What's So Great About Close Encounters of the Third Kind

40 years after its release, Close Encounters of the Third Kind remains one of Steven Spielberg's most personal and acclaimed films. Close Encounters may have been overshadowed by two other big sci-fi releases of its day, -- 1977’s Star Wars and 1979’s Alien -- but it should be remembered for using its story and visual effects to renew a sense of awe and wonder on Earth.
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[@karlazeen]

After watching this masterpiece I just felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness, like I just saw something special, something beutiful. I came out loving this movie without knowing why.

[@rahasyagumnam7806]

What masterpiece? It's such a boring movie. Why did that guy leave with aliens in the end? What does that mean. ? And why did aliens release all the abducted people?

[@karlazeen]

@@rahasyagumnam7806 Alright that's just your opinion I just have to ask... Why are you even here then?

[@rahasyagumnam7806]

@@karlazeen because I didn't understand why he leaves with aliens in the end? And why did aliens release the abducted people?

[@karlazeen]

@@rahasyagumnam7806 Because Roy felt trapped in his normal life even if it was fine and he left with the aliens cause he felt enlightened by them and he had a strong sense of wonder with them that he never felt before and plus he had nothing to lose his wife divorced him and she probably said on the phone that she wanted him to stay away from her and the kids. The aliens abducted the people because they were probably curious about them and wanted to study them but never really understood them until they made first contact at the end where they finally came to a mutual understanding of human beings. Those are rational explanations for why shit happens but really these events can be interpreted however you like cause there is a lot the movie doesn't tell us up right aside from the things that you mentioned. That's why I love this movie it makes you think as well as leave you in a state of child like wonder, we've all seen a lot of movies but I'm willing to bet that terrible things happen in their stories we really do just need a happy movie like this once in a while especially with everything that's going on right now.

[@rahasyagumnam7806]

@@karlazeen Thanks for the explanation. Yes, as u said, it's upto us how we wanna understand. I was just bored while writing those comments above, I am not doubting on Spielberg's abilities.

[@Hakajin]

That was so beautiful! I wish I could show this to my dad; he loved this movie! He always said it was so much better than Star Wars, which he thought was silly. My argument was always that they're completely different movies and that it doesn't make much sense to compare them that way... But I digress. I'm big on literature, and I'd always try to tell my dad about the subtext I saw in TV and movies. He didn't always understand what I was talking about, but he listened. I feel like maybe he would've understood this better, since he was so familiar with the movie. One thing I like about this movie is how it gets into this feeling of the relationship between fear and wonder. Like, the aliens' arrival here is decidedly anxiety-inducing, to say the least. But you can't really separate that anxiety from the thrill of mystery. I especially love how palpable that feeling is; it's not a message you understand from the movie, but something you feel from it.

[@craigharris41]

the abduction scene was put in to put the audience on edge. Original script didn't have that in it at all.

[@harrambou9468]

@@craigharris41 yea that definitely added to it. A lot. I definitely got the whole anxiety-confusion bit, but...honestly the movie just feels like too many concepts introduced, but not concluded, and then just mashed together because it’s the one movie, not five.

[@qwertyzxaszc6323]

Imagine this movie being green-lit today? This movie is sheer genius on so many levels. The FX visuals alone.

[@travisjohnson622]

it wouldnt be greenlit today. Only if it was rewritten as a reboot of star wars, with roy becoming an avenger and the aliens all doing this just to bring him aboard to eat him. All the while a skibidi toilet war between the earth and the aliens begins... and then theyd just think it sucked and cry for the Sneider cut. Yeah.. it would never be green lit today. The modern audience only wants the aforementioned brain rot, All the while lacking the attention span to even care long enough to shut off their phone to watch the film.

[@paddypower19]

After watching The Fabelmens, It's easy to see quite a few parallels between the Roy Neary character and Spielberg's own mother, Especially in Roy's decision to leave his own family behind, and his mother's decision to move back to Arizona which split up the family. Great video on a great movie!

[@sandal_thong8631]

I probably should have seen that when I had the chance, but I heard it was lame, and missed that it had good RT scores.

[@nandoflorestan]

Both movies are masterpieces.

[@carl457]

Its the only film I've ever been to see that got a standing ovation at the end as the credits started to scroll! I think it was either the Odean, or Empire cinema at Leicester Square, London. The theatre was full at the time, it was impressive, and I'll never forget it.

[@patriciaanndemello4652]

You always need to view these movies in the era they were made. This had the wow factor in it's day.

