I saw "E.T." the first time when it was released in the summer of 1982; I got into the first showing of the first theater to have the movie in town. In fact, I waited two hours in line to get a ticket, and I even got a neat "I saw E.T." button (long since lost) to wear. I have never regretted the two hours I spent in line that day; "E.T." was (and still is) an excellent movie. However, I've become fixated with a small part of "E.T."; it strongly impressed me the first time I saw the movie, and each time thereafter. Simply, one of the strongest messages that the movie has is scientists are evil.
Naturally, I enjoyed the overt plot and story immensely, and the special effects also. "E.T." is ostensibly about the relationship that develops between two intelligent beings, a young boy, and a small alien accidentally stranded on Earth. While trying to hide from public view until he can find a way to contact his space going companions, the extraterrestrial is discovered, and then tries also to stay out of the clutches of the human authorities, until he can be rescued. However, the most sinister weapon that humanity can bring to bear against the alien is not the military with its guns, tanks, and helicopters. Rather, it's the scientists.
Nowhere is that point made more strongly than when E.T. is discovered by the boy's mother, and she alerts the authorities. It's not long before their house is invaded by spacesuit clad figures that lumber through their home, arms stiffly outstretched like high-tech versions of Frankenstein, while their suits' breathing apparatus rasps like Darth Vader's life support system. Of course, just when the family thinks they've escaped, they are confronted with something far worse, an entire army of scientists, marching in step to the chilling cadence of an ominous drumbeat on the soundtrack. Whole legions of stiffly marching people in lab coats, power suits, and even holding briefcases practically goose step over the horizon towards the family home. If the comparison between the scientists and their support crew to an invading army wasn't clear enough, there are whole fleets of mobile homes, vans, and police cars; the tanks and other armored vehicles of this new, high-tech army, if you will, to make the impression complete.
"E.T" does stop short of portraying science has run amuck, as has been done in many other movies. Rather, science is the tool of repression used by an evil government to enforce the new order. Remember, "E.T." was released in 1982; so it was filmed at least a year or two earlier, just after the very tail end of the 70s, and an entire decade of probably the deepest distrust and suspicion the population has had for this country's government. That scene wasn't meant to be a flattering portrait of the power structure, and there's nothing reassuring about it. Despite the "explanation" of the scientists' purpose towards the end of the movie - they were only trying to locate E.T. to help him - it's not terribly convincing.
Why would I even care about this admittedly minor aspect of the movie? I'm a scientist. Counting my bachelor's degree, I spent 12 years in college training, and another 15 years after that doing laboratory research. It's unfortunate but true; the general perception of science and its practitioners is negative. Scientists are viewed as the magicians and wizards of the day, and distrusted by most. Perhaps I have entirely the wrong idea about what I saw in "E.T.", but it affected me profoundly that day in 1982, and it still does.
Director Steven Spielberg s heartwarming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history. Filled with unparalleled magic and imagi...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.