In the 80's Spielberg said "ET is my most successful film, but Close Encounters is the best-directed." This scene is an example. 5 minutes of inspired, incredible visual filmmaking. The "headlights" moment never gets old, and the composition of the lonely railway crossing is poetry.
One has to wonder whether this scene was inspired by the old blues legend of meeting the Devil at the crossroads at midnight. Especially since the movie culminates at Devil's Tower, also at night.
@@justmiau An instance where the Director took fringe science and peoples experiences respectfully. This was basically a Documentary. The Roy dinner sequence about a man haunted by an experience he does not understand always gets me.
Absolutely. I remember when I first saw it, when the lights behind him start to lift, the whole theater started laughing and gasping. I love the abrupt change of the sound from the tranquil rural road to an imposing roar and blinding lights, then back to the silence. Also... the lack of music is brilliant and chilling.
I saw this movie when it was first released in a large theater in San Francisco. During this scene there wasn't a peep in the theater except when the ship lit up Roy's truck, a very scared sounding woman said, "Oh my God." Then there were a few gasps. Loved it!
The balance between humor, wonder, and chills is almost overwhelming. When you get that night shot of Neery driving down the road and up in the sky there's a single out-of-place light moving across the sky, you really have no idea what to feel.
You have to admit the way the alien ship came behind the car making it look like a random truck but then the lights start rising revealing itself to actually be a space ship was sick wasn’t it
Seen this movie maybe 100 times and no other movie still has the mystery this movie does. I love how so much is left unexplained in it. Thats what makes it timeless.
I was 15 years old when this movie hit the theaters and did not know Devil's Tower existed at that time. I'm finally making my trip to see it in a few weeks. What a great movie.
Just saw it myself! Drove from Chicago to Seattle; interstate 90 the whole way! I was born in the late 80s so my parents introduced me to this masterpiece of a film. One of my favorites so seeing Devil’s Tower was very special for me.
Wow thats so cool! I'd love to see it myself someday! Its incredible how films can convey such a sense of a place and often its based on real life. Unfortunately I'm far off. Vegas and the Mojave though - for me that'd be a dream come true. Many video games and UFO stories in general are prominent in that area. Not to mention Area 51. Would be an amazing road trip.
@@dapto234 Oh it's more a pipe dream for me too mate! I'm in rural Canada lol. I get that feeling of bein stuck someplace. But your everyday Australia sounds amazing to me too!
All the practical effects and simple things like the abrupt absence of insect noises, and their return, the mailboxes and railroad crossing swinging rapidly, the flashlight turning on. Jaws was the most impactful film Spielberg directed because it taught him how to do more with less.
About 10 years after that movie came out, I was with my buddy, driving around in his work truck at night, out in a rural area. We stopped at a railroad crossing . Then all of a sudden a micro-burst (tornado) rolled over us. It reminded me of this scene in the movie, because the railroad crossing sign began to shake violently, and the wind was whipping all around us, and there was a vacuum-like air current, sucking everything out of the cabin interior. In an instant there was an intense hail storm that beat down on cab roof so hard, which made a roaring sound, so loud we couldn't hear each other, yelling "Oh my god, oh my god"!! The whole harrowing ordeal probably didn't last more than 15 minutes, and then it was over.
What i thought was VERY cool in this scene is how the light shined on ahead of him on the road after his encounter-like the ship continued its silent reconnaisance without missing a beat
That was probably the creepiest part of the scene, not that it was checking out Roy, it just went about it's business in silence after, you'd never know it was there unless it turned on its lights!
I wish I could see this movie for the first time again, the way I did when I was 13. Absolutely brilliant film, will always have a special place in my heart.
My first favorite movie when I was a child! I remember I recorded it, on Beta, and watched it over and over again. I've since gotten it on DVD and just last year, on Blu-ray.
We made the best movies in the 70’s and 80’s that are still being made as run offs today in 2022. Sadly the new generation will never experience the thrill of going to a theater ( Before all this technology we have today) to enjoy block busters like this. We were lucky to have lived it and it was all so good!
This stunned everyone in the audience including me!😮 That incredible base rumble!! and the light then…….just silence…….unbelievable!! but you had be at the cinema with a large screen and ‘Dolby surrounded’ to really experience it. No tv even today with the sound tech we have can “duplicate“ it. just amazing! Iconic scene in cinema history.
