USHE Press Release: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1 Viewer)

In Celebration of

Universal Studios’ 100th Anniversary,

One of the Most Beloved Films of All Time Comes to

Blu-ray™ for the First Time Ever



E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL


Steven Spielberg’s Unforgettable Adventure Debuts in A Digitally Remastered 30th anniversary Edition

Blu-ray™ Combo Pack With Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital Copy & UltraViolet™ October 2012






http://www.amazon.com/E-T-Extra-Terrestrial-Anniversary-Edition-Combo/dp/B003UESJLK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1338421223&sr=8-4


Universal City, California, May 30, 2012 – E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg’s magical adventure, celebrates its 30th Anniversary with its first-ever release on Blu-ray™ this October. Featuring an all-new, digitally remastered picture that delivers six times the resolution of DVD, as well as all-new 7.1 surround sound, the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Anniversary Edition Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes the 1982 theatrical movie, an all-new interview with director Steven Spielberg, and “The E.T. Journals” featuring never-before-seen footage from the set of the film. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack also includes UltraViolet™, a DVD and a Digital Copy of the film, offering fans a chance to relive the mystery, laughter and wonder of the iconic movie anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice.
In 1982, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial became the biggest blockbuster of the year, ranking #1 over 16 different weekends. Even today, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial remains the fourth most successful movie of all-time1 in the United States. Nominated for nine Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Writing and Best Screenplay, the film took home four statuettes for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Sound and Best Music for John Williams’ (Jaws) memorable score. The unforgettable cast includes the adorable Drew Barrymore (He’s Just Not That Into You, Charlie’s Angels), Henry Thomas (Dear John, Legends of the Fall), Dee Wallace (10, “Sons and Daughters”) and Peter Coyote (“Law & Order: LA,” Jagged Edge).

“When E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial premiered in 1982, it captured the imaginations of people young, old and everyone in between in a way that was unparalleled in modernmovie history,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “A global cultural phenomenon—and the biggest box-office blockbuster of its day—E.T. brought out the child in all of us. We are thrilled audiences will now be able to experience the film in the astounding quality of Blu-rayTM.”



BONUS FEATURES ON THE

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION BLU-RAY™:

• 
  The E.T. Journals: In this all-new bonus feature, retrace the day-to-day experience of creating E.T from never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage shot by Academy Award®-winning cinematographer John Toll. This piece will give viewers a unique feeling of being on the set and living the excitement of what it was like to make E.T.
• 
  Steven Spielberg & E.T.: Watch an all-new interview with Steven Spielberg, as he reflects back on the film and discusses his experience working with the actors, as well as his overall and current perspective on E.T.

· Deleted Scenes: Two scenes from 2002 version of the film.
· A Look Back: A special insider’s look into the making of E.T. featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, the cast, and others intimately involved with the film.
· The E.T. Reunion: The cast and filmmaker reunite to discuss their thoughts on the impact of the film.
· The Evolution and Creation of E.T.: From idea to screenplay, through casting and making the film.
· The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams: Interviews and footage focused on the long-standing relationship between John Williams and Steven Spielberg.
· The 20th Anniversary Premiere: Composer John Williams played the score of E.T. live at the Shrine Auditorium for the re-release premiere of E.T. This featurette gives us a behind the scenes look at this presentation.
· Original Theatrical Trailer
· Special Olympics TV spot
· Designs, Photographs and Marketing

• 
  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.

· UltraViolet™: The revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows, store them in the cloud, and instantly stream and download to computers, tablets and smartphones. Consumers can now truly enjoy their movies anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice. Currently available in the United States only.
· Digital Copy: The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes a digital copy of the film compatible with iTunes®, iPad®, iPhone®, iPod™, iPod™ touch, Android or online retail partners.
· pocket BLU™ App: The popular free pocket BLU™ app for smartphones is now even better with newly updated versions for iPad®, Android™ tablets, PC and Macintosh computers, with features made especially to take advantage of thedevices’ larger screens and high resolution displays.

• 
  Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease.
• 
  Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film.
• 
  Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
• 
  Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU™-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray™. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
• 
  Keyboard: Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard.
• 
  BD-LIVE™: Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to access the latest trailers, exclusive content and more!

BONUS FEATURES ON THE DVD:
· Steven Spielberg & E.T.
· Deleted Scenes
· A Look Back
· The E.T. Reunion


E.T.: THE GREEN PLANET
Universal is also partnering with leading independent games publisher Chillingo to publish E.T.: The Green Planet for the iTunes App Store. Inspired by a novel based on a story by Steven Spielberg, players travel with E.T. to his home planet, explore and build extraordinary intergalactic botanical gardens, and share their experiences with friends.



SYNOPSIS
When an imaginative boy meets a lost alien, it is the beginning of one of cinema’s most endearing friendships as Elliot (Henry Thomas) helps the marvelous creature he calls E.T. find his way back home before government agents can capture him.

