6023]

And the scene that follows may be even better.

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

i also tend to overstate my enjoyment of scenes

[@toulouse2k]

One of my favorite parts of the movie...the slow burn...seeing an amazing sight that turns out to be quite normal....the sense of atmosphere...the music..

[@kennethfink7060]

I was blessed enough to see this opening week, at Southwyck Mall in Toledo, OH. That black screen sequence with the blast of the score and really bright first scene set the tone for the entire film. Edge of the seat from then on. Amazing masterpiece of a movie.

[@dorseykindler9544]

I remember seeing my first movies in the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Back in the mid to late 80s. Those were the days!

[@DarrellCook-vl6lm]

The black screen to the dust storm made me think they had really abrupt mornings. Thus the dust. Wouldn't want to live there, I'd hate mornings like that.

[@michelgouverneur885]

i saw 4 times this movie and never to grow tired ...one of the nice movie ever made

[@medsuit1686]

To this day, still top 5 sci-fi movies ever made.

[@terry9325]

If that opening scene doesn’t get your attention, nothing will .👽👽👽🛸Bloody brilliant.

[@spookedhorse]

Saw this flick the weekend it premiered in the 70's. This still gives me chills. Perfect execution and acting.

[@keithbell9348]

With these opening scenes, I didn't know WTH was going on. I had no idea thst this movie that everyone was raving about, was a documentary. It had that look. And I thought I walked into the wrong theatre. But I sat thru it. So glad I did. It turned out to be an experience that stuck with me for months afterwards!

[@twilightgamedesigns4887]

Obviously one of the reasons this and movies like it hold up so well is because at their heart they are just great story telling.

[@terminal-velocity111]

That’s when movies relied on a STORY and a decent director.

[@Sickofsociety1]

And had good writers and good actors and everything was done to the best for the era. Now obviously we have a bunch of garbage. There are a few genuinely good movies but seems as though 40 years ago they were rolling out great quality movies every week.

[@BrobraKai]

That’s back when they actually paid story writers and actors

[@russ254]

needs 12 girl bosses

[@KnowYoutheDukeofArgyll1841]

That's why I prefer the low budget film makers and fan mafe films you get on YT. The passion is there to be seen. Something modern day Hollywood did away with ages ago, and started adding politicised agendas into their films.

[@chefbillybaroo2056]

I watched it in the movie theaters in 1977 and it gave me goosebumps then and still gives me goosebumps now I think I'm going to buy it and re-experience it thumbs up

[@roquefortfiles]

Spielberg's scene transitions are fabulous. When Balaban backs away and the screen wipes with dust and Williams mysterious music. Magic

[@THOMMGB]

My friend and I were all hyped up about this movie when it first came out. We saw the first showing on the first day in a really nice theater. So good! Some things in life you never forget.

[@DarrenMarsh-kx8hd]

One of the best opening scenes, Stephen Spielberg really knew his craft back then.

[@spikespa5208]

Knew his easter eggs, too. They're in there.

[@chuckadams4400]

Best damn opening of any movie I've ever seen...a masterpiece indeed...

[@RonTelevison]

Greatest opening cut ever. It’s crazy how music created suspense and a scare moment out of a simple cut from black. Lawrence blowing out the match/hard cut to sunrise is right up there too.

[@superbirden57]

Spielberg is an aircraft enthusiast for sure. So many of his movies have aircraft in them. Especially circa WW2 aircraft.

[@jkorshak]

His dad was in the Army Air Corps during the war.

[@puraydura]

you can see Roy Neary on the WW2 bomber A-26 invader in "Always".

[@HailAnts]

Something I loved about this movie, it was made at the height of the 70s UFO craze, and even though these characters all work for the govt, there was no 60s 'govt is evil' vibe to it. These guys always came across as the good guys. They were secretive yes, but once you realize the magnitude of what they were working on, you knew it _had_ to be kept secret! And from the first time I saw it in the theater (though I didn't know it at the time) to today, I still recognize that opening chord as being pure John Williams!

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

well, thank you for not being a weirdo about aliens

[@SunriseArtsCinema11]

Spielbergs shots and reveals are so incredible. Also notice that he ofter uses an action within a scene like this to establish more layers. Here its the wind and dust. Always something going on.