I was 6 years old when this came out and my parents took me to see it and I have to say it blew my mind. I was always interested in space and the solar systems Etc, but this got me believing in life on other planets and planes of existence. That's a lot for a 6-year-old mind to comprehend but it still gives me chills till this day. The most amazing movie I've ever seen even better than Star Wars and ET, for me it was a life-changing event
Gonna leave a comment here, since I dont see it mentioned. (Found it in the comment section of another clip on here of the same scene) If you listen closely, you can hear the "close encounters music" "sent" by the UFO to Roy spread out (with your sounds settings right) Basically when the light hits him, then a few seconds later, etc If you watch the shorter "official clip" of this scene and check the comment section, the person who found it has the time marks for each tone
In case you have ever wondered why the mailboxes were shaking and all the junk in the pickup was moving around and look at the actor actually start floating in his seat. This is because of the anti gravity field the UFO is emitting and the close proximity to the truck actually being partially in that field.
The add campaign for the movie was unprecedented and heightened the anticipation. Like an Orson Wells War of the Worlds where it's relayed as an epic event of sorts rather then just promoting a movie. And the movie fed that type of anticipation to the tenth power. Amazing. What's more amazing is that I heard snoring as the aliens came out of the ship and it was my mom snoring.
I saw this at the drive in with my dadn & older sister. I was 10 years old laying on the hood of dads Monte Carlo. I can still feel the night summer air on my skin as I write this. one of my most. cherished memories.
I like to label this scene as "the point of no return." This is where the Universe grabs Roy by the collar and bitch slaps him"Hey stupid! Wake the fu*k up!!! There's more going around you than you're robotic 9-5 job , then go home and chill out in front the TV with a beer - get back up and do all over again tomorrow routine"
Here's a fun little experiment you can do: watch this scene with the sound off. It changes nothing at all about what you learn and how it makes you feel. One of the best examples of how to direct a scene.
This part where the stuff goes flying was done by rolling a truck cab. I read they had to do it over several times as Richard had a hard time sitting still. 😂
Yeah, I think he is supposed to be having something like a seizure because the UFO just blasted his mind with a nonverbal message which drives him crazy for much of the movie trying to figure out.
Sometimes (as a movie watcher) just knowing that you're safe at home (or in a theater) watching from a distance a scene where you think "What's the big deal? Why are they behaving like that? They're over reacting." you're disconnected from what you're watching. If that were real life and it was you, you'd probably react in a similar (if not worse) way - when the whole thing comes on you as a total surprise from left field.
........ all these Years Later this Scene Creeps me out and Impresses me at the Same Time I wonder how Steven Spielberg Recorded this Scene with the Electronics going Haywire.....
I vaguely remember a version of this movie where the mailboxes actually played the musical arrangement, that the chosen people are obsessed with. But I've never been able to find proof of it.
Come on Paul Thomas Anderson or Ari Aster or Denis Villeneuve or Robert Eggers or Alfonso Cuarón.....please make a movie like this. We're dying here!!!!
I have seen this movie a few times, including when it first hit cinemas in the 1970s. I love this movie. That said, watching this clip on YT made me realize something I never thought of before: *_WHY ARE THERE MULTIPLE MAILBOXES NEXT TO A RAILROAD CROSSING?_*
It's a preliminary SKILL test. As a train rolls by, the man in the mail car tosses letters at the row of mailboxes....if he scores one in ten, then the USA Post Office will immediately hire you!....because that beats thier average!
I remember seeing this the summer this came out and during the scene when hes driving and the camera pans far out to show the beautiful night sky you can see something coming diagonally from the top left and I started to ask my aunt, "what was that thing moving?" but got shushed. Then it all made sense!! What a scene! And it flashing that light further down the road was an incredible addition! Why did it do that?! Did it stop at all stop signs?
In the 80's Spielberg said "ET is my most successful film, but Close Encounters is the best-directed." This scene is an example. 5 minutes of inspired, incredible visual filmmaking. The "headlights" moment never gets old, and the composition of the lonely railway crossing is poetry.
