Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) Movie Reaction! FIRST TIME WATCHING!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ย. 2024
- Spielberg's follow-up to Jaws. This was an excellent film and maybe one of his most underrated ones. I found this film conceptually better than Jaws and I can't believe I've never seen it before. Highly recommended for everyone!
Hey guys, I'm Shaneel (Shan). Welcome to the channel!
My reaction to Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) for the first time. Hope you enjoy the video!
Full Length Reactions and Early Access at Patreon: / shanwatchesmovies
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Just remember that you are seeing the small version of the movie. Imagine seeing this on the big screen, and being 12 yrs old.
I can't even start to imagine how much this would have inspired a 12 year old in '77!
@@ShanWatchesMovies age aside, this is a movie about monumentality. In a 40' x 22' screen that mothership just overwhelms you. It's a physical experience, not a cerebral experience.
Love your channel. Good job on your reactions!
Same for me, except I was 13. Movie blew me away. I collected Close Encounters trading cards for God's sake. 😁
Absolutely! With Dolby and no other distractions!
Star Wars the same year too, I think.
Oh, it's not underrated, but not a lot of younger people have given themselves the gift of watching it. To any true film and/or Sci-Fi fan, this is considered one of the best films of all time. Absolute classic. I was SO tickled watching your awe in seeing this film; I reacted the exact same way when I was 12 and saw it for the first time. Great job, Shan. I love watching your reactions. :)
Thank you so much Margaret! Comments like yours really mean a lot to me! It was truly a privilege to have watched this timeless classic!
@@ShanWatchesMovies It is timeless. Every time I watch this film I'm amazed that it hasn't aged. It looks as mod now as it did back in the 1970's.
Was going to comment the same thing. Close Encounters was a HUGE box office success on release. 1977 was a great year for space fiction in the cinema.
@@ObsceneVegetableMatter Hard year to live up to, though...
@@ajivins1 I don't really understand what you mean.
"It looks real." A lot of the Devil's Tower shots should because they are. It's an actual National Monument. Best. Leo.
Hahahaha yeah I looked it up after I finished watching the film!
Interesting. Had no info about this back in the day.
Altho, there was a model of Devils Tower made by Greg Jein for effects shots. It was in a crate in Greg's shop back when I was working there.
@@kevinpogue7294 You certainly worked for an awfully strong resume, you lucky son of a buck. Best. Leo.
@@michaelbastraw1493
Do you think Logan's Run (1976) would be a good film for him? I like the movie, but it is a bit slow.
I saw this aged 13in 1977, and fulfilled my childhood dream 6 years ago of watching this film while camping at the foot of Devil's Tower. It's a memory I will never forget. I'm so glad you we're as moved by this film as I was, Shan.
Wow what a coincidence, I was there seven years ago and stayed at the bed-and-breakfast first one right down the street south from the Devil's Tower, but I was there for *Sturgis* and they didn't have any hotels, so I had to stay in Wyoming.
Oh, dude! Perfect! I was also 13 in '77. I'm curious as to the setup you used to watch the movie. And please tell me you had Devil's Tower in front of you, on the Dark Side of the Moon.
@@michaelminch5490 the KOA at the foot of Devils Tower had Wi-Fi so we watched on my laptop at dusk. They normally do screenings of the film outside but there had been a windstorm that damaged their audio equipment. Thank goodness for Wi-Fi! It was really special. If you get the opportunity, go there. What a unique and sacred place.
The French scientist is Francois Truffaut, the director.
Devil's Tower Wyoming is a real location.
Thank you so much for your comment. Yes, other comments have pointed both of those out. The bigger surprise was I had no idea Truffaut was a famous director!
...and his character is obviously based on Jacques Vallèe
@@ShanWatchesMovies Also Dr J Allen Hynick, who conceived the Close Encounters rating system of 1 through 4, was a consultant on the film. He had a small role at the landing, he was the grey haired man with glasses and pipe. In the 1950's and 60's he was an astronomer and scientific adviser to the Air Force's Project Blue Book.
I believe Spielberg's first movie was "Duel", with Dennis Weaver as a salesman on the road trip to hell. He in his little car being stalked by a huge tank truck through the South West. Just 2 characters, Weaver and the Truck (and we never see the driver).
I was introduced to the film’s of Truffaut in college. As a member of the French New Wave, he was a cinephile and greatly admired American ‘auteurs’. You should check out his interview with Alfred Hitchcock.
@@davidmarquardt2445 "Duel" was a great film!
Those practical effects were absolutely incredible on a big screen in 77.
Isn't it amazing how they made such great movies with little to no budget compared to the 100s of millions spent now. Not to mention the hand made practical effects vs. the overuse of cgi.
I agree. Movies rely too heavily on CGI these days.
This was not a low-budget movie. This was a major production that spanned multiple continents and took a long time to make. It was the follow-up to "Jaws", which was a huge moneymaker, and this was the 70s, before the studios tightened their pursestrings.
