Steven Spielberg Discusses His Iconic Sci-Fi Film CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND | TCMFF 2024

At the 2024 Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, celebrated filmmaker Steven Spielberg took to the stage to discuss his timeless masterpiece, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."
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Steven Spielberg Discusses His Iconic Sci-Fi Film CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND | TCMFF 2024
• Steven Spielberg Discu...
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[@gluonjck63]

I am 61. Close Encounters is still the best Sci-fi movie of all time. The special effects still stand up. But what made the movie special was Devils Tower National Monument. I had the same reaction as Roy Neery coming over a hill in Wyoming three years ago during Pandemic. I cried as it meant so much to me. The funny part was it was closed due to pandemic- sort of fitting.

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

I had never heard of it before and initially thought they had built it for the movie!

[@shawnbingley5433]

Equal first place I’d say..Close Encounters and 2001..it’s for sure my favourite Spielberg movie though..

[@YouTube-tied]

If ever a Spielberg movie were deserving of a sequel, it's this one, with updated special effects. I saw this twice on opening weekend in 1977, I was 12 years old and it blew my mind.

[@SteveBrant55]

I saw Close Encounters of the Third Kind at the Ziegfield Theater in NYC when it first came out! That huge screen and incredible sound system meant that when the UFO's arrived at Devil's Tower (as especially when one was hovering above the scientists) the entire theater was shaking. I really felt like I was there! One of the most incredible audio-visual experiences I've ever had while watching a film!

[@TTM9691]

WHOAH!!!! I saw it when it first came out also, and had the same experience......but I did not see it at the Ziegfeld!!! Holy moly! But yeah, best movie theatre experience of my life, by far. Certainly way more mindblowing than "Star Wars", which had come out six months earlier. And I was 8 years old for both, and even then I knew. The audience was almost like.....stoned when the movie ended and the lights came up! And with this happy spirit, like Christmastime or something! Like we'd all gotten off the mothership together! And it was old people, kids, teenagers, couples, people in their 40s, all backgrounds, it was the whole gamut. It wasn't just a room full of kids and their parents. But wow, to see it at the Ziegfeld, I'm just shaking my head. We won't see a movie - or a movie theatre - like that ever again.

[@vernonbrown9275]

I was there too! At the Ziegfeld theater! Just as you describe!

[@charmawow]

I remember going to see Close Encounters for its very first showing, at midnight, in my hometown at the Gaumont Cinema, which was the second biggest screen in the U.K. After Star Wars I thought it was just ok(!) but something made me go watch it again, a week or so later, in fact I went to see it 5 times on that first release, so I suppose that was when I fell in love with Spielberg as a film maker…….and little did I know, that two decades later I would end up working on three Spielberg movies!

[@richardthelionheart5594]

How great was that !!!! Both of them. Ben's father, grandfather and great uncle would be very proud. Masterful.

[@freqenc]

His movies by far out does any today. He has made my childhood so much richer. I will forever watch his movies. He's a legend.

[@danbaranowski]

Steven Spielberg’s work is a thing to behold. From Jaws to the first 4 Indiana Jones films to the first 2 Jurassic Park films to Schindler’s List and beyond, Steven Spielberg is my second favorite director of all-time (8-time Godzilla franchise director Ishiro Honda is my first). Spielberg’s collaboration with composer John Williams is the greatest collaboration in Hollywood history

[@susanbinzer3395]

It starts with Duel

[@MrWel684]

I was fortunate enough to see a screening of the fablemans where Steven came out for a q and a. As someone that’s been inspired by his films since before I can remember, it was truly wonderful experience. You could tell that even he was feeling vulnerable and had a hard time telling a story about his family. But at the end of the day, he’s a true storyteller and had to tell that story.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Most of his movies still work....years later. He's a genius. It's time we said so. 🎉

[@yvonneplant9434]

​@@susanbinzer3395Don't forget the Night Gallery episode that starred Joan Crawford. 🎉

[@deckofcards87]

My favorites are E.T., Close Encounters, Jurassic Park and Jaws. Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List and Minority Report are also very good films.

[@imaginationworkshopstudio]

Steven is a #MasterofCinema that has made countless #Masterpieces of Cinema. One of my all-time favorite Directors that played a big part in influencing me.

[@dwaiting883]

I grew up on this film. Got to see it at an old theater for the first time a few years ago, in an audience of fans, and I felt like a little kid.