One has to wonder whether this scene was inspired by the old blues legend of meeting the Devil at the crossroads at midnight. Especially since the movie culminates at Devil's Tower, also at night.
I agree! This is by far a much better movie. John Williams' musical score for this one surpasses "E.T.'s"
I think Spielberg is an alien and a good one
@@justmiau An instance where the Director took fringe science and peoples experiences respectfully. This was basically a Documentary. The Roy dinner sequence about a man haunted by an experience he does not understand always gets me.
Absolutely. I remember when I first saw it, when the lights behind him start to lift, the whole theater started laughing and gasping. I love the abrupt change of the sound from the tranquil rural road to an imposing roar and blinding lights, then back to the silence. Also... the lack of music is brilliant and chilling.
44 years since the original release... and still chills me.
Doesn’t it. Nothing compares to this film
In my opinion, this is Spielberg's best movie he's ever done. Fantastic story. Great acting. Wonderful music from the master, Sir John Williams!
To me, as a lifetime sci/fy buff, the best sci/fy movie ever....this, and the true story of the Travis Walton abduction.
I've always loved Spielberg's humour. Waving on the spacecraft is a choice moment.
The flashlight gets me every time
Waving on the space craft? When?
@@mikerotonda6264 When Roy thought it was another car behind him, he motions for them to go around.
But they went UP.
So choice! 😉
Thats probably the whole reason hes in this mess the aliens probably thought he chose this lol
I saw this movie when it was first released in a large theater in San Francisco. During this scene there wasn't a peep in the theater except when the ship lit up Roy's truck, a very scared sounding woman said, "Oh my God." Then there were a few gasps. Loved it!
You look like you were about 15 years from being born when this was released
@@AncientCityMusic That's my son, dumbass.
Just one of the most brilliantly conceived and directed sequences in any film ever.
The balance between humor, wonder, and chills is almost overwhelming. When you get that night shot of Neery driving down the road and up in the sky there's a single out-of-place light moving across the sky, you really have no idea what to feel.
This whole movie is a master class on building tension. Balancing fear and wonderment.
exactly. pure genius
When you have had four 'up close and in my face' UFO sightings, (As I've had) it makes it all the more impactful.
When I first saw this, when the headlights went up behind Richard Dreyfuss, the whole audience gasped.
Gotta love the moving “star” at 1:01
There are little moments like this throughout the beginning of the film. Find ‘em all..
Please, someone start making movies like this again (and No, I dont mean a sequel) . Just more movies with great stories and real people
The lead character has to be a multiracial transgender or it can't be made.
@@dougfisher1813 that wouldnt bother me if they just do something original and based on a decent story, not an agenda.
Not unless it ticks every globohomo box.
You talking about making people THINK. I don’t believe we can do that anymore.
Amen.
Spielbergs masterpiece.the opening scene with the planes sets up the film and this scene is a masterclass of composition.the film is ahead of its time
You have to admit the way the alien ship came behind the car making it look like a random truck but then the lights start rising revealing itself to actually be a space ship was sick wasn’t it
Sick?? I thought it was genious!
I just started laughing because it was so funny. But if it happened to me, I know I wouldn't laugh.
Seen this movie maybe 100 times and no other movie still has the mystery this movie does. I love how so much is left unexplained in it. Thats what makes it timeless.
I was 15 years old when this movie hit the theaters and did not know Devil's Tower existed at that time. I'm finally making my trip to see it in a few weeks. What a great movie.
Just saw it myself! Drove from Chicago to Seattle; interstate 90 the whole way! I was born in the late 80s so my parents introduced me to this masterpiece of a film. One of my favorites so seeing Devil’s Tower was very special for me.
Wow thats so cool! I'd love to see it myself someday! Its incredible how films can convey such a sense of a place and often its based on real life. Unfortunately I'm far off. Vegas and the Mojave though - for me that'd be a dream come true. Many video games and UFO stories in general are prominent in that area. Not to mention Area 51. Would be an amazing road trip.
@@SithisShapedHole Lucky you are in the US I'm in Australia so no chance of seeing it for myself.
@@dapto234 Oh it's more a pipe dream for me too mate! I'm in rural Canada lol. I get that feeling of bein stuck someplace. But your everyday Australia sounds amazing to me too!