@@TTM9691 i believe that the budget was 20 mio $
@@kasperkjrsgaard1447 Right. "Star Wars" was done for 11 million, which was low budget. "Superman" was done for 55 million.....and that was considered high for that period. Unlike "Star Wars" and "Close Encounters", "Superman" was stacked with expensive movie stars, Brando's salary was big news at the time, and I'm sure Gene Hackman didn't come cheap either. So I wouldn't call "Close Encounters" low budget at all. You have lots of scenes with many extras, you've got lots of special effects, etc. They weren't going to go cheap with the guy who had just delivered them "Jaws" (which is why after CEOT3K was such a smash hit, they gave him unlimited money to make "1941").
I was lucky enough to see Close Encounters and Star Wars in the theaters when I was 9 years old (1977). Both incredible movies that I still enjoy today.
Wow! I'm actually jealous. Must've been an amazing year for your imagination!
It was a huge emotional journey. Thanks for the great comment.
It was a huge thing!!!
I was 13 in 1977, and that year was amazing for films, and even music, if you look at top songs and albums.
I was 7 when I saw both in theaters...well Star Wars theater, Close Encounters at the drive in. Loved them both so much.....blew my little mind.
This film is the love of my life. The SFX were outstanding for their time. I think they created those billowing cloud effects by dropping white/grey paint into a tank of water, but I might be wrong. Lucas and Spielberg demanded the impossible and that's exactly what they got.
You're absolutely right! The SFX were real innovations for their time!
I think the special effects are better then, than now.
INTERESTING FACT below
It is about the Ship (The "Cotopaxi") at 7:19 in the video above.
The wreck of it was actually discovered back in the 1980's however they were not able to figure out what ship it actually was.
They actually weren't able to finally identify it as the "Cotopaxi" until earlier this year (back in January of this year).
Wow that is actually really interesting! Thank you for that and your comment! I'm definitely going to look this up!
@@ShanWatchesMovies You should also (whenever you can) look up "Flight 19" (those 5 planes that were found in the desert at the beginning of the Movie that had vanished back in 1945. That actually really did happen and I think that they still to this day have never been found). What is also interesting about that is that when they first went missing, 1 of the Search & Rescue Planes that went out to look for them actually also vanished.
@@ttanza4004 I think they were found a few years back.
@@ajivins1 I just looked on WIKIPEDIA (which I know is not always reliable). According to them, they have still not been found yet but they're have been a lot of false sightings.
Your reaction to one of my favorite movies captivated me and earned you my sub. I have watched a lot of reviewers and you have become my second favorite with your thorough dissection of the film. You immediately made me want to go and watch your other reactions because of the excitement you projected throughout the film. Thank you for not being just another mundane reactor.
Here is another INTERESTING FACT
The Actor on the left side on the screen at 14:10 (in the video above) is actually Lance Henriksen (Bishop from "ALIENS").
Henriksen also had a small role as a Detective in The Terminator.
Wow! I had no idea till you pointed it out, thank you!
@@ShanWatchesMovies The sergeant who tells "John Smith" he has orders to arrest looters, is Carl Weathers from Rocky and Predator.
@@frankmiller4550 and a big one in Pumpkinhead...
@@ajivins1 I've never seen that one.
"The ship leaves so much to the imagination." Thank your stars you didn't go inside. The mothership's ethereal lighting was achieved by shooting the large model in a smoke-filled room over long periods of time. Best. Leo.
Great to know! Looking forward to 'Making of' video!
@@ShanWatchesMovies There was a special edition of this movie that came out in 1980. Spielberg filmed 20 more minutes of the movie along with a new shot of Roy inside the ship at the behest of Universal but he took out about 20 minutes also. This version you watched is the directors cut which is a combo of the two versions and left out the shot of Roy in the ship which was a good idea.
The model is GORGEOUS and resides at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC
Really enjoying your insightful reactions and appreciation for the craft of filmmaking. I was seven years old when Close Encounters came out. The suspense doesn't take shortcuts and is so masterfully constructed mostly using just shadows, light, sounds and music. You can see the inspiration Kubrick's 2001 had on Spielberg, not just in content, but also in storytelling and cinematographic style. I also remember the eerie original trailer, moving down a road at night with a light at the end over the horizon, while the narrator explains close encounters of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd kind. Brilliant stuff! Looking forward to your next reaction 👍
Thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful comment! I really try to be different from similar channels. I enjoy the on screen stuff as much as the off screen stuff.
This was a fantastic film! It was a slower film as you point out but I love the pacing because you get time to think and contemplate as you're watching! I've seen the original trailer before watching the film and yes, that was great too!
They weren't scared to take time
1977 had so many movies released that year. It's quite amazing.
Couldn't agree more!
I was 22, when this was first released. One of my all-time favorite films. I'm pretty sure I've seen it more often than any other movie over the decades.....except possibly for 'The Great Escape'.
I've heard about the Great Escape from both my Father and late Grandfather, but I've never got around to watching it. Maybe it's time :)
Thank you for your comment!
Around Christmas in the UK they always seemed to show The Great Escape, The Wizard of Oz and Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines!
@@ShanWatchesMovies OMG what an EPIC film!!! If you ever get around to it, there is a documentary about the making of the movie and how true to the facts it was....so much so that some of the actual prisoners from that camp in WW II brought in for authenticating and assuring the scenes' accuracy were so disturbed they had to leave.