[@nandoflorestan]

For those of us with imagination, the wow factor continues even with multiple viewings. There were many other films about close encounters, but most of those faded. This one remains because it's really about obsession versus family.

[@rayl7335]

This's the kind of films that Steven Spielberg should had never abandon. For me E.T. and Close Encounter of the Third Kind are his master pieces. Steven it's time to recapture your style one more time.

[@propman3523]

Truly, "A.I." was his consummate film! Everyone was expecting another "touchy-feely" "E.T.", instead he told us the truth, and the public hated the movie. Yet, now we see it coming true every day. "A.I." is a masterpiece of foretelling.

[@SASlair]

@@propman3523 I loved A.I. Another one of Spielberg's masterpieces.

[@esyphillis101]

He also made Minority Report and Munich. Both are modern classics with loads of themes, subtext and symbolism worthy of study.

[@NeoConnor1]

Everyone acts like Spielberg should return to his roots, but s filmmaker doesn't thrive unless he feels challenged. I say he should do whatever he feels drawn to. He's more than earned it.

[@sandal_thong8631]

From an interview he said he did a couple movies based on what was popular at the time: UFOs and alien abductions and encounters with ghosts. These became _Close Encounters of the Third Kind_ and _Poltergeist._ What's on people's minds now? The rise of far-right regimes around the world which attack minority rights, the press, professors and teachers, public health authorities and LGBTQ people. He's already done _Schindler's List._ What would he have to say about this that's different and would get an audience? His latest project, _The Fabelmans_ about his family life bombed, though it got good Rotten Tomato scores. Funny, because I heard it was about Spielberg's mom and before Steven became interesting.

[@kloggmonkey]

i've heard spielberg say if he had made this film today he would never allow it to end the way it did with a main character just leaving his family willy-nilly.

[@jamiebraswell5520]

kloggmonkey , well, I am glad he made it back then and not now. It was a bold move to have Roy leave. For all the magnificence, there is a sad side to the story in Roy's departure, as well as all of the others who were invited and who the military prevented from participating.

[@jschmid]

Ronnie was a bitch, she should have believed her husband and supported him. Instead, she moved out of the house to stay with her parents, then told roy she wanted a divorce over the phone. With that in his mind, he could then pursue jillian. Maybe you should watch it again. I guess you're not like most people who have watched this movie hundreds of times. Lots of cool shit in the movie to discover. Fuck off devil dick.

[@brain8484]

kloggmonkey why not , alot of people would jump at the chance ?

[@brain8484]

DevilKaz and you are a dick , same song different tune

[@brain8484]

kloggmonkey why not his wife was a bitch and his kids dumb as a post

[@lenisemicolon]

Sign language isn't universal. There are hundreds of sign languages and even regional differences within a given country, just like spoken language. It's not really a barrier breaking form of communication.

[@margaretmacy8551]

Artistic interpretation is allowed.

[@craigharris41]

it was put to music. That was the "breakthru"

[@jgrab1]

Music isn't either, despite what the film implies. Scales and pitches are different all over the world.

[@harrambou9468]

So...sign language IS universal I swear these people don’t know what the hell they’re saying 😂

[@FlyingAce1016]

Yeah signs aren't math is but the symbols wouldn't be.

[@jusadude7162]

I’m so happy Hollywood has not attempted a sequel or “reboot” of this masterpiece. It was lightning in a bottle and can never be duplicated. All you need to do is watch it again if you want to experience it.

[@Craznar]

The first movie I ever saw at the cinemas ... loved it then, love it today. Bought the soundtrack on cassette when it first came out.

[@jeromesimon2409]

Christopher, I am so glad to hear you loved the movie.... we use the same process of the Hand Signs & Tones using Arbecy to help the Autistic, the Blind, the DEAF-BLIND, and Drug Recovery Patients!!!! This is happening now in 2018!!!!

[@craigharris41]

The Devils Tower was the closest thing to a Pyramid in the USA and this is why it was used. They wanted to use Egypt but Paramount couldnt afford the shoot.

[@r.6731]

Same here!!

[@pdzombie1906]

James Lipton made Spielberg notice humans and aliens communicate via music made from a computer: Spielberg partent's were a computer technician and a music teacher. This is the most personal film of the director's ouvre, a truly great work of art and a cinamatic masterpiece along with John Williams haunting beatiful score. In the same episode of 'Inside the actor's studio', Spieberg chose the scene with the kid opening the door to the unkown as his favorite from all of his filmography. Thanks to you I now know why. Great Video as usual!!! Love!