[@jazzizjazz]

Those in the audience who hadn’t seen Close Encounters were in for a treat. I can only imagine what that would be like now. I saw it when it opened as a 19 year old, same year as Star Wars. To this day, one of my all time favorite films.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

The moment Close Encounters starts to play, the combination of story, music, and characters pulls you right in. Close encounters is great on so many levels. Anyone who loves films needs to see it.

[@TTM9691]

I love when he asks the audience to raise their hands if they hadn't seen it before.....and you could hear audible gasps in the crowd of how many hands must have been raised! Even Mankiewitz says something like "Yeah, it always amazes me...." and then quickly adds "A majority have seen it but still.....", lol

[@JustHackingAround]

Such an incredible guy and a blessing in this world!

[@NicholasWingComposer]

These Spielberg interviews are a treasure. Cincy City should have an endowment to screen Spielberg Films outdoors forever, and also to ensure that John Williams' film scores play on at Adventure Express to inspire all future generations. I am so grateful for those precious memories, and the artistic legacy of the greatest director and filmmaker in American history, Steven Spielberg.

[@ChristianKrogh-Denmark]

I’m so freaken psyched to find out more about his next film, which is said to also be centered around UFO’s!! Obviously it’s a very big project, and I have a feeling it’s gonna have something to do with today’s view on that very subject. No doubt it’s gonna have a beautiful message 🫶

[@voicetube]

I do remember being at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood on opening day of CE! At the time, next to Star Wars, it was the most impressive motion picture I'd ever seen. I only learned from this video that it was only being shown in that theater in LA and that other theater in New York! Very cool :-) As a side note, I was an extra in The Lost World and got lucky enough to be a stand-in arm for Vince Vaughn in the scene where the motorhome is about to go over the cliff and he's holding onto the (huge) satellite mobile phone. Steven Spielberg actually directed me while holding onto that phone etc., while it was slipping through my fingers, etc. Quite an honor (unfortunately, not had a chance to get into any conversation with him, obviously, because it was such a busy time). I also learned in later years that he used to visit down the block from us to our neighbors house (I think it was his cousins) with his 8 mm camera (in Canoga Park California in the early 60s - as he mentions in one of the books he wrote). Would have been cool to meet him as a kid, yet I was just an infant at the time.

[@TheJereld]

I have the movie poster right above me looking down at me in my office. Thanks for the experience, Steven!

[@jamesraffoul1909]

Love the Carey Guffey wonderment story!

[@JackSilbert]

Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful festival moments with us!

[@IndieCabaretNYC]

I'd love to see a sequel to CESK. My idea is this: It takes place in the present day...The Mothership lands and a group of humans walk off (just like towards the end of the original) and one of those humans is Roy Neary who hasn't aged in almost 50 years. He goes to debriefing with the military/science officials and he tells them the moment he took off in the Mothership, he's been living with the regret of leaving his family behind. The rest of the movie is him trying to find out if his family is still alive, and trying to find a way to see them and somehow explain what happened and how he hasn't aged in 40 years because he left Earth with aliens decades ago. It would not be a sci-fi adventure, but more of a serious drama about a sci-fi theme.

[@benbishop1131]

Close Encounters was as amazing as it is because of a perfect combo, Spielberg's storytelling and Douglas Trumbull's skills.

[@Luke_E_Babyy]

That present unwrapping story is a great example of why he is who he is.

[@Galacticpurveyor]

The first 10 minutes is one of the great opening sequences of a movie and a favorite. I appreciate that as he matured his films did as well. The color purple and empire of the sun was the start of it.

[@aliensoup2420]

Same. Color Purple was his definitive break from action/adventure into serious drama.

[@Mr.Goodkat]

His films didn't "mature" fun, light hearted action movies aren't less mature than serious drama, they're also what the world needs more of, there's enough misery out there, escapist films offer us something greater than the dramas, an escape from it.

[@Galacticpurveyor]

@@Mr.Goodkat I guess you don’t believe the man himself. It’s not like he hasn’t talked about this before. SPIELBERG I hadn’t made what I’d call my first “adult” film, and I was terrified of Schindler’s List being my first, because what if I wasn’t mature enough? I was certain I wasn’t ready to deal with the gravitas of that subject matter, morally or cinematically, and I felt I lacked the wisdom to be able to discuss the story in the inevitable conversations that all of us have after our films are ready to be released. But I didn’t want to stop the story from getting out into the zeitgeist, so I went to Sydney Pollack. He tried and decided he wasn’t able to do it. I might’ve mentioned it to Barry Levinson at one point; I think Barry passed. And I went to Marty [Scorsese], and Marty was intrigued. It was Marty who hired Steve Zaillian, so the greatest contribution Marty made was finding the best screenwriter to adapt Keneally’s book.