[@roquefortfiles]

The wind and dust transition is amazing. The slight build up of the score and then having the actor disappear off the screen to the next scene... it is scintillating

[@thecarolinashreds196]

One of the best opening scenes ever!! Starting off with the trainers that were lost in the Bermuda Triangle right after WW2. Awesome

[@thedealer777]

I haven't seen this movie in DECADES! Despite the passage of time, and the fantastical tale, it holds up. The film-making HOLD UP!

[@davidcolantuono3622]

"Present Day" Me: It's 2021, though I wish 1977 was the present day now.

[@jgrab1]

I love the way the extra-terrestrials leave the airplanes in a junkyard. They mustn't think much of our technology!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

The ETs in this film are not very nice, actually.

[@Paladin_Green]

Just think of the pilots. Must of been tested on.

[@coolcat6303]

That’s probably because the aliens 👽 were only interested in our ppl. Ppl who got beamed up onto a giant spaceship and traveled thru space, at incredible speeds, for 30+ years without aging a day. Lucky bastards.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@coolcat6303 Kidnapping?

[@kingofthenorth2297]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver borrowing.

[@chrisconnors7418]

Saw this in a theatre when it was released. I went in knowing very little about it. I still remember the goosebumps I got from the first scene; and I remember the collective gasp of the audience when the spacecraft first dwarfed Devil’s Tower. On screen it was powerful. I finally got to see Devil’s Tower in person 30 years later. I hiked all the way around it and thought about the film. No easy way up though as shown in the film. Maybe I should have sculpted a 3D model first? :)

[@Ididntaskforahandleyoutube]

I would have meant something. 😊

[@saulgoodman6683]

What a great opening scene - perfect acting and camera angles. It's the "slow reveal" mastered to perfection in cinema.

[@axiomist1076]

What a great film, what a great story. This scene is one of the best .

[@clemdaph1]

Just seeing those beautiful and majestic aircraft there...... I can't begin to describe the emotions.

[@gkroll8467]

Berg said he would have gone In the ship when he didn’t have kids now that he’s got a family he wouldn’t go most men who have families and a nagging wife should go on the shop fast to get away from their b s

[@brettbroadbere2614]

They simply don’t films of this calibre anymore. An absolute classic…

[@patrickcarr4779]

I’ll never forget sitting in a dark theatre and having the screen suddenly be blindingly bright. I have absolutely no belief in alien visitation or abduction, but I still love this movie.

[@SquirrelTheater]

“El Sol salio a noche y me canto.” Such a powerful bit of dialogue! 🤙🏻😎

[@cinthiaforest4690]

Me too

[@WilliamBrothers]

My dad was in Florida with the USAAC when this flight disappeared. He remembers hearing talk amongst all military in the area about confusion on how absolutely all crews and planes were lost

[@mikestory2269]

It's because, Floridaaaaaa..... It is a helluva druuggg..... Floridaaaaaa.......

[@wmwardwell]

I will re-watch this movie frequently until I'm gone. Mr Spielberg, YOU are a GENIUS !! Thank You for helping to make MY years on the earth positive ones of learning and holding dear !

[@Woody615]

I love this movie, particularly this scene. I am a cartographer by education, trade, and training, so I love that a cartographer had an important role. Seeing it with my college girlfriend didn't hurt either. 🙂

[@roquefortfiles]

Scuse me . This first number is a longitude

[@jjdillon23]

He says the sun came out last night. He says it sang to him.

[@marktwain368]

And burned the skin off the right side of his face!

[@davewanamaker3690]

Has to be one of the greatest lines in an opening scene of all time!

[@conlangshowcasing2690]

@@marktwain368 The skin looks like it's still there like it was NEVER melted off. Take a better look.

[@coolcat6303]

@@conlangshowcasing2690 Yeah it’s just a sunburn from the intense light of the UFO 🛸

[@gato0082]

❣️😁👀🌞🌑🌞🎤🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎵🎶

[@jamesboulger8705]

The international feeling is really captured when you got three people translating through eachother.

[@me5768]

This was such a great movie way ahead of its time.