This is one of my favorite Spielberg movies (top 3). And being French, it's pretty funny to see François Truffaut act in that film (he was a very famous French director that Spielberg admired). Great reaction as usual, Shan ! Have you seen "Children of Men" by Alfonso Cuaron ? Since you seem to love brilliant filmmaking and directing, you should definitely check it out ;)
Thank you for the wonderful comment! I really loved this film.I had no idea that Truffaut was a famous director. Has he made any films I could react to?
As for Alphonso Cuaron (who is an amazing director), yes I've watched Children of Men. It was fantastic, especially the long shots and the dystopian future. I've watched 2 of his other films: Prisoner of Azkaban and Gravity. Both were great. Maybe I should watch Roma. Thanks again for your comment!
@@ShanWatchesMovies Well, regarding Truffaut, you could react to his first film "400 blows", which kind of gave birth to the French New Wave but I'm not sure you're gonna get a lot of views ^^ It's very "auteur", it's in black and white...very French lol. Anyway you can react to anything you want to, it's a pleasure to watch someone like you who appreciates good filmmaking and analyzes so eloquently what you're watching. Keep up the good work !
400 Blows. I'm definitely going to look that up, thank you again!
You deserve waayyyy more subs!
I love your pure joy watching this!!
It was amazing in the theater!!
Thank you!
Thank you Belinda for your wonderful words! It was really an amazing experience I will not be forgetting anytime soon. Even after over 40 years, this film can bring out someones inner childlike imagination. That alone makes this a excellent film!
Another interesting fact.
The aircraft found at the beginning were from Flight 19. They disappeared off the coast of Florida in what is considered to be the Bermuda Triangle.
They have still not been found.
Yes, another comment did point it out! Thanks for the bit of trivia and the comment though!
I was 6 when we saw this in the theater. Didn't really get it then, but it's become one of my favorite Spielberg movies.
Imagine what it looked like on the big screen! When I first saw it on its first release I wept openly at the end.
The effects were by the great Douglas Trumball, Ralph McQuarrie & Greg Jein. Carlo Rambaldi designed & built the main alien , the others were just children in suits. The effects cloud were achieved by the use of what`s called a Cloud Chamber superimposed over stills & miniatures. John Williams released a disco-version of the theme you should hear.
Wow! thank you for the wonderful insight! I've watched the "Making Of" video and it was facinating!
Another awesome reaction! Thanks for watching this. It's still my fave Spielberg film. Roy is a really fleshed-out character and the UFO moments are so unique and memorable. I saw a UFO one night when I was a kid; it was a massive ship with tiny colorful lights and it was silently hovering then gliding over the treetops at my neighborhood park. My sisters and I remember it like it was yesterday.
Thank you for your wonderful recommendations and comments on my videos Lara and sharing that UFO story! You guys must've been pretty scared! Almost all kids have supernatural experiences when they are young, even I did!
@@ShanWatchesMovies We were too surprised and excited to be scared. LOL For a great 90s film, I vote for Thin Red Line, Magnolia or Thelma & Louise. I'm guessing you've already seen big hits like Heat, Seven, Saving Private Ryan, Fargo and Silence of the Lambs.
From the film's that you recommended I haven't seen Magnolia (I'm a huge Paul Thomas Anderson fan) and Thelma & Louise. I have watched silence of the lambs when I was 12 or 14 years old (it was running on tv and scared the crap out of me) but I'm very familiar with Hannibal Lector's lore as I've seen the series with Mads Mikelson. Would it still count as a reaction if I watch it now, almost 20 years later?
@@ShanWatchesMovies Sounds like you're due for a rewatch. You'll pick up a lot of details you missed as a kid. Have you seen Michael Mann's Manhunter? It's the first film that features Lecter (played by Brian Cox).
@@lara314 I have not watched Manhunter! Looking it up ASAP! Thanks Lara!
I believe 'Empire of the Sun' came out in the 1990s. Steven Spielberg & John Williams again.....& starring young Christian Bale.
Thanks for the comment again. I have watched all of Spielberg's films till 2011 (except Duel, since it was a made for tv film)
@@ShanWatchesMovies Duel is excellent.
It's so exciting watching an intelligent and intellectually curious person like yourself watching classics like this for the first time. When I watch your reactions, I get a bit jealous because I wish I could reset my mind and be able to watch these movies for the 1st time again and get that same feeling of intense wonder and awe. I still get them re-watching them, but it's never the same as when you 1st see something since you have no idea of what's going to happen next. Since you requested a movie from the 90s, I would highly recommend "Contact" starring Jodie Foster and directed by Robert Zemeckis. It's an extraordinary sci-fi film based on the Carl Sagan novel of the same name. It's highly intelligent and very thought-provoking. Keep up the great work and keep watching!!!
Thank you for your kind words!
By the way, Barry's mom is also the mom in _A Christmas Story,_ in case you've seen that. :)
I've always said if I'm fortunate enough to ever be able to own an independent movie theater, I think I'd try to play a lot of classic films and not just new releases. This would be one of the ones at the top of my list. It deserves to be experienced on the big screen.