[@aryanvyas2981]

PD Zombie i was just thinking of that interview. tbh that was one of the most inspiring interviews I've ever seen! Spielberg is the best!

[@michaelmagic988]

its just a stupid movie

[@jamiebraswell5520]

I just revisited this film last night. What an amazing movie it is, even all of these years later. I saw this as a very young child in theaters when it first came out. It amazed me then, and even now as an adult, there are so many layers and new things to see.

[@craigharris41]

Bought this in 4K UHD. Great movie, it has all 3 cuts. Director/Theatrics/Special

[@theylied1776]

Well, Steven Spielberg finished the script for A.I. a majority of that script was written by Stanley Kubrick.

[@jordel2010]

theylied1776 Indeed an important detail they forgot to mention; even though Spielberg ended up going in a different direction tonally, AI started out as a Kubrick project.

[@scifinerd17]

The happy ending was also Kubrick's idea too.

[@karlkarlos3545]

@@scifinerd17 You mean when David died beside his dead mom? Yeah very "happy" ending.

[@timothyivey5497]

@@karlkarlos3545 It's "happy" compared to dying beside your teddy-bear at the bottom of a frozen sea.

[@karlkarlos3545]

@@timothyivey5497 Neither is "happy". One is just unsatisfying while the other feels like the real closure of a tale.

[@Vejur9000]

One of the most visually stunning of all films, this movie is a visual titan.

[@blacksky379]

That's a hell of a crazy movie! Funny how nowadays less and less movies seem to leave a mark on you like this one. Or as many others from the 70's and 80's. Crazy.

[@jordel2010]

What's so great about CE3K?.. Everything! To me, this is Spielberg at his best; not Jaws, not even Schindler's List, this film is the finest example of his talent as filmmaker. It's a bit of a shame that it is somewhat underrated when people discuss about his work.

[@williamward9755]

This and Duel are my favorites.

[@craigharris41]

lots of things. The biggest thing he did was the VERY beginning. The airplanes in Mexico, that was done to show how a same species (humans) couldn't talk to each other. So music was used by humans and Aliens to communicate

[@travisspazz1624]

I feel like it has a ton of good ideas, but none of them are fully fleshed out. I think Spielberg fully arrived as a director with Raiders.

[@lykos_productions]

I wouldn't go as far to say that this is the best movie, more his best metaphor. The movie is confusing and boring, and no sympathy can be found for any characters and the plot is a mess. I appreciate the endless effort he put into crafting this perfect metaphor, but people who have no idea who Steven Spielberg is won't be able to appreciate this wonderful story

[@InFltSvc]

These were the GREAT movies made during the 70’s. I got to enjoy the old way of going to a movie and really enjoying it through the 70’s and 80’s....

[@canturgan]

The kid playing the piano is borrowed from 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

[@randomchaos5139]

He is also Richard Dreyfuss' Nephew, Justin Dreyfuss.

[@BJMallory]

Paul Olsen and banging that doll on the playpen, over and over. He’s the middle child; he wants attention. When Roy starts gathering bricks and trash to make his model of Devil’s Tower in his living room, Toby is the only one that tries to help him.

[@jaymetcalfe8540]

I don't know why, but a few days ago I decided rewatch this movie, which I havent seen in decades. I thoroughly enjoyed it this time. It is such a beautiful film. I'm glad I gave it anouther chance.

[@shosha1878]

This is one my favorite film. For 1977, this was a wonderful special effects Masterpiece; for that time and today's.

[@ChinaMo]

I LOVE THIS FILM!! But what about how the film has us looking at the divisions between people not just through language, but also dominant hierarchy control (government in this case)? He does the same in E.T. Seems a worthy piece, too. Side note: Kubrick wrote and was going to direct A.I., even having shot/recorded some scenes before he died. Spielberg took over but did everything he could to adhere to Kubrick's story and vision overall.

[@poetinmyheart94]

A.I. is one of my childhood favourites. It's full of heart and I cry every time I watch it.

[@ConnieFaye]

This is one of my all time fav's. The other two are Alien & A New Hope. I was 9 when these movies came out, and they turned me into the geek I am today. =)

[@mrclaytron]

It's a great film, and this is a really good analysis. Quite a lot that I hadn't considered, and I certainly didn't know this was a deeply personal film for Spielberg. Shines a whole new light on this film for me! Thanks!