[@Mr.Goodkat]

@@Galacticpurveyor I've heard this before but that's his opinion on his films it isn't mine and he didn't give me any reason to reconsider mine.

[@Galacticpurveyor]

@@Mr.GoodkatThere’s not much to say when you don’t believe the man himself. Sayonara.

[@imaginationworkshopstudio]

To meet Steven here in Jersey would be great.

[@YuenXii]

Fiending for that Fincher Q&A

[@thefincheranalyst]

I second that emotion!

[@BearbearbearbearbearbearRarrrr]

It's always a treat to hear from the Maestro.

[@robertcunningham1944]

In the interview, Steven Spielberg says his father woke him up to view the Leonid meteor shower. He also said it was in the summertime. That would have been the Perseid meteor shower, which occurs in August. The Leonid meteor shower is every November. That fact may have already been mentioned in the comments, but I did not read them, so I don't know.

[@kfc_bucket5172]

Nerd

[@1ouncebird]

@@kfc_bucket5172 My thanks to the nerd for that information. My disregard to you for your childish input.

[@Teeveepicksures]

thats some cool info

[@davidlloyd9980]

The scope and the mystery were Epic. Your attention was fixed on what was not being said. Amazing film experience, a true cinema movie.❤❤❤

[@rubbersoul3723]

Watching from the State of Rhode Island-Thanks for turning out Steven! Fan forever-great discussion guys! Peace all! 😇

[@davidmckayii752]

I love his movies, they are so heart felt, and inspiring. Much love. ❤

[@nilo70]

I won tickets on a radio show and my wife and I were were stoked . Then we had a severe dust storm in my area with zero visibility lasted for a day. We eventually got to see it and we were strongly moved . We bought the VHS TAPE when it came out for sale. An amazing experience.

[@alexbrunner1900]

He’s made more good films than bad films and possibly some of the most iconic ones too.

[@piratesasus4453]

He is a genius!❤

[@NZkiwi-]

The psychological aspect in Close Encounters was what struck me, when I first watched it as a youngster. It was way ahead of its time. Mr. Spielberg had certainly done his research!

[@denisefreitas6727]

Love Spielberg! Movie genius! ❤🎬

[@AngelW.-zi5zx]

The movies we already discussed. Go ahead and make them.

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Huge thanks to Ben and Steven! 🤩

[@DyenamicFilms]

Saw Close Encounters in the theater as a kid Christmas Day 1977. Already a huge fan of Jaws, I remember mainly wanting to see it because "the guy who directed Jaws made it" and the subject of UFO's intrigued me. Jaws is still my all time favorite movie. Close Encounters is in my top ten. I was also a huge John Williams fan by that point. The Jaws soundtrack was the first record album I ever owned. Still have it. Also still have my Close Encounters soundtrack on 8 track from back then. I just rewatched Close Encounters on 4k disc. It's just as good if not better than I remember. The "dated" 70's aesthetic now only adds to its charm if you ask me. Like Jaws, John Williams brilliant score brings it to another level.

[@GarretGrayCamera]

It's good to know he was into French Cinema back then.

[@repboy1]

Still one of my favorite movies went to see it aged 7 in 1977

[@melstuder232]

This was such a privilege to attend❤

[@1rwjwith]

One of my favorites films ever. Love it, its brilliantly written and filmed..and it turns out accurate as far as people seeing UFOS . I know this by the related experience of two childhood friends in the late 60’s ..long before this film came out. They were not out looking for things in the sky. This is off the east coast of central Florida… one night they snuck out of their houses in the wee hours of the morning.I did not go that night. So what they described and what they still say they saw 50 years later they did not make up . Anyway it was pretty much identical to the scene depicted in the film where civilians and some military are waiting in a field and the UFOS show up. I believe them..the UFOS DID show up..they happened upon it.

[@ZulcanPrime]

I recently bought CE3K on Bluray but it is the theatrical version. I saw the theatrical version when I was in high school in 1977. I still have not seen the new added scenes version yet. The movie was a big hit in Australian cinemas.

[@Avery_4272]

Steven Spielberg is a true artist who creates movies based on his passions, not what he thinks the box office numbers will be or whether he can top his last film. He's a wonderful storyteller inspired by what's in his heart. He's the real deal.