-This movie works so well not only because of the visuals and acting but because it plays the viewer on an emotional tour-de-force. Every emotion from awe to fear to joy and even sadness. -And for the trivia the keyboard player in the final act (Phil Dodds) was not an actor but the actual technician who was sent to install the ARP-2500 sinthetizer on the filming set. Spielberg sow him doing is job and ask if he wanted to be in the movie. He is even in the credits.
During his great early flush of fame, Spielberg was specifically known for that style of light, that glowing, rainbow luminescence. It comes up again and again. It's part of that optimistic, wide-eyed attitude that made him the spiritual heir to Frank Capra. (Years of watching the Twilight Zone made me not quite as sanguine about those aliens as Stephen was - were they looking to serve man or where they looking _to serve man?)_
Saw 👀 this as a kid not long after it came out! Another great reaction. Unusual reaction channel....because you only choose good films 🎥. And obviously haven't watched them before! THANKS.
thank you so much for your comment and compliments!
Did you notice that the "signing" alien (especially when he smiles) looks a lot like "Barry".
The black out shots were a combination of matte paintings and forced perspective miniature models. The cloud effects including the ring of cloud that formed around Devils tower was shot in a water tank using just the right combo of paints and other liquids. All of the UFOs were miniature models photographed one frame at a time with motion controlled camera set ups. One of the reasons the UFO effects still hold up so beautifully is that when photographing each model they shot a lighting pass in smoke that really accentuated all of those natural lens flairs. All of the special effects were supervised by Douglas Trumbull who is an FX genius.
Really enjoyed your reaction and assessment of this masterpiece!
Cheers
Richard Dreyfuss's last name is actually pronounced "DRY-FUSS".
I myself actually made the exact same mistake pronouncing his last name many many years ago back when I first saw "JAWS". To be completely honest though, There are also several other actors and actresses whose last names I have also pronounced the wrong way as well.
Thank you for the correction! I've actually never heard anyone say that name before so I pronounced it as it's spelt! I will remember it for the next film I watch with him in it!
He's a great actor. Thanks for the info.
I've watched this movie at least 20 times over the years. It's in my top few movies of all time. And yet, until you just said it, I never made the connection that the old guy whistling "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" was foreshadowing of the climax. I feel like an idiot now, it seems so obvious in hindsight. Thanks for that. : ) You have a new subscriber.
Flight 19 was, I think, the disappearance which sparked the mystery of the Bermuda triangle.
Really? I did not know that! I'll definitely look it up!
And USS Cyclops.
@@ShanWatchesMovies yeah it's a crazy story about flight 19
Spielberg said he was young and didn’t have a wife or kids when he made this film. He didn’t really understand the weight or importance of family. He said had he made it later as he matured, he probably would have had Roy stay with his family at the end. It is a snapshot of a young idealistic man’s fantasy. You’ll also notice the constant Jiminy Cricket theme from Pinocchio throughout as Roy shared that childlike “anything is possible” wonder with Barry which Spielberg identified with at that younger time in his life. This is one of my favorite movies but my one grievance now as a married man with 3 kids is how unrealistic it is that he would just up and leave his kids. Great review! Great film! Keep up the good work!
John Williams has composed the score for most of Spielberg's films. I believe when he was first starting out....he snuck onto the Universal Studios lot & took up residency in some abandoned office. Somehow he ended up directing an episode of Night Gallery....or maybe an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents....that featured Joan Crawford. There was also an early film called 'Sugarland Express' starring Goldie Hawn. He really hit it big with a made-forTV movie called 'Duel'....that starred Dennis Weaver. THAT one may be available on TH-cam. It was so good, it opened in theaters in Europe. You'll probably also love 'Empire of the Sun' ( based on a true story ) that starred Christian Bale, when he was still a young kid. Again.....a fantastic score from John Williams.
I have watched Empire of the Sun (and loved it) but haven't watched Duel before. Is it worth watching on the channel though?
and John Williams is really a genius!
@@ShanWatchesMovies..... It looks really well done, but 'Duel' does have a rather simple plot, so maybe not for the channel. I think longtime Spielberg fans consider it to be a cult classic.....in that you can see how he builds the suspense & holds your attention. If you have any close trusted friends who have seen it.....maybe ask their opinion. Either way.....someday, if you just get the chance to see it on your own ( outside of the channel ).....I think you'll enjoy it.
Love Duel!
Thanks for watching this. One of my favorite Spielberg films and a completely unique one. This film contains such a sense of mystery and awe throughout it, and the affected characters, such as Roy, have such blind faith and conviction to follow a calling that they do not understand. The movie pulls at anyone who wants something extraordinary to happen to them, to be part of something extraordinary, and to give yourself to whatever that moment in history is.
Thank you for your comment! I was in awe throughout most of the film! Really brought out my inner child-like imagination!
It warms my heart when younger people watch this movies and really enjoy it. I saw this as a child in the theatre and its still on of my favorite movies of all time. You can't image how scary some parts were to a child in the 70s. Yet, things like Flight 19 were totally unsolved then (and now to be fair).
Your knowledge of cinema is inspiring..great job reacting to my favorite movie of all time
Thank you so much for your compliments!