[@chrisdix2089]

what?? it takes a really screwed up ameriCANT U tube narrator tio take thgis great film, with great script, acting & emotions, to mention "artists" & "religion" the story shows tthat his WIFE is disloyal a reflection of lost values... of the USAcorp society ... there is no religion here, just faith that there may be more "humanity" elssewhere in yje universe than on this FUCAR flanet that shgeeple allowed to be turned into a war biz, oil based pol;luted legal drug addicted , property/material obsessed SWAMP! feck YOU! "the take"

[@vicenteortegarubilar9418]

My favourite spielberg movie with E T. Such a beatiful film. Great video screenprism, the annalogy of being an artist and roy's obssecion is brilliant, it was right there and I didn't saw it.

[@thetake]

Thank you Vicente!

[@javbw]

+ScreenPrism I cant emphasize it enough - you guys are doing great analysis! From Nerdwriter, lessons Form the Screenplay, Wisecrack and even the craziness of RedLetterMedia, we are lucky to have another great voice in seeing meanings in mediums. Your videos let me appreciate films I have seen, but maybe missed some vital subtext or themes at the time - and learn to look for themes and subtext more closely in newer ones.

[@vicenteortegarubilar9418]

javbw Yeah man I was looking for a new film annalysis channel when I found screenprism and I was shock, there were like a couple thousand suscribers but not much and the videos were really great so I subscribed super fast and now they are better and better

[@DarkSideOfTheBrightSide]

@@javbw this comment aged well, like a fine vintage.

[@r.6731]

This will for ever be my favorite movie of all time! I know everyone's line from beginning to end.

[@safariben1]

Wow! This has been my favorite film since 1977, I’ve seen it nearly 300 times, a lot of this film, the visuals and sound are a part of my DNA since it’s been in my life since I was a young child. I was aware of several points that you, but was really stunned that I never picked up on the “artists obsession” motif that you talked about! So, thank you!! 43 years on and I’m still learning something about this wonderful film! You took something that I thought I knew backwards and forwards and you have added another layer to it for me!

[@InFltSvc]

My childhood immortalized! Many HUGE society and social changing box office hits back then. Great time and grateful for this work and talent.

[@kirk09100]

I am so happy that Steven Spielberg is still alive to experience this new era of disclosure. CE3K is part of my life since 1977. This film now have a deeper meaning in 2021. In my opinion, it is by far the best movie about UFOs in the history of cinema. We are not alone. Anymore.

[@cambowles6499]

You know why this is the greatest alien movie of all time. These aliens are peaceful and intelligent. In every other space movie the aliens are warring and barbaric. We need new movies with this theme.

[@harrambou9468]

Yea that’s true but the film still ain’t his best. E.T.’s great tho

[@shadowlion0131]

Arrival is also great for this reason.

[@captur69]

It's not the aliens you've gotta watch out for...its the humans..

[@tinaurbina-ks8cl]

Yes, they are just like us they to are curious about other species from other words!🙂

[@damenwhelan3236]

Yes. Where humams arent the advanced ones.

[@williamm374]

I remember going to see Star Wars with my sister and they played the trailer for Close Encounters in the previews. I was scared to death but didn't want to show it. I turned to see my sister curled up in her chair with her hands over her eyes. It was scary as a kid.

[@scottpeters5959]

I love every part of this film, it fills me with wonder every time i see it.

[@MikeS-um1nm]

scott peters Yeah, it fills me with wonder too. I wonder how anyone made it to the end without blowing their brains out! What an abysmal bore fest.

[@KOLDERSTRAAT]

Great thanks to Jaques Vallee. The science advisor to the movie. A French scientist where the troufaud caracater was based on. He also worked together with Doctor J Alan Hynek on project Bleu book.

[@Rockhound6165]

"Toby, you are close to death!" Only people with children could ever understand this scene. The fact that Spielberg didn't have children when this movie was made made this scene all the better but if you don't have kids and thought Roy was being a bit harsh, well, when you have children some day you'll understand. Raising kids is a wonderful thing but it's also very, very trying and hard. I have 2 girls(6 & 4) and although I haven't threatened them with annihilation yet, believe me when I tell you that I've come close. LOL! So bravo Steven for pegging the tribulations of parenthood in this movie.

