Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) DVD Reviews

Starring	Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, Francois Truffaut
Director	Steven Spielberg
Genres	Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Critics' reviews (4) of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
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Remember the time when aliens were friendly? This is the reverse of sci-fi smash hits such as Independence Day and Men in Black — a delightfully optimistic parable from Steven Spielberg about secret government communications with a visiting spacecraft. Richard Dreyfuss plays the power worker who gets caught up in all the UFO phenomena in a fantasy that's truly suspenseful and genuinely felt, rather than just sweet and sentimental. Yet it's the awesome special effects (such as the glittering mother ship) that really fuel this uplifting tale.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
There's a lot of padding in this slender fantasy, which has less plot and much less suspense than It Came from Outer Space which was made on a tiny budget in 1955; but the technical effects are masterly though their exposure is over-prolonged, and
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
The years since 1977 have shrunk Star Wars, but Close Encounters looks more classic than ever, an insane burst of... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

extra terrestrial

Spielbergs obsession with the outerspace life takes the form of a film again.

The initial half of the movie is gripping and prepares you for something extraordinary.

Its more of a thriller.

The second half doesnt disappoint.

The final scenes are good when the aliens come face to face with the humans.

Its ahead of its time and better than the present day 'War of the worlds'(2005)which is once again a film on aliens by Spielberg.
- - arun from Liverpool, UK
  - Posted 31 Jul 2005 20:49
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

Oldies are the best

The first of its type and still holding its own. Not having watched this film in a lot of years I thought maybe I had remembered it through rose tinted glasses. However I was not disappointed. A thoroughly enjoyable film!
- - suelyn from cheshire
  - Posted 26 Feb 2004 21:14
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

STUNNING, STUNNING, STUNNING...

I can not believe I have waited nearly 30 years to see this film.

Beautifully shot - the great Douglas Trumbull (2001, Silent Running).

Beautifully paced - Spielberg the master at work again.

Beautifully acted - Dreyfus a revelation and Truffaut inspired.

The last 30 minutes are stunning, with so little happening but wonderful to behold. Moving, eye poppingly effective, and the genius of John Williams. The musical exchange is glorious.

This film is for me, rare. A film I would buy for repeated viewings. But then I have nearly 30 years of stupidity & neglect to amend.

WATCH IT. WATCH IT. WATCH IT. 7 out of 7 insufficient.
- - Elgin from Worcestershire
  - Posted 11 Jan 2005 20:34
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
View all
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

extra terrestrial

Spielbergs obsession with the outerspace life takes the form of a film again.

The initial half of the movie is gripping and prepares you for something extraordinary.

Its more of a thriller.

The second half doesnt disappoint.

The final scenes are good when the aliens come face to face with the humans.

Its ahead of its time and better than the present day 'War of the worlds'(2005)which is once again a film on aliens by Spielberg.
- - arun from Liverpool, UK
  - Posted 31 Jul 2005 20:49
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Too good to miss

No matter how many times this is shown on TV, I always tune in to watch. Spielberg at his best. Brilliant performance from Dreyfuss.
- - A customer from Newcastle, England
  - Posted 01 Sep 2004 14:32

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

extra terrestrial

Spielbergs obsession with the outerspace life takes the form of a film again.

The initial half of the movie is gripping and prepares you for something extraordinary.

Its more of a thriller.

The second half doesnt disappoint.

The final scenes are good when the aliens come face to face with the humans.

Its ahead of its time and better than the present day 'War of the worlds'(2005)which is once again a film on aliens by Spielberg.
- - arun from Liverpool, UK
  - Posted 31 Jul 2005 20:49
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

Oldies are the best

The first of its type and still holding its own. Not having watched this film in a lot of years I thought maybe I had remembered it through rose tinted glasses. However I was not disappointed. A thoroughly enjoyable film!
- - suelyn from cheshire
  - Posted 26 Feb 2004 21:14
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

STUNNING, STUNNING, STUNNING...

I can not believe I have waited nearly 30 years to see this film.

Beautifully shot - the great Douglas Trumbull (2001, Silent Running).

Beautifully paced - Spielberg the master at work again.

Beautifully acted - Dreyfus a revelation and Truffaut inspired.

The last 30 minutes are stunning, with so little happening but wonderful to behold. Moving, eye poppingly effective, and the genius of John Williams. The musical exchange is glorious.

This film is for me, rare. A film I would buy for repeated viewings. But then I have nearly 30 years of stupidity & neglect to amend.

