Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 American science fiction drama film written and directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, Cary Guffey, and François Truffaut. The story follows Roy Neary, an everyday blue-collar worker in Indiana, whose life changes after an encounter with a UFO. The film is known for its thrilling and awe-inspiring visuals, as well as its exploration of themes such as male obsession, cosmic mysticism, and music.
Plot
The plot follows Roy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, who experiences a close encounter with a UFO, which spurs him to embark on a cross-country quest for answers. Roy's obsession with the UFOs devastates his family life, but he acquires a spiritual surrogate family along the way. The film features a notable cast, including Richard Dreyfuss as Roy Neary, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, Cary Guffey, and François Truffaut. The film won a BAFTA Film Award for Best Effects and was nominated for several other awards. It has a 7.6 rating on IMDb and a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Trailer
Cast
- Richard Dreyfuss as Roy Neary
- François Truffaut as Lacombe
- Melinda Dillon as Mary
- Teri Garr as Tess
- Bob Balaban as David
- Cary Guffey as Sue
- Joe Alves as Farmer
- Phil Vischer as ARP Musician
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Steven Spielberg
Genre: )[Sci-fi](@leoglossary/leoglossary-science-fiction-scifi
Box Office Gross: $306,889,114
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 16, 1977
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Sep 1, 2017
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2012
Theme
Close Encounters of the Third Kind explores themes such as the search for meaning, the impact of obsession, and the nature of communication.
Reception
The film received critical acclaim for its thrilling visuals and exploration of themes. It won a BAFTA Film Award for Best Effects and was nominated for several other awards.
Production Challenges
During the production of the film, there were some challenges, such as the decision to shoot process on location instead of using a mock-up car on a soundstage. This decision was made after the director, Robert Worsley, saw the dailies and realized that shooting on location would not ruin the picture.
Settings
The film features a mix of indoor and outdoor settings, with various locations across the United States. These include Indiana, where the protagonist, Roy Neary, lives, and California, where the UFOs are sighted.
Visual Styles
The film is known for its striking visuals, which helped to establish Steven Spielberg's reputation as a masterful director. The cinematography by John Williams and the use of iconic visual effects by Robert Wise contributed to the film's iconic status.
Techniques
Spielberg employed various techniques to create a sense of suspense and awe, such as using a slow-motion shot of the UFO, which became a signature moment in the film. The film also features a memorable orchestral score by John Williams.
Trivia
- The film's title comes from a taxonomy of UFO sightings, where Close Encounters of the Third Kind refers to UFOs that appear to be within 500 au (astronomical units) of Earth.
- The film was the first collaboration between Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams, who would go on to work together on several other projects, including the "Indiana Jones" franchise.
Fun Facts
- The film was released in 1977, making it a part of a banner year for science fiction films, which also saw the release of Star Wars and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
- The film's production budget was $17 million, which was a significant increase from Spielberg's previous film, The Sugarland Express, but it was a commercial success, grossing $192 million at the box office.