I have always loved this movie. When I was young I was very much into astronomy and Star Wars and my first short stories were sci-fi affairs from that mold. I saw this movie when I was very young on some national network, so it was commercial-plagued and edited all to hell. However, I knew then it was a great movie. This was probably about 1979. In 1980 Spielberg released "The Special Edition" to theatres, which was a version he said was closer to his original vision, and included footage of Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) going into the Mother Ship. Removed for the special edition was the hilarious scene where Neary builds a replica of Devil's Tower in his front room, using plants, trees, chicken wire, bricks, etc.

Well, I remembered that scene and I didn't like that it was gone. As well, I was totally shocked to see Neary enter the Mother Ship when I first saw this film on video. I couldn't believe what an insane move this was, all of the mystery - poof! - gone.

And the original theatrical release of "Close Encounters", the one I remembered from 1979, was never released to video (as far as I know - and I've searched!)

Thank God for DVD. Now we get the best of both worlds: the original ending and Roy tearing up his home in his efforts to figure out what the aliens have been trying to tell him. In addition, a scene that I don't recall ever having seen at all, is a small conference that Roy and other people who share his vision attend where the federal government (here presented in much lighter tones; Spielberg would later make them the enemy in 'ET') tries to dissuade them from believing they've seen UFOs. Also a scene where Jillian (the mother of the little boy who gets abducted) is cornered by television reporters trying to get her to comment on her boy's disappearance, prompting Jillian to slip away from the situation (be nice if some people living in this decade had that kind of class).

Did I mention that that bad ending is gone?

This film has all the Spielberg trademarks: a sweeping, if sometimes intrusive, soundtrack; sweet kids; excellent characterizations; and shots of people with their mouths hanging open, in awe of one thing or another (whether it's UFOs or dinosaurs, Spielberg's movies always have somebody with their mouth hanging open)--I am not the first to make this observation.

What this movie has that some of Spielberg's other movies do not, is multiple frames of reference. Generally, Steve tells stories from one point of the view; Indiana Jones', Elliot's, the sailors who go to kill the shark, etc. But in this film three distinct threads unfold before our eyes: Roy Neary, in an unhappy marriage, who is entranced by visions of Devil's Tower; Jillian and Barry Guiler, a mother and son, whom we sense cannot operate without each other; and the scientists, primarily LaCombe (played by legendary filmmaker Truffaut) and his interpreter (Bob Balaban). All three stories are told without so much as a tic of pacing lost. Each story accelerates with the others; Roy builds his own Devil's Tower, Jillian hits the road in search of her son, the scientists receive earth coordinates for a meeting with the visitors. This is masterful filmmaking and masterful storytelling.

I love this movie because it is what movies should be: fantastic, hopeful, emotional and exciting. And it does all of this without manipulation or melodrama (something else Spielberg is known for). A masterpiece from a master filmmaker.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8