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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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. =)

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.

I love this film♥

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?

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.

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

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.

This might be Spielberg's best

I don’t like this movie. He abandons his wife and kids at the end of the movie.

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...

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.

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 😁

Steven Spielberg's best movie.

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! :)

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

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 !

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

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.

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

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....

As always, outstanding.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

Alien and Star Wars aren't even near the same league as CE111.

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. 😉

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

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

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

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

No it's not, it's a boring trashfire

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

I will always love this movie!!!

Cowrote. Hal Barwood ... (additional story) (uncredited) Jerry Belson ... (written by) (uncredited) John Hill ... (additional writing) (uncredited) Matthew Robbins ... (additional story) (uncredited)

I think it's a pretty great film but I agree the first two acts cut have been edited down. I think Spielberg was going for something like Hitchcock's "The Birds" where it slow burns towards a reveal, but the scenes of family dysfunction were overplayed and annoying. Maybe that was his way of grabbing the female audience but... ugh. To me it's a sci-fi version of "Wizard of Oz" that addresses individualism's struggle against an oppressive system, and the direct path from fearlessness to enlightenment. The masks scenes ("There's nothing wrong with the air!") seem especially relevant in 2020.

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.

The character that François Truffaut plays is based on an actual famous French Ufologist, his name is Jacques Vallee. There is also another famous Ufologist who makes a cameo appearance in this movie. His name was Dr J. Allen Hynek.

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

no, I saw no religious connection in this film like she does

My favorite movie of all time

Just a thought...since there are billions of other galaxies in our solar system, why even question the possibility of life elsewhere other than our MilkyWay? I for one am curious AND believe there is life on other planets out there. Anyone agree with me?

I didn't know the American pronunciation of 'Tower of Babel' sounds like 'babble, rather than Brit way - rhymes with Cain and Abel. Sounds very weird to me, ah well, the aliens will come to the US anyway

"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.

during this video, there is a young Lance Henriksen. (7:41) You might remeber him playing Bishop the android in Aliens.

Who are you people? This video was beautiful.

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.

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

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.

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.

The biggest thing about this film is what it plays with the audience most successfully.

I think this interpretation goes too far and is too specific about what it means. Roy is a normal guy, not an artist - his lack of a disciplined medium is one reason why his struggle took him farther than Jillian (who is trained to draw). It goes to his character, which has strengths that are awakened in the encounter and in the end, which force him beyond what he has ever considered possible, even distancing him from an overly normal and unimaginative wife. Also, the family scenes are normal to people who have kids, I found them joyful and believe his life would have been fine had he not had a transformative experience. The Biblical analogies are also far too crude and literal - the end message could be "things in the universe are OK", not a reverse Babel or visionary quasi-Paul.

I wouldn't say it was overshadowed. It was a drama, and didn't have the potential to be a franchise. I always thought it would be great to see Roy Neary return decades later and deal with the consequences of leaving his family, as well as a society that is far more paranoid and divided than hopeful. As for what the aliens were doing, they seemed to be searching for and taking humans who, on some subliminal level wanted contact with them. It's like the Bible discussing God revealing or teaching those who search for him. Being a species far more innocent than humans, it never occurs to them that a person could or would call to them but not want or be able to go with them. Hence the alien abductions that feel cruel, but are done out of kindness. At least that's my take on the film. I could be dead wrong!

Spielberg is jewish and kabbalah is jewish mysticism so i think the movie is about..."What is universal kabbalah ascension?" "Kabbalah for life"

I think the notion that there are "Christian themes" in the movie is pushing it. I think the devout see Christian imagery in everything. In an interview, Spielberg denied making movies with Christian themes. He's Jewish. _Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade_ is probably his first and only "Christian-themed" movie. At least he didn't propose the "Holy Grail" was in the British Isles. It's interesting to see people put forth a thesis about meaning they got from a film or its elements, like saying it's about problems communicating between Roy and his family, people and the government, people of different nationalities so he needs a translator, and humans and aliens. But if the main investigator was British he wouldn't have needed the translator outside of Mexico and the thesis would fall apart. Spielberg said he picked him as French to change the trope of a German scientist explaining things in previous movies.

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

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!

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.

"It is an event Sociological".

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

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

This opinion I don’t agree with. I think Close Encounters is about the worldwide Counterculture and the individuals reaction to it.

What's so great about laughing at things that aren't funny, and not understanding how wonderful entertainment used to be. You all didn't want to keep the standards us boomers lived, that brought happiness. You think living is staring at a cellphone, whereas when we grew up, every day was different and then we enjoyed a great movie that was beyond the imagination we already had.

One of the best movies ever made.

Funny how RU-vid works. This got recommended to me after I watched a video of John Carpenter saying how crap he thought this film was

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Sorry, my fault, this critique is ok, but only if posting your PhD synopsis of critical films. It's fun though.

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

Just watched it for the first time and it was so boring, a real struggle to make it to the end.

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.

AI is one of my favorite movies of all time.

Narrator should receive shock treatments until she loses her vocal fry.

never gotten tired of watching it since the 80s

Fuck I've watched the wrong version of the movie. Thank you Netflix :D

The references to Christian analogies are a bit of a stretch. Seeing that at the time Spielberg was a non observant Jew.

Talk about overanalyzing a movie in the most simplistic way imaginable geez 😳