[@elizabethshepherd131]

Okay, this movie is great. Everything about it is great. Unbelievable movie

[@chetanramesh951]

This is the best analysis on CE3K I've ever come across! As an artist, ​I understand how much work you must've put assemble this great video on this Spielberg masterpiece! You earned me as a subscriber! :)

[@rayl7335]

"If everything is ready here in the far side of the moon, play the five tones" I love Close Encounter Of The Third Kind over ET. I've watch this movie over 100 times through all my life, since it was released in 1977. It's my favorite movie from Steven Spielberg ever.

[@jeromesimon2409]

As a Retired Music Therapist, I can point to actual research of the 5 Tones with Kodaly, Arbecy, and more that helps AUTISM, Blind, and DEAF-BLIND....

[@jasonjones4695]

The little boys interactions with the aliens is one of the creepiest moments in film !!! I never understood that part till I was older !!! And it creeps me out lol

[@charlottewebster4233]

The abduction of him is horrifying. The aliens tottering and teetering quickly out and down the ramp is fucking disturbing.

[@MichaelDavidWiller]

A lot of salient points but the Tower of Babel is from the Old Testament which is a cornerstone of many religions, including Judaism (Spielberg's). Not just Christianity.

[@MGSBigBoss77]

Its far more prominent in Judaism but its also there in Christianity to a smaller degree though.

[@tomf3150]

Ultimate proof that gods are morons with an overinflated hubris. Good thing the klingons killed theirs.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I have to wonder how many elements were conscious decisions by the filmmaker like using Devil's Tower because it looks like the ziggurat Tower of Babel? Or putting the Ten Commandments in the movie to symbolize Roy's journey after a message from above? Does it mean something? Is it important? I think it's just people reading things into the story. Like someone's thesis that it's about communicating: between Roy and family, people and their government, aliens and humans, and even between humans requiring the translator. He said he picked a Frenchman to avoid the trope of a German scientist explaining everything. But if he'd picked an Australian or Brit, then the thesis might fall apart if there was no need for a translator.

[@leaiplussize]

you just explain why this movie is a classic and why it works and why Spielberg is a icon he is. god I miss this time , when movies told good stories

[@craigharris41]

its basic A-Z story telling. Aliens come to earth to be friends but dont know how to communicate with humans. They put a image in peoples heads that invites them to the landing but the Gov't covers it up. Anyway several humans make the connection and go to the meeting spot. They return the folks they abducted and take 12 people with them back to there planet. The aliens home planet is in the big dipper constellation and is displayed as they come into Earth atmosphere. Hope this helps.

[@ericzerkle5214]

What amazes me about this movie is most of it was filmed in a blimp hangar! No CGI back then, just talent!!

[@CarlosNavarro-cp9go]

never gotten tired of watching it since the 80s

[@amorejohnson4647]

I love this film♥

[@greggmartini1964]

He's not playing with food because he's child-like, nor is he obsessed; he's had a "psychic connection."

[@harrambou9468]

But he didn’t start packing the soil and bricks together until he ACCIDENTALLY knocked a thing over. No it wasn’t the psychic connection. It was an obsession. This film feels like too many concepts introduced and left unfinished

[@ChrisMaxfieldActs]

1:18 SUGARLAND EXPRESS was written by Hal Barwood and Matthew Robbins, based on a story by Spielberg and the two screenwriters. A.I. was a project shepherded for years by Stanley Kubrick, before Kubrick's passing, and based by a short story by Brian Aldiss. Spielberg did write the final screenplay for this one, however.

[@provia17]

I like the way CE3K has two distinct story lines: Roy Neary and the UFO researchers. It jumps back and forth between the two lines until they join near the finish.

[@jeffreymacintyre2711]

My favorite movie of all time

[@recesunar9069]

CAN Watch THIS MOVIE OVER AND OVER AGAIN . I WISH SOMEDAY IT WILL BE TRUE. MY PARENTS SAW A FLYING OBJECTWAY BACK IN 1950

[@jeshkam]

My favorite Spielberg films: 1. Close Encounters 2. Duel 3. Munich

[@r.6731]

I will always love this movie!!!

[@GhostWoolf666]

Honestly i didn't thought about this piece as (almost) any of contexts that you guys brought up here so thanks - now this movie makes more sense to me :D

[@aalderet]

As always, outstanding.

[@thetake]

[@jeromesimon2409]

Truly a Masterpiece!!!!! I use this movie & Kodaly Hand Signs in Therapy with Autistic, Blind, Deaf-Blind, Drug Recovery while doing Arbecy activities in 2018!!!