I saw it in the theater 77. It was the only theater in my area with surround sound. When the mother ship came
out of the clouds, the seats shook and I thought I was having a heart attack. I had never heard anything like it before. Then they started playing the sounds to each other. The vibration went right through me. It was the most intense experience I have ever had in the theater. I had seen Star Wars a few weeks before and loved it, but this film touched me in a very deep way.
Three Spielberg 90s films... SAVING PRIVATE RYAN/ A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/ MINORITY REPORT
I've watched all Spielberg's films till 2011 Jessica!
Shan Watches Movies, oh I gotcha. I missed that part. I’ll come up with a couple 90s movies for you.
All 3 great movies.
There is actually a Pretty Good Deleted Scene from the Movie in which we actually see Richard Dreyfuss (after he walks up the ramp into the ship) inside of the Mothership.
The Deleted Scene is actually also on TH-cam. If you want to see it then just type in the Search Box above "Close Encounters of The Third Kind deleted scene Inside Mothership" and then click Enter and then it should show up.
th-cam.com/video/7JHfkO-CwGk/w-d-xo.html
Thank you guys for your comments! I've checked out the deleted scene after watching the film! But feel like Spielberg's decision to not include any interior shots of the Mothership was a good one since it left so much to the imagination!
The clouds were created by squirting oil into water - you can use white paint. The cinematography I understand was by 21 cameraces in all, although dp credit goes to Vilmos Zsigmond. The most impressive credit for me 'Visual Effects Concepts' by one Steven Spielberg.
Thank you for your wonderful insights. I had no idea how they did all those till I saw the "Making Of" video after watching the film! Zsigmond, along with Spielberg were real innovators of SFX!
Spielberg has reservations now about Dreyfuss leaving with the Aliens while he had a wife and family. This film is amazing
That traumatized me as a kid. Dad leaves with a smile on his face with never a thought about his wife and kids. Spielberg did say he was single at the time of the making of the film and that he'd never have made that ending after being married with kids. I think it's ending ranks up there with Time Bandits for traumatizing kids.
I was actually obsessed with visiting Devil's Tower in Wyoming, USA after I saw this movie. I thought it was so cool. When I visited Devil's Tower, I learned that it's actually a scared place for some Native American tribes which made me feel bad that this film kinda takes that away. It's beautiful in real life. Anyone who's ever in Wyoming should definitely check it out and, please, be respectful when you do. Thanks!
There is a shot here that mirrors Jaws. The scene of the shadow of a spacecraft passing over Roy's truck is like the scene in Jaws where the Shark swims underneath the boat.
Thats an astute observation and a parallel that I completely missed! Thank you for pointing it out!
The special effects were done by Douglas Trumbull, who also did them for "2001 a Space Odyssey" and for "Blade Runner".
I had a very emotional reaction when I first watched this movie, the actual encounter at the end was a beautiful thing, when the researchers and the aliens are basically making music together it still makes me really happy. Great alien movies without horror are a rare treasure.
I saw this movie as 9 year old in cinema (with my mother, my uncle and older cousin - in 1981),
and that's where my passion for science fiction was born.
Due to the Spielberg Lucas friendship E.T's race The Asogians can be seen in the senate scene in The Phantom Menace. (easier to google it than look for it in the movie but still interesting.
Wow! I'll google t for sure!
Another great video...thanks! Francois Truffaut who played the French scientist is a legendary film director in his own right.
Thanks for the compliments! Yes, I read about Truffaut in some other comment!
I remember seeing this in the theaters when it was released. I found $3 in the parking lot...my dad made ME buy the popcorn LOL!! "He's not going arooOOUUUUND!!!" LMAO!!!!! Whenever I watch this movie I always point to the sky on cue like the people in India. The clock switching time...NEVER noticed that before!!! Good eye! "Where is Barry going? DUDE!! SOMETHING'S PULLING HIM!!" LOL, your excitement cracks me up, so authentic!! THIS is what I love about these reaction channels, seeing people's genuine reactions to things I already know, LOVE IT! His actions in filling the house with the materials to build his model indicate (to me) just how powerful the alien's planted message really is...to him there is NOTHING more important than completing the task and in turn GOING to the location. When Roy and Jillian make the connection from seeing Devil's Tower on TV ALWAYS gives me goosebumps. In one of the versions of this movie (not sure which), during the train depot scene when they scan across the crowd you can see two cows humping in the background LOL! The scene where Roy and Jillian reach the part where they get out of the car and climb the bank towards the fence, as soon as they crest the bank and the tower appears in the background, the movie's time signature is 1:23:45.
I was 11 and saw this in the theater with my father, it completely blew my mind. In awe is a description for it.
I am gushing over you gushing over this film!!! For that era, everything was practically unprecedented on that scale. Yes, so many questions and so few answers. During this time there was certainly a lot of UFO activity and the governments were certainly playing the role of cover-up. Even now there's so much being covered up, but that's the reason why films like this were made. The truth had to be put in package form so audiences could digest it. We are still learning, but our learning most importantly must begin with us. The ETs know this and that is why there is a non interference protocol they abide by. But contact has certainly been made.
The clouds are an effect where they film a water tank and pour paint and shine lights in it.
Yes, another comment pointed it out! I ended up watching the "making of" video which was fantastic!