Did you stay at the K.O.A Devils Tower campgrounds? Every night in the camp Courtyard, they play CE3K on a big screen.
Some of the scenes in this movie still give me more chills than all the horror movies these days.
All the practical effects and simple things like the abrupt absence of insect noises, and their return, the mailboxes and railroad crossing swinging rapidly, the flashlight turning on. Jaws was the most impactful film Spielberg directed because it taught him how to do more with less.
About 10 years after that movie came out, I was with my buddy, driving around in his work truck at night, out in a rural area. We stopped at a railroad crossing . Then all of a sudden a micro-burst (tornado) rolled over us. It reminded me of this scene in the movie, because the railroad crossing sign began to shake violently, and the wind was whipping all around us, and there was a vacuum-like air current, sucking everything out of the cabin interior. In an instant there was an intense hail storm that beat down on cab roof so hard, which made a roaring sound, so loud we couldn't hear each other, yelling "Oh my god, oh my god"!! The whole harrowing ordeal probably didn't last more than 15 minutes, and then it was over.
What i thought was VERY cool in this scene is how the light shined on ahead of him on the road after his encounter-like the ship continued its silent reconnaisance without missing a beat
That was probably the creepiest part of the scene, not that it was checking out Roy, it just went about it's business in silence after, you'd never know it was there unless it turned on its lights!
I wish I could see this movie for the first time again, the way I did when I was 13. Absolutely brilliant film, will always have a special place in my heart.
No CGI..just practical effects..and it still holds up after all these years.
That's because of the amazing visual effects of Douglas Trumbull, who was also responsible for the visual effects in the original Blade Runner.
I like how the ufo pulls up the man waving at it not paying attention and then it starts floating in the air
You're in the middle of the road, Tralfarz!
Could you tell me where Cornbread is? Phelborp!
it is a delorian
My first favorite movie when I was a child! I remember I recorded it, on Beta, and watched it over and over again. I've since gotten it on DVD and just last year, on Blu-ray.
What a masterpiece this film is. Movies will never be like this again. A film became a blockbuster through word of mouth, not a $100 mil. ad blitz.
I took my Mom to see this at the drive in theatre in the 1970s... the scene where the "car" levitates out of scene scared the crap out of us both...
We made the best movies in the 70’s and 80’s that are still being made as run offs today in 2022. Sadly the new generation will never experience the thrill of going to a theater ( Before all this technology we have today) to enjoy block busters like this. We were lucky to have lived it and it was all so good!
This stunned everyone in the audience including me!😮 That incredible base rumble!! and the light then…….just silence…….unbelievable!! but you had be at the cinema with a large screen and ‘Dolby surrounded’ to really experience it. No tv even today with the sound tech we have can “duplicate“ it. just amazing! Iconic scene in cinema history.
This was a GREAT movie. i had such a crush on Richard Dreyfus....
No accounting for tastes, I guess.
1:15 - I want to roll down map in my car.
I was 6 years old when this came out and my parents took me to see it and I have to say it blew my mind. I was always interested in space and the solar systems Etc, but this got me believing in life on other planets and planes of existence. That's a lot for a 6-year-old mind to comprehend but it still gives me chills till this day. The most amazing movie I've ever seen even better than Star Wars and ET, for me it was a life-changing event
And just this weekernd, using F22s, the U.S shot, 2 of these UAPs down, one over Alaska the other Yukon.
@@balung really I didn't hear about that. What happened? I have to Google it now to find out more
Christmas night 1983 was the first time I ever saw it. I've been hooked ever since!!!
Totally!
@@balungrubbish! Have you seen the “tic tack” encounter? nothing on this earth can match their speed! It’s tech beyond our comprehension.
Brilliant then at 12 years of age. Absolutely brilliant and way more breathtaking at 59. Thanks Steve. Yer a master
I'm so glad we have navigation today LOL
1:00 you can see the ufo tracking him
You're right!