[@jimiworkhorse2212]

YOU GET A FLOOD OF EMOTIONS WATCHING THIS SCENE

[@roquefortfiles]

So right. Steven makes you feel the emotions. Directors today dont know how to do that. Even 45 years later people still say they get shivers watching this. You dont hear things like that with today's Hollywood

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

@@roquefortfiles you do, but not from movies that anybody has ever heard about. this is much like shortsighted commentary on music from fudsters, the people complaining haven't looked hard enough to find what they like

[@roquefortfiles]

@@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat I have absolutely no idea what that is supposed to mean. Defeat your shmeat? You're not one of those oddball weirdo's who just have to go against the grain on everything....?

[@michaelryan6947]

The moment Laughlin slowly looks up to the sky...realising what this means, subtle yet eerily chilling...

[@Big73Bang]

I remember seeing this in the theater in 1977 when I was kid in Landover, Maryland. People were in stunned silence for this scene, they couldn't register in their heads the weight of what was being said so they were just in stunned silence.

[@arbjful]

What was the weight of being said here?? Could you explain to me please

[@Big73Bang]

@@arbjful People were just not smart enough to understand that a UFO unlike anything anyone had ever heard of or experienced visited the man. It would be like you going into the Amazon, meeting a tribe that has never been to or know of the modern world and you then showing Facebook on your cell phone to them.

[@yarbles67]

The weight. The planes went missing in 1945 on a training mission in florida. They re-materialize in 1977, operational condition, minus the pilots. The serial numbers on the engine block confirm that these planes were part of the legendary missing squadron.

[@gkroll8467]

Speiljew didn’t know weather to make this serious or a comedy close encounters with the 3rd reich

[@Wailwulf]

@@yarbles67 As to operational condition, the engine being in shape to start running after all those years is one thing, but the fuel having not turned to dried varnish and battery power still good enough to start the engine should have been impossible. For those characters, that is a mind blowing event...

[@Harrison2253]

This was a great start to this movie

[@johne.christensen7147]

Cinematography was absolutely superb.

[@RogueWJL]

Second only to JAWS and easily top five of my favourite movies. Still gives me chills and goosebumps all these years later.

[@TheTillypig]

The music score had a very powerful impact especially the sudden loud instrument at the start of the film is gets me every time.

[@jenteal6koala]

Chills. Brilliant. Enough said.

[@mechanix1228]

Such a badass and mysterious opening that just hooks you right away.

[@heimlichvonbladderburst8348]

The Whitworth threaded bolts on the Landrover wheels is a great touch.

[@jimid9240]

A truly wonderful comment 😊

[@hanscombe72]

So many great Spielberg moments. The reveal of the aircraft against the scrapped cars. The fact that it didn’t seem to be a big deal that all the engine blocks checked out. The way someone knew how to start the engines and the way the team cheered when the engines fired up. Truffaut’s smile of complete goodwill and gentleness when he meets the old man. And after Laughlin translates that she sun came out and sang he just looks up. And cuts to the air traffic control screen. When Steven retires or leaves us to go back to his home planet it will be a sad day for us all.

[@dolemite10005]

My favorite era for scifi movies - the late 70’s to mid 80’s. The way they were shot, the score.. everything.

[@hercengmech]

Born in 1979. You’re right, it was a magical time. Something has changed in recent decades.

[@JulieHalligan-go8ov]

One of my all time favourite films. Superb acting,. Story,. & Cinematography. Absolutely love it. 🌺

[@bodie37]

Love the Land Rover at the start of this scene

[@TK42138]

Loved this film since the first time I saw it back in '78.

[@MrRossHartman]

That beginning crescendo of music from John Williams sets the stage!

[@danwilkerson8374]

Perhaps the greatest opening of all time

[@J2M2Og]

I'm going to have to dig out my blu-ray of this and watch it again. Amazing film .

[@darcybrummett7004]

0:12 Over 45 years ago and I still remember that the sudden change to this desert scene scared the crapola out of the audience. 😅 Not to mention the music!

[@davidicousgregorian]

Sandstorm 🎉

[@RossIsFine]

Was so cool watching this in theaters on the anniversary 2017