IMDb > Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
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Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) More at IMDbPro »

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) -- A line worker, after a encounter with UFO's, feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) -- A line worker, after a encounter with UFO's, feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   54,722 votes
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Director:
Steven Spielberg
Writer:
Steven Spielberg (written by)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Close Encounters of the Third Kind on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
16 marraskuu 1977 (USA) more
Genre:
Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi more
Tagline:
Close Encounter of the First Kind - Sighting of a UFO. Close Encounter of the Second Kind - Physical Evidence. Close Encounter of the Third Kind - Contact. WE ARE NOT ALONE more
Plot:
After an encounter with UFOs, a line worker feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 11 wins & 30 nominations more
User Comments:
Transforming Fear to Wonder more (245 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
CE3K (USA) (informal short title)
The Close Encounter of the Third Kind (USA) (working title)
The Special Edition: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (USA) (reissue title)
Watch the Skies (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
132 min (special edition) | 137 min (director's cut) | 135 min (original version)
Country:
USA | UK
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)
Filming Locations:
Alabama, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In the scene where Barry (Cary Guffey) says, "Toys!" as he looks out the window and spots the UFOs, Steven Spielberg actually pulled out a toy car behind the camera to cause Barry's unexpected one-take reaction. more
Goofs:
Plot holes: In the climatic ending the first alien, a tall and spindly creature, crawls out of the huge "mother" ship's opening then stands up spreading it's long arms out wide. A very memorable and dramatic cinematic entrance with the film's score adding to the grandeur. The smaller aliens come out and stand in line then greet the humans. We do not see the first tall alien again in the film and in all released versions of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. What happens to the first creature? more
Quotes:
Barry Guiler: You can come and play now. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Fright Show (1985) more
Soundtrack:
THE SQUARE SONG more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
64 out of 74 people found the following comment useful.
Transforming Fear to Wonder, 16 heinäkuu 2004
Author: Graham Ames (hippybear) from Spokane, Washington

An amazing film, one of my favorites. I watch this regularly, especially at times when the reality of life is overwhelming, just to refocus and regain some sense of perspective.

Everything in this film works toward one end: to transform the adult sense of fear back into the childlike sense of wonder at the world. From the very opening moments of the film, designed to create confusion and startlement, this movie creates a sensation of dread and foreboding. The dissonance of the soundtrack, the juxtaposition of images, they all are working to build into the viewer a feeling that something just isn't right, that something out of the ordinary is taking place, and underscoring this all with a sense that this is something to resist, to pull away from, to not allow it to affect one's "ordinary life."

But as the movie progresses, the tone begins to shift, and the true intent of the film begins to peek through. This isn't about being afraid of the unknown, but rather embracing it. Paying attention to the "subliminal images" in life, allowing them to lead you into something unknown and perhaps dangerous, only then can one be open to wonder and experience the world through the magical eyes of a child.

Dreyfuss' character takes us on this journey, met with resistance all along the way. His wife, his neighbors, his job, his community, all are working against him, and it's only when he's reached his craziest that he truly gives in and begins to stop trying to understand and instead embraces the experiences in store for him. The scientific community is seeking to understand, but without having any personal calling to be involved. Only Barry is truly able to throw himself into the strangeness that is taking place, and his enthusiasm is greeted by both the characters and the audience as somehow alien and threatening.

The ending of this film, when all the fear is finally stripped away and the sense of amazed wonder overtakes everyone on the screen and in the audience, brings about an amazing catharsis. Discarding all the "adult" sensibilities and being able to approach life once again with a sense of innocent amazement for the Strange hidden amongst the Ordinary, one can begin again to approach life from a fresh vantage point.

Powerful, mystifying, and rejuvenating. I highly recommend this film for anyone jaded with life and seeking a sense of renewal.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What or who is Piggly Wiggly?! SueBee55
When the aliens come for the boy, why did Sp.Brg. use 2 tracking shots? oskarinn-1
I found 'More Than a Feeling' by Boston ilmmickey
Why did the aliens want Barry? da-42
Early Spielberg = Bad directing bsantosu
Anybody been to Devils Tower area? sportsvine
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