[@rodhanson7112]

I'VE GOT THIS MOVIE ON DVD AND It's A GREAT SCIENCE FICTION ONE AND IT WAS DIRECTOR STEVEN SPIELBERG DIRECTED THIS MOVIE AND I'VE GOT THIS MOVIE ON DVD 😁

[@pisachanation414]

Steven Spielberg was inspired by a sighting of a "flying saucer" that took place in Dexter Michigan in 1966. Dexter Michigan is about 35 to 45 miles south from where I live in Washtenaw County, MI. It was seen by a County Sheriff Deputy and the Sheriff himself.

[@sdfry40]

I’ve loved this movie my whole life! Thank you for this great video!! This may very well be my fave all time film!

[@highwind1991]

This might be Spielberg's best

[@yair1010]

it is.

[@IVUSER]

Not even close

[@MGSBigBoss77]

*1)* Jaws *2)* Saving Private Ryan *3)* Schindler's List *4)* Raiders Of The Lost Ark *5)* Close Encounters of the Third Kind Notable mentions; E.T., Jurassic Park, Are at the very least Spielberg's all-time top 5 movies in terms of reception and box office success stories! What the hell are you even talking about not close. Put the bloody beer bottle down, until your damn vision clears up. Then tell us it isn't close enough yet!

[@TheBarnem13]

Adriano Vazquez there's no might abo6t it IMO

[@avolite719]

E.T. is Disney level crap. Jurassic Park is HIGHLY over-rated. Raiders of the lost ark is like junk food.

[@jesalvarj1869]

This has always been my favorite movie since the first time I saw it in the 70's. A great example of the possibility that not all government officials are crazy insane lunatics. The soulless military on one side of the mountain, and humans on the other. Always one of the best classics of the 1970's!

[@wildsmiley]

You guys need to do a video like this on E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, a movie where Spielberg would further explore family and some of the other themes he first touched on in Close Encounters. Also, E.T. Is my #1 favorite movie of all time, and I'd love to see you guys explore it.

[@jeromesimon2409]

As a Retired Music Therapist, I can point to "REAL TIME" actual research of this movies' 5 Tones with Kodaly, Arbecy, and more Threapies that help AUTISM, Blind, and DEAF-BLIND.... We are exploring more as you read this message!!!

[@alejandroungaro4488]

Steven Spielberg's best movie.

[@gpapa31]

Two of my all time favorite sci-fi alien contact-related films are 2001 Space Odyssey and CEOT3K.

[@ashfaq1999]

One of the best movies ever made.

[@pisachanation414]

What's so great about Close Encounters Of The Third Kind? It was and still is great because they are real! If a survey was taken in the US alone, and everyone here replied, you would be surprised at the number of people who have had a close encounter of the third, second, or first kind. I myself have had a close encounter of the first kind twice. The first one took place in 1967, and the second one took place in 1976. (I wonder if there is any kind of significance between the numbers 67 and 76) The first sighting was witnessed by my brother (a career Air Force Officer at that time) and his future wife. The UFO the 3 of us saw was very, very far away from our atmosphere. It looked like a star....until it moved. The second one involved me and my then husband, was seen at eye level; six feet away from me and 9 or 10 feet away from him. (He died 12 years ago) There was no doubt from any of us that both of the UFO's (UAP's) were being maneuvered by entities that were not from planet earth. Both sightings were seen at night, and none of us had cameras. There was no known technology available in that 9 year time span, that would have enabled human beings to move those objects in the manner and speeds we all witnessed. So yeah, close encounters are real, those who operate the crafts are real, and they have been visiting our planet for centuries. I truly believe that.

[@pisachanation414]

The 1967 UFO sighting took place in Florida. The second sighting took place in Michigan.

[@jamesr6562]

My favourite film of all time. Spielberg in his prime, with everything to prove.

[@Landrar]

Well, it's nice that that's what you took from it. Everyone is certainly entitled to interpret art however they want. However, Spielberg has spoken in depth about the inspiration for this film. It has nothing to do with artists, commitment phobias, or religion. It was literally a movie about contact with aliens and a government trying to cover it up. The aliens were inspired by the ufo phenomenon, something that Spielberg was into pretty heavily in the 70s, and the cover up was inspired by Watergate. He wrote the movie in reverse starting with the final ship scene and then working backwards to tell how all the pieces got to there.

[@craigharris41]

Correct, but he never had the "ending" down until they were almost done filming. A UFO insider came in and helped with the ending.