[@thaisgoncalvessanto5754]

Steven is Briliant 💐💖🎭

[@BlackPantherStudios]

Steven Spielberg is the greatest 📽️. TCM is the greatest. Great video 📸📷

[@kthx1138]

"Toys! Toy-ees!"

[@buda3d2007]

This movie changed my brain chemistry, I mean that in the best way possible

[@kaukomarsu]

Brilliant film, brilliant filmmaker.

[@TheJonnyzeus]

Ben Mankievicz is always great. Enthusiastic but never sycophantic; always well prepared; and prepared to just listen.

[@votemonty1815]

I enjoyed "The Post" from his later years.

[@aliensoup2420]

CE3K is provocative and stunning on first viewing, and holds up over time, but after time and maturity, I find it more sentimental and poetic than hard science fiction. Upon more rational analysis, it becomes silly, but it works as drama and cosmic intrigue. As a pure cinematic experience it is spectacular.

[@nunyabizness6595]

"Al Pacino lacks childhood wonder." Just visualizing Dryfus saying that makes me laugh cause i can totally see him doing that.😂😂😂

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

I saw CE3K at the Ziegfeld in NYC when it opened. The seats actually vibrated with the deep tones of the music and sound fx, esp. when the Mothership appears.

[@SandTguy]

I saw CEOTTK in my home town theater how could it had been only showed in two theaters. I saw it with my Mom and Dad as a little boy.

[@robertcunningham1944]

He said it initially only opened in two theaters. Of course it released to many more theaters after a few weeks.

[@robinm.1961]

I love this channel so much, for so many years. Since Warner Brothers stepped in, they have changed. They are not showing anywhere near as many great classics. What happened to 24 hours dedicated real movie stars. Also, they are showing some films way too much.

[@permanentmajority2024]

There is a version that approximates the theatrical cut now available. But it's not exactly what was seen in theaters in 1977. Because the process of recompositing that was done for the 1979 "Special Edition" release destroyed the original effects. So, we can't see the effects exactly as they appeared to audiences in 1977. Also, there are a few shots that are different, and some of the music cues are slightly different. Supposedly, Columbia still holds one original release print. But I have no idea what shape it is in.

[@permanentmajority2024]

It should also be noted that although the Director's Cut is longer than the theatrical cut, and has scenes not found it the theatrical cut, it is also MISSING SCENES that you can only be found in the theatrical cut.

[@gluonjck63]

It is a striking visage.

[@jeshkam]

So how much longer is this version? Because all known deleted scenes are about 25 minutes long altogether. And does it include the Air East 31 airport scene?

[@siddharthnaagar7028]

I need a movie with jodie foster & steven speilberg asap

[@serhatyigit1321]

💪💪💪

[@BenjaminThomas-me3nm]

How do I find this version of the film?

[@RegenerativeHomes]

None of the revised or special editions were necessary. True with any film. One could update Forbidden Planet too, or Metropolis, but there's value in seeing what the filmmakers did given the budget, technology and studio meddling, after all, that's the version that connected with audiences and became a classic. What makes anything a classic is that it stays original. There was a bit of well-deserved ribbing when asked "what version will we be seeing tonight." How refreshing if the response was "the original that audiences first saw that made it a hit.".

[@AlanSmitheeman]

I read somewhere that Francis Ford Coppola is making a movie based on METROPOLIS but I don't know if it is truth or just a rumour.

[@theplothickens]

Which version is this then? Is it available?

[@archelaus1598]

It was the Director's Cut.

[@theplothickens]

@@archelaus1598 Thank you!

[@RamZar50]

Steven Spirlberg’s best sci-fi movie isn’t Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) nor E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). It is in fact the thriller Minority Report (2002).

[@RH1812]

Those of us of a certain age, based on the comments, were lucky to be young when CE3K came out.

[@VIzuFNmS]

I would like to know Roy's subsequent story I want you to produce PART 2 🔭

[@dizmix]

Mankiewicz needs a script.

[@sun131089]

Which sneakers is Steven Spielberg wearing can anyone point out the brand

[@scottmansfield4038]

How is the 420th like what did I win😊

[@jamescampion7880]

Spielberg saved Hollywood, lets be honest. No motion picture got everyone excited like Jaws. Theatres were empty until June of 1975. I was there. Thank you Steven. The congressional medal of honor awaits.