WATCH IT. WATCH IT. WATCH IT. 7 out of 7 insufficient.
- - Elgin from Worcestershire
  - Posted 11 Jan 2005 20:34
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

When Sci Fi Grew Up

Close Encounters (working title was "watch the skies") was made at the same time as George Lucas was working on Star Wars Episode IV

Until Close Encounters, science fiction films were rarely serious, mainly "zap alien invaders" , with perhaps the exception of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek attempt as a vehicle for philosophy and anti-racist ideas.

Even Star Wars, advanced for its time as it was, kept very much to the "Damsel in Distress rescued by a hero" (Very Buck Rogers/Flash Gordon) theme, yet Close Encounters managed to rise above all the gung-ho plotting and seriously ask the question "what would the government really do if aliens made contact".

Speilberg manages to put us at our ease about the idea of contact, yet without surrendering the possibility that it wouldn't be to our benefit... early in the film UFO watchers are treated to a dark moment that these "flying things" aren't necessarily friendly, and once again just as the climatic encounter begins, the use of the soundtrack creates a startling moment which once again serves as a reminder of other possibilities.

Spot the occasional in house humour when Bob Balaban, acting as a cartographer employed as a translator for Truffaut, translates the frenchman's language even when he's actually spoken in english!

This was also one of the first films to do a "directors cut" when it was re-released a year after it's debut with extra footage.

An expertly crafted film.
- - FezHarrison from Surrey
  - Posted 31 Jan 2005 unknown
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

All Time Classic

I could watch this over and over again, this film will never grow old, has to be one of the best movies ever made, considering its era...in total its better than a lot of movies being produced today.
- - A customer from Uk
  - Posted 15 Sep 2004 09:11
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Awesome

I just love this movie and it never seems to age.

It brings to life what a lot of people think - are we alone? Well if you believe even part of the film then you must agree that the answer is no. Great acting and direction keep you gripped throughout and the effects (although basic at the time) make this a believable movie.

The only thing that stretches the believable is the fact that a loving Husband could abandone his family to go on a flying saucer trip even if he will not of aged when he returns.

Definately time for a remake or a sequel. I would pay good money to see that.
- - Mark Sproul from Peterborough
  - Posted 02 May 2005 22:09
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Enjoyed

One of Speilbergs best, a familiar theme in his early movies an ordinary man thrown into an akward situation (Jaws,Duel).

Great script and effects for it's time. And John Williams great score.
- - Seany4 from Surrey
  - Posted 23 May 2005 13:15
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Too good to miss

No matter how many times this is shown on TV, I always tune in to watch. Spielberg at his best. Brilliant performance from Dreyfuss.
- - A customer from Newcastle, England
  - Posted 01 Sep 2004 14:32
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Get ready to what it, again, and again...

I'd seen this movie way back when... Early 80's I think after it had been out a for a few years; and it was good then.

It was even better when I watched it again some years later. When the widescreen version came out on VHS (remember those), I bought it and watched it again... Still loved it.

Ok so it's a concept that by now has been used to death but the original is always the best and Close Encounters set the bench mark for movies based on 'interacting' with beings from 'wherever' and other than a few movies being well made, my opinion is it will always be one of the best...

For me it's a movie I continue to watch at least once every couple of years.
- - MartinKoss from Louth
  - Posted 28 Feb 2005 13:56
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

A Spielberg Classic

Easily one of his best and most thought-provoking movies. The difference in perspective to other alien films sets it apart as one of the best ever made. Those who don't agree probably didnt even cry when E.T died!
- - Monster from Smallville, UK
  - Posted 29 Jun 2004 22:48

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Critics' reviews (4)
Remember the time when aliens were friendly? This is the reverse of sci-fi smash hits such as Independence Day and Men in Black — a delightfully optimistic parable from Steven Spielberg about secret government communications with a visiting spacecraft. Richard Dreyfuss plays the power worker who gets caught up in all the UFO phenomena in a fantasy that's truly suspenseful and genuinely felt, rather than just sweet and sentimental. Yet it's the awesome special effects (such as the glittering mother ship) that really fuel this uplifting tale.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
There's a lot of padding in this slender fantasy, which has less plot and much less suspense than It Came from Outer Space which was made on a tiny budget in 1955; but the technical effects are masterly though their exposure is over-prolonged, and
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
The years since 1977 have shrunk Star Wars, but Close Encounters looks more classic than ever, an insane burst of... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Included in the New York Times "10 BEST FILMS OF 1977"
- New York Times
- Posted 11 Mar 2005