No way hahaha I wonder if that was planned
That's just a plane in the sky, I reckon
@@FoodForThought356well that would be no fun
One of the millions of stars is moving across the sky following his truck
Gonna leave a comment here, since I dont see it mentioned. (Found it in the comment section of another clip on here of the same scene)
If you listen closely, you can hear the "close encounters music" "sent" by the UFO to Roy spread out (with your sounds settings right)
Basically when the light hits him, then a few seconds later, etc
If you watch the shorter "official clip" of this scene and check the comment section, the person who found it has the time marks for each tone
Goosebumps everytime.
But why were there mail-boxes at the rail-road crossing? Shouldn't there be houses close by if there are mail-boxes?
Hearing the crickets chirping stop reminded of the trailer for NOPE
There's like an extra edit when he shines his flashlight that makes it so much creepier. I love that.
1:39, that scene sends shivers down my spine..👍
0:59 if you look up at the sky on the left hand side of the screen, you can see a light flying. Is that possibly the spaceship?
Yes :)
I'm pretty everyone saw it. It's obvious
@@work90 you’re pretty and everyone saw? lol
Never noticed it before!
@@WiredLain_I think he meant to say pretty sure.
Bravo bravo bravo!! This scene alone is award winning
A timeless classic
In case you have ever wondered why the mailboxes were shaking and all the junk in the pickup was moving around and look at the actor actually start floating in his seat. This is because of the anti gravity field the UFO is emitting and the close proximity to the truck actually being partially in that field.
2:35 those alien's just turned a normal railroad crossing into a wig wag 😆
I noticed that as well.
Could you tell me where Cornbread is? Turkey!
😂
What does he mean Turkey! Is it an insult?
@@Imp5011 Yes it’s an insult
@@Imp5011 Very 1970s insult. Variation of jive turkey.
Maybe he wants a turkey sandwich on cornbread
But it's all just gravy.
this scene is the bomb! That ship going up is incredibly an awesome effect!
Kurt is still looking for the blonde in the white t-bird….
Current New Jersey resident in 2024.
IMHO that is the best encounter scene ever made... 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
4:23 I always found this part unintentionally funny. Dreyfuss acting is superb.
The add campaign for the movie was unprecedented and heightened the anticipation. Like an Orson Wells War of the Worlds where it's relayed as an epic event of sorts rather then just promoting a movie. And the movie fed that type of anticipation to the tenth power. Amazing. What's more amazing is that I heard snoring as the aliens came out of the ship and it was my mom snoring.
great 1977 sci fi movie
Fantastic scene, although I always laugh a little when the temperature gauge itself begins to smoke at 02:43. 😁
I saw this at the drive in with my dadn & older sister. I was 10 years old laying on the hood of dads Monte Carlo. I can still feel the night summer air on my skin as I write this. one of my most. cherished memories.
From 2:18 to 3:18 you can hear the iconic 5 tones being played slowly from the ufo. This is when it got imprinted in Roy's mind.
I cant hear them at all
@@DAVIDE-bk8by me neither, if someone else hears, can you put a timestamp? it’d be cool to see.
He said slowly. Maybe if you put the vídeo faster could you hear It.
Still Outstanding to this day.
This is my 5th favorite movie directed by Steven Spielberg (behind E.T., Jaws, Ready Player One and Indiana Jones 3)
@1:35 the UFO pulled up, realized the guy wasn’t moving and said that’s aiight, I’ll go around you.
Why would 14 people give this a thumbs down?
Ivor Biggun
1 week ago I honestly don't know.
They're Dicks . Plain and simple.
@@ralphreinhardt6020 Yep, they're also a bunch of idiots too.
Not enough micheal bay splosions.
misearable ppl 🤣some ppl jus unhappy. or have. no taste 😂😜😉❣️😆
🕊️ 🕊️👽🐽
I like to label this scene as "the point of no return." This is where the Universe grabs Roy by the collar and bitch slaps him"Hey stupid! Wake the fu*k up!!! There's more going around you than you're robotic 9-5 job , then go home and chill out in front the TV with a beer - get back up and do all over again tomorrow routine"
I wish more people realised that.
Wow' My Favorite scene in the entire movie! I’m sure most people would do that also……This is nuts.
Here's a fun little experiment you can do: watch this scene with the sound off. It changes nothing at all about what you learn and how it makes you feel.
One of the best examples of how to direct a scene.