[@jedijones]

That was a bit awkward. I don't think Steven was kidding when he said he wishes he had been talking to Jodie Foster instead. 😆

[@JoeScottish]

Spielberg when he still made good movies....... amazing....

[@StickFigureStudios]

Boo.

[@JoeScottish]

@@StickFigureStudios YAY!!

[@BMeneau]

His last two movies undoubtetly rank among his best. 🙂

[@JoeScottish]

​@@BMeneau Do you mean the efficient. if pointless, remake of a classic musical, and the efficient vanity project movie about himself? 😁 Both are well made but hardly pushing himself, or creating anything new. What a shadow of himself he is now.

[@BMeneau]

@@JoeScottish Yes, these two masterpieces are EXACTLY what I meant. :-)

[@adrienbenson]

Sure, CEOTTK is a masterpiece, but is Mankiewicz not even going to address the bombshell that Stevie is now repping On Running sneakers over HOKAs???

[@GarretGrayCamera]

I don't get it. Is he talking about the Special Edition? Or some other newer edition he put together?

[@Bailey2006a]

re,me,do,do,sol

[@ussgrissom]

Had Ben M. been drinking?

[@jedgould5531]

ᴘᴏᴏʀ ʜᴏsᴛ

[@peterboon8280]

Here is an observation. He identified with Richard Dreyfuss and wanted to date Terri Garr. Moments later he left his wife for Kate Capshaw who is also a known dirty blond.

[@gartwilliams3347]

I’m curious about his feeling in regards to what’s happening on university campuses recently?

[@docbrown6550]

Back when movies were made to entertain instead of pushing agendas.

[@YuenXii]

What? 1967 - 1979 is when people were pushing messages the most. Studio heads and filmmakers have been pushing political messages since the inception of the film industry. Just look at all the political messaging in Thalberg’s productions.

[@docbrown6550]

@@YuenXii This movie was not pushing any agendas, especially if you compared them to today. 1967 - 1979 doesn't even compare to what's being pushed on people in today's time. What???

[@eb8967]

@@YuenXii Evidently you haven't been keeping up with current events, just a small example of pushing agendas, Disney, as to Marvel, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones, Batgirl or Batwoman, Mad Max, I can go on and these are a very very small examples. Don't forget what Disney done to Johnny Depp for no reason, Everything being made today is pushing agendas, Everything.

[@eb8967]

@@YuenXii There are agendas today being pushed that makes 67 and 79 look tame, Disney's Star Wars, Marvel, and the last Indiana Jones, The latest Mad Max, The way Disney has treated Gina Carano and Johnny Depp, the last few Terminators, I can go on.

[@zantigar]

What is it with Ben Mankiewicz, man? He's usually so sharp. Here he seems out of it or something, like he's suffering from a mental condition... I hope he's ok.

[@PaulKaliciak]

Well, he said he got called in at the last minute, and it showed.

[@jackprescott9652]

I think Steve McQueen would be the right choice to play Roy Neary. Richard Dreyfuss was good, but he was too young and too loud for the part.

[@Psyclonus7]

LOTS of stammering in this interview

[@OllieMiller-vh6bf]

Interviewer should think first, then talk.

[@guitaoist]

So the aliens were nice in the end even though they were purposefully terrifying an entire town, thats not a plot twist its just bad writing

[@kfc_bucket5172]

i hate the arrogant host

[@fortynine3225]

Yes Steven the wonderful movies as we know it is going down being invaded by woke, bad taste, and bad quality content. Just very sad.

[@kfc_bucket5172]

UGH, the host thinks he's funny and he's not. He is INSUFFERABLE

[@decencywarrior9598]

Him and his roving band of financially insecure auteurs , are killing me . Even If Marlon offered me a Colt 45 I wouldn't have touched that swill either, smart move Steve.

[@richardthelionheart5594]

Yeah, BUT this was Steve McQueen offering !

[@janbart2027]

What a stupid introduction of Mr. Spielberg by this eh ee eh guy. And the sound is awful.

[@Maxwell-mv9rx]

Steven Spielberg movies are business. It is means his movies are NOT quite value movies. Spielberg movies keep them out in waste basket It looks like Coke.

[@Galacticpurveyor]

That’s just plain wrong but hey, anyone can have an opinion.

[@FrancisXLord]

@@Galacticpurveyor You understood that? I can't tell what he's trying to say at all. I would guess English is not his first language, if his construction of sentences is anything to go by.

[@Galacticpurveyor]

@@FrancisXLord I gleaned that it meant his movies are business not art. But it’s a mess.