ILM used the same effect for Star Trek II to create the nebula.
The title came from famed astronomer and writer J. Allen Hynek. He is seen in a cameo role near the end of the film. He worked for Project Blue Book debunking UFO sightings until he became a believer (note: I am NOT). Here are his classifications :1) Close Encounters of the First Kind: Sighting. 2) First Encounters of the Second Kind: Physical evidence. 3) Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Contact. 4) Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind: Abduction.
When the little boy, Barry, is looking at what's supposed to be the alien, which we don't see, that was the director dressed up in a bear suit. That's how he got that wonderful look of awe on such a young actor.
This movie is not only one of the most underrated Spielberg films, it’s one of the most underrated films in Sci-fi history. As far as alien encounters movies it is the best ever made, snd that includes one made today. Absolute Masterpiece and it hits me every time I hear about ufo sightings or The Pentagon reports that ufo sightings actually have happened.
The blue bottom section of the ship, I once read, was inspired a photo of Los Angeles at night. It was optically added, only the lower section with ramp part was built. And on the mothership miniature, the model makers stuck a mini X wing from Star Wars, which came out the year before, as a homage.
I never knew that about the L.A. city lights. I can see it now. It is in my opinion the most beautiful spaceship in any film.
@@HermanVonPetri I also read that Spielberg's suggestion for the top was ' make it like an oil refinery at night'.
The actress who played Jillian also played the mom in “A Christmas Story”. (You’ll shoot your eye out!!)
When we first see the mother ship emerge, you can see an extreme, upside down closeup of R2D2!!
The model of the mother ship is in the Smithsonian at the Udvar Hazy pavilion where all the large aircraft and Shuttle Discovery are on display.
Spielberg+Williams i think was the best combo ever! All movies have that unique fantasy atmosphere making you want more!
Two of my favorites in the 90's, The Fugitive and Sling Blade.
'90 Goodfellas, Joe Versus the Vocano, The Hunt for the Red October, Total Recall.
'91 Point Break, Pure Luck, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Silence of the Lambs.
Unforgiven, Braveheart, Grumpy Old Men, Tombstone, Enemy of the State. I could go on and on.
Fun fact, in the early 2000's Spielberg returned to College to get his BA (having dropped out in the 60's to, ironically, direct). His two film submissions were Close Encounters and Schindler's list. Hate to have been the next student presenting their work
Please continue posting videos. Your reactions are among my favorite on TH-cam. I want to see your channel grow! I don’t know what franchises you have or have not seen but I suggest: back to the future, lord of the rings, and Star Wars as good audience builders (only if you haven’t seen them). 90s films: Matrix, galaxy quest, dazed and confused, new jack city, and carlito’s way are all top notch fantastic viewing experiences.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and encouraging comment!
Unfortunately I've watched back to the future, lord of the rings, and Star Wars already. I know these are great audience builders and I saw other youtubers get so many views off these films but I've already them :(
From the other films you recommended, I haven't watched galaxy quest, dazed and confused and new jack city!
Adding them to the list and thanks again for the suggestions!
Saw this on the big screen when it came out and fell in love with it. If you haven't seen Spielberg's first movie, Sugarland Express, with Goldie Hawn (1974) you should put it on your list. Not his best, of course, but you surely won't be disappointed.
Saw this in the theater (and Star Wars) when I was six. In my top ten of all time.
Ha ha, I've seen it many times and never caught that "She'll be comin' round the mountain" line. So funny!
I also found it odd at first but I made the connection when the aliens literally landed on the other side of the 'mountain'!
I'd be curious to see your reaction to "Dark City". Similarly philosophical, deep film that reflects on our mind and what we seek. But by God, watch the director's cut, because the producers totally butchered the theatrical version.
I recommended the very same thing about an hour ago on his Aliens reaction. Small world 🤘
Thank you both for your comments! "Dark City" is definitely going on my List :)
Dark City is a top film of mine. First time i knew of a directors cut, must get it soon.
@@lenfoster1622 you'll love it!
Dark city is a fantastic film.
I would like to highly recommend something a little different.
Steven Spielberg made a 10 part mini series in 2003 called "Taken",
It is an epic story that involves 4 families(and 4 generations of them) that become entangled in the UFO phenomenon that begins with Roswell.
Spielberg mixes all the UFO lore and mythology from the last 60 yrs into his sprawling story.
It is amazing!
Hope you'll give it a look-see, I think you'd really love it even though it steps outside the "movie" mold.
It won a Saturn Award.
Wow I don't believe I've ever heard of it. I'm going to Google it ASAP! Sounds like something Spielberg would do, judging by the scale (60 years of mythology and spanning 4 generations). Thank you so much for the recommendation!
@@ShanWatchesMovies
It's so unique and underrated!
I was blown away by it when it aired.
I loved how he used our UFO lore to build his story around.
Great characters and great storytelling!
He totally nails all the different time periods we spend time in over the 10 eps.
I mean who else besides Spielberg would tackle a 10 part mini series lol
And he doesn't waste any time in it, so well paced!
Loved it.
@@ShanWatchesMovies Taken is a great series, I have watched it a few times. I recommend it.