Wen his torch went on! 🤣 scary but amzing scene! This and barry's abduction scene were the most terrifying scenes of CEOTTK movie!
Also it was almost like the truck was influenced by the ships anti-gravity abilities-the items in his truck floating around inside the cab
That final scene is hilarious 😅
The tense in this scene is such intense, you almost think you are sitting with him in that truck!
Before Google maps!
This part where the stuff goes flying was done by rolling a truck cab. I read they had to do it over several times as Richard had a hard time sitting still. 😂
There was not one thing wrong with that scene. Perfect.
As the truck drove by, we didn’t think that light flying in the sky was anything except the plane. It’s the kind that blink and you miss it scene.
Really wish Spielberg would return to this subject......
He is.
He's making a new UFO movie which will be released in 2026.
At @3:14 What's happening to him? He looks like he's having some kind of seizure from the event.
Yeah, I think he is supposed to be having something like a seizure because the UFO just blasted his mind with a nonverbal message which drives him crazy for much of the movie trying to figure out.
It's a traumatic event...his mind and body are reeling with adrenaline and fear.
Sometimes (as a movie watcher) just knowing that you're safe at home (or in a theater) watching from a distance a scene where you think "What's the big deal? Why are they behaving like that? They're over reacting." you're disconnected from what you're watching. If that were real life and it was you, you'd probably react in a similar (if not worse) way - when the whole thing comes on you as a total surprise from left field.
I always thought that was when the aliens implanted the vision of Devil's Tower into his head.
Hes probably struggling to breath due to the terror he's feeling.
........ all these Years Later this Scene Creeps me out and Impresses me at the Same Time I wonder how Steven Spielberg Recorded this Scene with the Electronics going Haywire.....
I just came here to say "Can you tell me where Cornbread is? TURKEY!!!!!"
Dogs bark, crickets chirping, giant soundless light beam from above
Now i see where Jordan Peele's "Nope" got some of its inspiration from
Corect! Absolut corect! Exceptional! Exact ca in realitate! Atentie!
VIATA BATE FILMUL! 🙄🤗🙄😉👌🎩😁🤩😍💞🎥🎦💕❤️💖💎
Still funny decades later.
when he gets spooked by the flashlight at the end, haha
Just awesome.
I vaguely remember a version of this movie where the mailboxes actually played the musical arrangement, that the chosen people are obsessed with. But I've never been able to find proof of it.
Want to use this clip every time I teach narrative realism as artificial but realistic.
The railroad signal violently shaking makes me laugh every time.
This film was based on real events so ive been told
Saw this at the movies with my best childhood friend. We freaked out over the whole film. Just awesome
Love this movie!
What a film just perfect
Come on Paul Thomas Anderson or Ari Aster or Denis Villeneuve or Robert Eggers or Alfonso Cuarón.....please make a movie like this. We're dying here!!!!
I have seen this movie a few times, including when it first hit cinemas in the 1970s.
I love this movie.
That said, watching this clip on YT made me realize something I never thought of before:
*_WHY ARE THERE MULTIPLE MAILBOXES NEXT TO A RAILROAD CROSSING?_*
It's a preliminary SKILL test. As a train rolls by, the man in the mail car tosses letters at the row of mailboxes....if he scores one in ten, then the USA Post Office will immediately hire you!....because that beats thier average!
@blackholeentry3489 >>> 🤭
Ohhh wht a film making🙇♂️🙇♂️🙇♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🙆♂️🙆♂️🙏🙏😍😍👍👍😊😊
Heard but never seen this movie...may b 1 day
Great special effects
I remember seeing this the summer this came out and during the scene when hes driving and the camera pans far out to show the beautiful night sky you can see something coming diagonally from the top left and I started to ask my aunt, "what was that thing moving?" but got shushed. Then it all made sense!! What a scene!
And it flashing that light further down the road was an incredible addition! Why did it do that?! Did it stop at all stop signs?
The crickets stopped.
Brilliant.
Does anyone knows who played the angry passenger in the other car?
"It's Better than Goofy Golf".....lol
This is very similar to what happen to me and my grand parents going from Ohio to west Virginia one night
I understand WHY the lights went out-electromagnetic interference- but why did the mailboxes and railroad sign shake?
I have it in my DVD library