As part of its 100th Anniversary this year, Universal Studios Home Entertainment will offer special Blu-rays of selected catalog titles, and the 30th Anniversary Edition of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial will arrive in the fall wave. Director Steven Spielberg's classic science-fiction fable focuses on the relationship between lonely preteen Elliott (Henry Thomas, Gangs of New York) and a space alien marooned on Earth.
As Elliott bonds with the alien - whom he nicknames "E.T." - he begins to develop a psychic connection that extends far past the doldrums of his suburban community. It is this link that inspires Elliott to devise a daring plan to return the creature to his home planet, though Elliott finds his efforts hampered by E.T.'s failing health and the increasingly intrusive presence of government agents.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial was also a big success at the 1983 Academy Awards Ceremony, winning the following Oscars:
Best Sound Effects Editing: Charles L. Campbell and Ben Burtt
Best Sound: Robert Knudson, Robert Glass, Don Digirolamo, and Gene S. Cantamessa
Best Visual Effects: Carlo Rambaldi, Dennis Muren, and Kenneth Smith
Best Original Score: John Williams
In addition, the picture received further nominations for:
Best Picture: Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy
Best Director: Steven Spielberg
Best Original Screenplay: Melissa Mathison
Best Cinematography: Allen Daviau
Best Film Editing: Carol Littleton
Universal's Blu-ray/DVD/UltraViolet Digital Copy combo pack offers the 1982 theatrical edition of the film in its 1.85:1 original aspect ratio with a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Furthermore, the disc contains Universal's standard BD-Live, pocket BLU, Advanced Remote Control, Video Timeline, Mobile-To-Go, and Keyboard functionalities and the following bonus supplements:
All-new Steven Spielberg & E.T. interview
The E.T. Journals, shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer John Toll (Braveheart)
Behind-the-scenes featurettes:
- A Look Back
- The E.T. Reunion
- The Evolution and Creation of E.T.
- The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams
- The 20th Anniversary Premiere
Two deleted scenes from the film's 2002 version
Designs, photographs, and marketing elements:
- E.T. designs by production illustrator Ed Verreaux
- E.T. designs by carlo rambaldi
- Spaceship designs by Ralph McQuarrie
- Designs by production illustrator Ed Verreaux
- Production photographs
- Marketing E.T. feature
Original theatrical trailer
Special Olympics TV spot
Update: E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial streets on October 9th.