[@exeterjedi6730]

Such a creepy film when I was a child. I still struggle with it. I tend to put my own bipolar into the film. Richard Dreyfus is bipolar and I see that in him when he goes crazy and ransacks the garden for soil to build his tower.

[@izzigo7647]

As i kid i thought this was a horrror movie i watched aliens chucky all those horror movie but for some reason this movie scared me the most and its a "family Picture" something about the ending and seeing the aliens really fucked me up as a kid...

[@velvet_victor]

3:45 When does this scene take place? I’ve just watched this movie on Netflix and I don’t remember it. Is it a deleted scene of something?

[@MGSBigBoss77]

Brilliant video, which highlights Spielberg's skill as a filmmaker and director. Absolutely wonderful video in breaking down Close Encounters as a film. Thank you for making this!

[@thetake]

Thanks so much!

[@quietdemon8138]

Cool facts (in case you didn’t know them) Spielberg wrote the movie backwards with the mothership sequence being the first thing he wrote for the movie and the scene with Neary’s son screaming “you crybaby” was something Spielberg had said to his father when he cried after his parents divorced as he had never seen his father cry before and saw him as less of a man for doing so and said it continually until his sisters forced him out the room.

[@yensid4294]

Wow, not sure I ever thought that deeply about this film but after seeing your analysis of it- yep. It's all there. Now I want to rewatch the DVD. I remember loving the movie back when it came out.

[@MikeS-um1nm]

yensid I thought "deeply", because it put me into a deep sleep.

[@MGSBigBoss77]

Even though its not true, i always felt somehow Spielberg wanted to link Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. they're both different yet similar sci-fi fantasy films that came out 5 years apart from each other. And yet each film handles the eventual encounter with benevolent alien lifeforms differently. In Close Encounters of the Third Kind its a grown man's journey (Roy) of rediscovering himself who wants to understand why he drawn to UFO's. While in E.T. its about an alien i.e. extraterrestrial of the film's namesake, who lands and become lost/left behind and develops a friendship/kinship with a earthling child on Earth in the boy; Elliot. Always wondered if both movies took place in the same film universe but at different times i.e. years. Close Encounters of the Third Kind in the late 70's while E.T. happened in the early 80's. Or even if the years didn't matter and weren't mentioned, is it not feasible events from both movies could've taken place in the same universe however?! Something methinks so. given they're directed by Spielberg and have similar messages about being optimistic about the future and mankind's destiny, cheesy as it may all sound.

[@thetake]

Thats very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@bencartwright5179]

Your correct ET is a sequel to Close Ecounters

[@harrambou9468]

Roy isn’t rediscovering himself he’s following an obsession that happened to be right. Somewhat.

[@KYoss68]

One of the Greatest Films Ever.

[@privatprivat7279]

the take! i need to congrats u on this amazing review and psychological summary behind the movie... this is my life and struggle in a nutshell

[@Murrlin27]

Thank you for this! This film was sheer magic to me. Joyous magic for adults :)

[@propman3523]

It is the artists (writers, musicians, and film makers) who will lead us into the future, not the military-industrial scientists and politicos! Follow the latter at your peril !

[@OursDéplumé]

I think it is one of the first film that speaks the best of the strength and correctness of intuition

[@jmgcg]

Although I love Star Wars and Aliens, 1, 2 and 3 I don't think these films overshadowed Clouse Encounters.

[@christopherrichards2350]

I saw Close Encounters of the Third Kind on TV a few months ago and its a good movie.

[@simonjandrell5897]

i will tel youl, all based on actual events, and a true story, this is why it is soooooooooooo good

[@craigharris41]

only the landing and crew of 12 going onboard the craft.

[@ameliawarfield5637]

Our greatest fear: the unknown. The film used a simple phase: We Are Not Alone.

[@bcrosek]

I love this movie!

[@sexynelson100]

At the end of this movie when they took Richard Dreyfuss away with them. Did they ignore the others ? ( Is it because they were not invited, because they had not received that telepathic connection ) ? Or did they also go with them.. but they only show Dreyfess being led up the spaceship by the aliens.. ?

[@jeffwalker6815]

Paul Shrader wrote the original script actually, but Speilberg changed enough that Paul removed his name. And AI was basically a Kubrick project that he finished for him, not his original screenplay.

[@johnfitzpatrick3094]

I once met Paul Schrader, and asked him about Close Encounters. Bad idea.

[@siddharthtyagi6128]

He wrote it like a Bond film

[@muddershmucker7374]

The script was originally written by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver's writer), but after Spielberg altered the script, Schrader dropped his credit, and Spielberg took it as his own.

