E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

A closer look at the story

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial begins when a group of aliens visiting Earth leave one of their number behind on this strange planet. Ten-year-old Elliott comes across the stranded creature and chooses to keep him at home, out of sight of everyone. Before long the two of them work out how to communicate, and an extraordinary friendship takes root. Gertie, Elliott's little sister, and their older brother also grow deeply attached to their unusual new friend as well. While E.T. discovers what life on Earth is like, Elliott begins to understand what friendship really means. After a while, however, E.T. longs to go home and needs Elliott's help to get there. Elliott wants to help, but the thought of losing his friend breaks his heart. To make matters worse, government agents have learned about the visitor and are closing in, and they have no intention of letting him leave. Steven Spielberg directed this 115-minute family science-fiction film from 1982, written by Melissa Mathison. Henry Thomas plays Elliott and Drew Barrymore plays Gertie, with Robert MacNaughton, Peter Coyote and Dee Wallace also in the cast.