Not quite ‘all’ the ufo lore. It doesn’t cover the most significant contacts in history; which can be found at www.aetherius.org
The mountain does exist! Devil's Tower is actually Bear Lodge Butte, in norhteastern Wyoming. You can find pictures of the real place online. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Tower
Edit: It can be visited, but since it's sacred to a lot of native nations, it's recommended to stay on the walking trails surrounding it. Actually going up on it like in the movie isn't a thing.
Also, if you look closely at the mothership, there's a tiny R2-D2 from Star Wars on the hull. XD
I'm pretty sure they screen Close Encounters very close by to the tower regularly
Yes I ended up looking up the Devil's Tower after watching the film. If I ever visit the US for an extended period of time I would definitely want go check it out in person! Looks like a beautiful place!
And I had no idea about the R2-D2 cameo! I'll definitely have to rewatch it to catch that. Thank you for that piece of trivia and your comment!
Thanks for the info - I mean that great information.
@@ShanWatchesMovies I went there a few years ago and was disappointed that the backside had quite a drop off where I assume the setup of the base was, lol.
I loved your reactions, Shan. Your summations of the movies you present are always thoughtful. Spielberg took all the sightings and encounters in the movie from real ufo reports. His vision of them was spectacular. I saw this movie in the theatre forty-three years ago; I still remember the gasp the audience let out when the mother ship appeared. I thought this movie was part of American culture so I am always surprised at how many younger people have never heard of it. The movie made 17 times it's production cost. Wow.
I recall those years going to theater re-watching this inspiring film and Star Wars time after time, again and again...
Seeing this again as a husband and father puts a different shine on Roy's actions. As a kid at the cinema I was mindblown of course and definitely wanted Roy to "succeed." A lifetime later though and an early 2000's nostalgic rewatch and... something just didn't sit right. Roy to me suddenly was like that typical mid-life guy pursuing his dream at the expense of his family and in particular his kids. In fact the whole lights in the sky, smashing up his home, driving away those he loved and the paranoid conspiracy thing felt like a metaphor for a descent into some destructive form of self centred madness.
I believe Roy was originally written as much younger and it was Dreyfuss pursuing the role that prompted the then still young Spielberg to rewrite the character as older, and therefore a family man... it adds great drama to the movie but something about that aspect made me kinda nauseous, tbh. But it is still a goosebump rollercoaster of a classic no doubt and just hearing that music again... to coin a phrase from a completely different kind of movie... it's been emotional ;)
Imagine seeing this on the big screen getting on for 50 years ago before home computers and CGI becoming a practical effect and seeing nothing even close to it ever before.
I will never forget.
The shot where Jillian sees the mothership, if you look closely, you will see R2-D2 on its exterior.
The model makers were from ILM and had just finished Star Wars and put him there as a sort of easter egg. Its around the 17:28 mark in your video.
Is that the thing hanging down to the left of the three lights?
@@joconnell8145 Yes.
I got to see the mothership model once with about half the lights working. As impressive as it is on screen it looked even better in person.
@@spaceactivistarchive4180 That would have been really cool!
Man hearing you say WOOOOOOW like that, just imagine it being 1977 (coincidentally the year I was born), and seeing something like this for the first time ever.
Spielberg's fascination with alien encounters would of course later lead to 1982 with E.T. , and decades later with his adaptation of The War Of The Worlds. Interestingly they're 3 of his 4 most *personal* films, the other being Schindler's List.
He's one of the best directors in history, period.
Duel is a must. Spielberg with no budget at all. 1 man and a faceless truck driver. Amazing film.
This was a groundbreaking effects movie that still looks great (although those effects are, understandably, primitive compared to today) but it has a nuts plot that doesn’t stand inspection and no idea what its conclusion should be. I’m not keen on the performances.
The first two thirds is a great horror-thriller, but once we get past the arrival of the mother ship it gets lost and builds to nothing. The aliens are a big disappointment and as a whole, the film doesn’t bear repeated viewing but is interesting in order to watch the birth of modern cinema and the development of the most important director of all time.
I’ve spent five decades waiting for a sequel. Spielberg isn’t shy of making follow ups to his movies but he seems to have abandoned Close Encounters.
This was released after Stars Wars and everyone was all Star Wars crazy, so many people thought is was boring and it wasn’t talked up as much. Yes, it was under rated and I loved it too!
What? I was around at the time. Only the kids went Star Wars crazy. Adults preferred CE3K. My dad loved it but thought Star Wars was shit. Its become lesser known over the years as there was no sequels compared to about a dozen Star Wars films.
@Nature and Physics Even I, as a child didn't care for Star Wars much. I preferred CE3K.
The 'cloud' special effects were done using a large glass tank (called a 'Cloud Tank') with salt water on the bottom layer and freshwater on the top. Various liquids/dyes are injected into the water and filmed.
This is just my opinion but I don't think Roy's family was forgotten in the story. The resolution is that Roy chose to go with the aliens rather than reunite with his family. His wife left him, but he left the entire planet behind lol. My evidence that Spielberg intended this to be the meaning is twofold. One, Jillian had the same visions implanted in her mind as Roy but she chose to stay here on Earth. So clearly the aliens were not forcing anyone to go with them by mind control. Second, in later movies Spielberg does the opposite, he goes out of his way to keep the family characters together. War of the Worlds is a prime example. That shows that the fate of family members is not something he forgets. When he was younger Spielberg was not afraid to show a kid get eaten by a shark, or show a husband and father chose to leave his family behind to go on an interstellar adventure. The older Spielberg goes for the happy endings.