[@RobbyBabes]

Who are you people? This video was beautiful.

[@MikeS-um1nm]

Rob Who are you talking to? Everyone is GUSHING about this movie! I'm the only one that thinks it sucks!

[@lisardo]

@@MikeS-um1nm I'll agree that it's not as 'masterful' as many people say it is, but it's still good in my opinion. It's not about alien invasions and non-stop action. It's about the story itself and the transformation within Roy and his obsession. And I liked how for once it's a benevolent, curious alien race. The other competition movies mentioned in this video; Star Wars and Alien, I felt were better sci-fi/alien films for sure. But Close Encounters takes a more realistic approach, and I respect that.

[@kebman]

A.I. was a project gifted to him by Stanley Kubric, though. The ideas and outlines were already quite well developed before Spielberg got to work on it.

[@larryleemoniz1222]

Your insightful comments and analysis of this movie touched on themes I had never considered before. Well done! Subscribed!

[@joseph4861]

Excellent analysis. Spielberg has made more than his fair share of great films. Still don't know how he agreed to make that fourth Indiana Jones film with the aliens though. What a disaster.

[@lisardo]

I read that he made it about Aliens in Indy 4 cuz at the time in the '50s, that was a big deal. And something Indy himself had never dealt with before.

[@hannahmercado5812]

Actually they were not communicating through sign language. They were only communicating through music. When the man and alien were making those hand signs at one another, they were actually communicating the same tune we heard through solfege. Solfege is what we know as do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti, do. The man made the signs for re, me, do, do (down octave), so. Then the alien did the same.

[@nebulous6660]

it's a story about a father who ditches his family chasing the unknown

[@cecilroberts1971]

No its not. It's about many things not just a simple observation like that.

[@tinag7506]

Well, his family ditched him first

[@Aeryyk]

I love this channel so much. Thank you.

[@DeanAlioto]

Wonderful analysis.

[@MGR1900]

Better than Star Wars. Said that back in 1977. I say the same thing today.

[@nigelsookram882]

Was an Epic Grand scale movie

[@carriezen8499]

Still my favorite sci-fi!!

[@Tychoxi]

Model trains is how spielberg became a filmmaker, and I think I remember him saying later in life about how he would never make the protagonist abandon his family like he did here (about the time he was getting shit for removing guns from ET).

[@jamiebraswell5520]

Tychoxi , I am just glad that he made the film back then and not today. The movie is perfect as is.

[@JamesHawkeYouTube]

It perpetuated the false belief that we all live on a spherical rock spinning through a dark void of empty space in the hope of not being alone. This is obviously not what earth is.

[@donsryche1]

I love Close Encounters, but I hate that Spielberg doesn’t make movies “like this” anymore. I miss these kinds of movies from someone who knew HOW to make them.

[@craigharris41]

this movie almost didn't make it. They got a visit from a insider and they were able to finish the movie. There was a reason a crew of 12 went into the mothership at the end of the picture.

[@MephProduction]

@@craigharris41 only one went on the ship.. the aliens only wanted him.

[@MephProduction]

Yeah, instead we get TheBFG, ugh, that was trash. Not sure when he last made a good movie,

[@craigharris41]

@@MephProduction actually They all went on the ship

[@MephProduction]

@@craigharris41 no they didn't, not in the 1998 version anyway, they all line up and an alien picked only one of them and took him on, then look at the 1980 version we only see one person in the spaceship.

[@ericsilberstein667]

Did you talk to Spielberg or is this your interpretation? I can see how your views fit in, but everyone sees something different. I saw it when it came out 77, and have seen it many times after. I know Spielberg’s family life was affected by divorce and you can say many of his movies include the obsessed and/or estranged father. Sugarland was more about the mother, but Brody in Jaws, Roy in Close Encounters, Ned Beatty’s character in 1941 were all obsessed with something risking the marriage. Indy and Elliott were estranged from their fathers, Peter in Hook was obsessed with work. There are other aspects of this film, but I think it centered around being child-like enough to be open to other worldly possibilities. 😉

[@SovsBorg]

The guy wasn't trying to be an artist. The aliens implanted a destination in his head and he was trying to interpret it.

[@nandoflorestan]

You are correct, but what the video meant by it, I believe, is that an artist usually faces misunderstanding and even opposition from her family, and the family usually treats the art as an unwelcome obsession. Being both an artist and a UFO nerd, Spielberg is very autobiographical in this film.