FILMMAKERS
Cast: Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Drew Barrymore, Henry Thomas
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Written By: Melissa Mathison
Produced By: Steven Spielberg & Kathleen Kennedy
Edited By: Carol Littleton
Director of Photography: Allen Daviau
Production Designer: James D. Bissell
Music By: John Williams


TECHNICAL INFORMATION
BLU-RAY™
Street Date: October 2012 – actual date TBD
Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61123439
Running Time: 114:27
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: 1:85
Rating: PG
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 7.1 and 2.0, Spanish and French Dolby 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: October 2012 – actual date TBD
Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61119825
Running Time: 114:27
Rating: PG
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 7.1 and 2.0, Spanish and French Dolby 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish


About Universal Studios Home Entertainment
In honor of its Centennial anniversary, Universal Pictures proudly salutes 100 years of unforgettable films that have entertained audiences and touched the hearts of millions around the globe. In celebration of our first 100 years, UniversalStudios Home Entertainment is proud to present a selection of our many beloved movies as part of an extensive year-long program that underscores the studio’s rich cinematic history and indelible cultural impact.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.comhttp://www.universalstudios.com/). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing ofentertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. ComcastCorporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

Not yet available for preorder on Amazon.

Watch this space for a preorder link as soon as it
becomes available.

Glad to see it's just the theatrical cut. Some "deleted" scenes from the 2002 version, but otherwise it seems Spielberg is not making much mention of the "Special Edition".

Didn't Spielberg go on record fairly recently (like in the last couple of years) saying that from that point on any release of his movies on Blu Ray would contain the original cut? Glad to see it's coming true. This will definitely be a release date purchase for me. Waiting on the Indy trilogy now...

Carlo Medina said:

Didn't Spielberg go on record fairly recently (like in the last couple of years) saying that from that point on any release of his movies on Blu Ray would contain the original cut?

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If I remember correctly, he did mention that when discussing the release of the Indiana Jones saga (at some convention).

Carlo Medina said:

Didn't Spielberg go on record fairly recently (like in the last couple of years) saying that from that point on any release of his movies on Blu Ray would contain the original cut?

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I think he even said it a couple months ago but he never outright said that the SEs wouldn't be included. The real test of that statement is if Jaws and Raiders Of The Lost Ark are really the original versions or have the few digital corrections that have been made.

I like the special edition better. CGI improvements were it was needed without harming the film.
I hate to see, yet again, that a blu ray has less material than an SD does.

The only scene I would have liked to have seen retained from the SE was the "bathtub" scene. Of course, the CGI in that scene would probably have to be redone from scratch for the Blu release.
All in all, I'll be very content with the theatrical edition on the BD.

Ronald Epstein said:

Not yet available for preorder on Amazon.
Watch this space for a preorder link as soon as it 
becomes available.

Click to expand...

You got it! Thanks for posting.

Well including "deleted scenes" from the 20th Anni version pretty much says they're leaving it out this time. Hoping they announce a deluxe edition like they did last time... where you can get both.

Joe Caps said:

I like the special edition better. CGI improvements were it was needed without harming the film.
I hate to see, yet again, that a blu ray has less material than an SD does.

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My thought exactly. I like the 2002 version with the extra stuff in it.
Will pass. Both versions would be an instant pre-order.

I believe the bathtub scene is included as a deleted scene here.

I'm more concerned about the loss of material from the laserdisc edition - such as the comprehensive Making-of documentary done for the laserdisc and several deleted scenes, including one with Harrison Ford, and an alternate ending.

I sold that laserdisc set several years ago, under the belief that the materials from it would be put on the eventual blu-ray. It now appears that this will not be the case. I'll need to go to Amoeba Records to see if they have a cheap copy of that laserdisc set, I guess. Shame.

I'm surprised to see the love for the 2002 version, as I thought the changes/additions were neutral at best and harmful at worst.

The 1982 version was great - the alterations only hurt it...

I'm ambivalent about the 2002 changes. I do agree that the ideal package would have been both versions, but if that's not possible, I'll be more than happy with the original.
And while the loss of extras are sad, I have to say I'm at a point in my life personally where I don't even get to watch extras to any great degree (I have probably 50 blu rays still in shrink wrap), so while in principle I'd love for this to be the comprehensive, definitive set, chances are I wouldn't notice if it were movie-only because of my personal time-crunch. I realize this is a YMMV situation.

The new audio is listed as Dolby Digital. Surely it will be a lossless format.

For awhile I was hoping both versions would be included, but now I'm glad it's 82 only. Since Lucas, there's been an unfortunate attitude cultivated where flawed old effects are something to be be embarrassed about, and to be hidden away and changed for savvy new 12 year olds and generally anal grownups. Well, the hell with that.

The only reason that I'd like to see both versions included is because, for better or worse, the SE is part of the history of the movie. The lack of the SE is hardly a deal breaker but I like that Close Encounters, Alien or even American Pie give you all the versions of the movie in one place.

If the SE does anything right its the fact they replaced the old stop motion puppets with real kids on real bikes. Otherwise time is more favorable to the 1982 release.

Originally Posted by AlexCosmo /t/321107/ushe-press-release-e-t-the-extra-terrestrial#post_3931678
For awhile I was hoping both versions would be included, but now I'm glad it's 82 only. Since Lucas, there's been an unfortunate attitude cultivated where flawed old effects are something to be be embarrassed about, and to be hidden away and changed for savvy new 12 year olds and generally anal grownups. Well, the hell with that.

Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly on the general trend to redo things, although I *would* like to see both versions in the Blu-ray release for posterity's sake.

Available for Preorder
http://www.amazon.com/E-T-Extra-Terrestrial-Anniversary-Edition-Combo/dp/B003UESJLK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1338421223&sr=8-4