Interesting observation!
In 1978, on a huge screen in 70mm, with surround sound - this film was breathtaking in its scale. The part when the mothership rises from behind the mountain actually caused the audience to draw breath when I went to see it. You could feel the vibration. Looking at it now, the aliens are a little disappointing but the special effects are still amazing. They showed the trailer before the start of Star Wars and so everyone was well primed to seeing it. I believe they filmed it in one of the biggest aircraft hangers in the world ( may have been Boeing’s).
This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and you're like one or two or three TH-camrs who have reacted to it, and you're the only one who has pointed out the spacecraft visible moving in the night sky. They show up at several times throughout the movie.
The clouds forming when the Mother ship shows up, were done by injecting white latex paint into a large aquarium, filmed in slow motion. Mix of warm water layers with cold water layers, kept them at the same level.
It's Neat How SPIELBERG Doesn't Need To Waste Screen/Time Showing The Visions These Characters Have, Or How The Visions Came To Be, Just The INTERPRETATION Of What Has Moved Them To Such A Degree. Very Smart, Indeed.
This is one of my favorite films of all time. Glad to see someone react to it!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment :)
I saw this when it came out as a 7 year old..I loved it so much that at the end i cried and ran down the isle saying I want to go too! the people in the cinema started laughing.. To this day it's my Fav movie ever!!!!!
When this came out, things like VHS were still on the horizon for the average person. Soundtracks were available and listening to John Williams' music is amazing. At this time Disco was still popular and there are at least three different Disco versions of the theme song, one of them actually created by John Williams. (Listening to Night On Bald Mountain - the Disco version - is interesting too!)
Richard dyfuss also played Kurt in American graffiti directed by Lucas.this was good timing when this movie came out cause it was during the big ufo phenomenon that was happening in the u.s. at the time
In Germany, three children's books were published after that movie, "Close Encounters of the Forth / Fifth / Sixth Kind". They continue the story where the film ends, in space with Roy. I loved them as a child, and they are definitely responsible for me being a SciFi nerd. ^^
The rolling clouds were achieved by injecting paint into an aquarium...
At the time, the effect in this film were second to none!
The vsual fx were done by Douglas Trumbull, who did the fx for 2001 and BLADE RUNNER. The remarkable cloud fx were created in a 'cloud tank', with half the tank filled with salt water. A separating sheet of plastic is laid over the salt water, and plain water is poured in carefully. The sheet is removed slowly, the salt water is more dense, so the regular water doesn't mix, but stays atop. Milky liquid is then poured into the tank, but won't mix with the salt water, creating artificial 'clouds'.
The Cotopaxi was a real ship that disappeared in 1925 sailing from Charleston to Havana. In the 1970s it was popularly theorized to have been a victim of the "Bermuda Triangle", although the sunken wreck has subsequently been found.
Did you notice the ship was a HUGE city? Buildings on top, building upside down underneath, etc. In other words they weren't kidnapping people to 'experiment' on, they were giving them an peaceful life in space, populating their cities. I would even say those people they took from the planes were in a war, and they were rescuing them from the horrors they might have had to do or experience. Maybe the one Roy "communicated" with was the one in charge and he was rescuing various species from planets and the child-like ones were one such race.
Great reaction video! I'm so happy you found it as awe-inspiring as I always have! I saw "Star Wars" opening day. I liked it! I saw it three times. But six months later, "Close Encounters" came out. And even as a kid, I was blown away beyond words, and have always remembered it as THE movie of '77. (for me). I mean, it was a big, giant hit! Don't get me wrong! It's not like it was a flop! But "Star Wars" has always eclipsed it, and I've always been a bit miffed that it gets overlooked. To the point that I sometimes will diss "Star Wars"! lol. Star Wars was fun kid stuff; Close Encounters was profound and one-of-a-kind. PS: You pointed out something I NEVER noticed!!!!!! I've seen this movie TEN THOUSAND times and I never made the connection: the old man whistles "She'll Be Coming 'Round The Mountain".....and that's exactly what happens!!! I never made that connection. So thanks!!!!!
The french guy is François Truffaut, he directed fahrenheit 451. an old 70's sci fi movie.he died 7 years after this film was made.
Classic. When this is on tv I stop everything I'm doing and watch.
I'm not going to be skipping it next time its on tv too! It's a timeless classic!
Another fantastic reaction. I remember my Dad taking me to the movies to see this when I was 9 and we both fell asleep lol ... bless him, he worked really long hours and he was more into war movies and westerns, and I was young and just didn't connect all the scenes together very well. These days, I rank this film very highly and it's my best friend's favourite movie ... we've both owned various edits of the movie on multiple formats, and found the 3-disk laserdisk release of the Special Edition particularly good. Great movie :-)
Thank you and I really enjoyed this one! Easily one of the best sci fi films ever made
go watch Contact with Jodie foster. Trust me.