Steven Spielberg created some of the most iconic films as a Director. Be it Jaws, Jurassic Park, or Schindler’s List, he laid out his craftsmanship brilliantly. Nothing, however, beats E.T. and its poignant ending that remains memorable for most people, even Spielberg himself. The Director shared his thoughts on his film’s ending.
Steven Spielberg on his favorite sequence in E.T
Steven Spielberg recently spoke to Empire Magazine, where he spoke about his cinematography, works, and most importantly, E.T.’s ending. He shared the entire process of how it all started and how it culminated in a beautiful journey.
“We shot it at the end of the schedule, where I had religiously made the whole movie in continuity. Because of the tender age of the kids, they needed to know what they were shooting today was progressing a couple of pages later from what we were shooting yesterday. So the kids actually maintained an emotional continuity and were able to perform as themselves within the realm of these characters.“
Drew Barrymore was 6 years old, Henry Thomas was 9, and Robert McNaughton was 15 years old during the filming of E.T. They played the roles of the Taylor siblings who discover E.T. in their shed. The alien is stranded and is separated from his spaceship.
What follows is a beautiful journey of friendship, nurturing, and love. E.T., while being a kids’ movie, also had underlying themes of acceptance, openness, and hope.
Spielberg revealed that the best part of the movie is the sequence. The entire movie isn’t a single shot but a chain of sequences, and the ending happened to be his favorite. It is a tearjerker and a bittersweet tone in more ways than one.
“The sequences that I love the most in E.T. are the goodbye scene between the kids and E.T., and it’s especially the moment where E.T and Elliott embrace. And then E.T. touches Elliot’s forehead with his finger light and says, “I’ll be right here.” And that always stands out for me, even when I was shooting it.“
Gertie presents E.T. the Chrysanthemum flowers, which are deeply symbolic as the flower represents friendship, hope, and joy. Her gesture tugs at the viewers’ heartstrings and is sure to make viewers cry a river.
