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About this movie

Genres:
Drama, Science Fiction, Mystery & Suspense
Language:
English
Running time:
2:14:44
Partner rating:
PG
Released:
Quality:
480 (DVD equivalent)

Cast & Crew

Cast

  1. Richard Dreyfuss Roy Neary
  2. Francois Truffaut
  3. Teri Garr Ronnie Neary
  4. Melinda Dillon Jillian Guiler
  5. François Truffaut Claude Lacombe
  6. Cary Guffey Barry Guiler
  7. Bob Balaban David Laughlin
  8. J. Patrick McNamara Project leader
  9. Warren Kemmerling Wild Bill
  10. Roberts Blossom Farmer
  11. Norman Bartold Ohio Tolls

Directors

  1. Steven Spielberg

Producers

  1. Julia Phillips
  2. Michael Phillips
  3. Jim Bloom

Writers

  1. Steven Spielberg

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Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

ThumbnailPlay video in overlay1:08

Trailer for Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

Steven Spielberg followed Jaws (1975), his first major box-office success, with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) is an electrical lineman who, while sent out on emergency repairs, witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical, then c... Steven Spielberg followed Jaws (1975), his first major box-office success, with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) is an electrical lineman who, while sent out on emergency repairs, witnesses an unidentified flying object, and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical, then concerned, and eventually fearful, as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his job, his home, and his family to pursue the "truth" about UFOs. Neary's obsession eventually puts him in contact with others who've had close encounters with alien spacecraft, including Jillian (Melinda Dillon), a single mother whose son disappeared during her UFO experience, and Claude Lacombe (celebrated French filmmaker François Truffaut), a French researcher who believes that we can use a musical language to communicate with alien visitors. Lacombe's theory is put to the test when a band of government researchers and underground UFO enthusiasts (including Neary) join for an exchange with alien visitors near Devil's Tower, Wyoming. In 1980, a "Special Edition" was released. While its primary selling point was the addition of scenes inside the alien spaceship, Spielberg claimed that he also cleaned up some choppy editing in the second act.

Trailer for Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

Reviews by Rotten Tomatoes

Scored 'fresh' by Rotten Tomatoes

95%Tomatometer score: 95% positive reviews from professional critics.

percent positive reviews

  1. Positive review
    Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times One of the great moviegoing experiences. – Full review External link
  2. Positive review
    Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader This is dopey Hollywood mysticism all right, but thanks to considerable craft and showmanship, it packs an undeniable punch. – Full review External link
  3. Positive review
    A.D. Murphy, Variety A daring film concept which in its special and technical effects has been superbly realized. – Full review External link
  4. Positive review
    Vincent Canby, New York Times The best -- the most elaborate -- 1950's science fiction movie ever made, a work that borrows its narrative shape and its concerns from those earlier films, but enhances them with what looks like... – Full review External link
  5. Positive review
    James Berardinelli, ReelViews Close Encounters of the Third Kind is unquestionably a great movie. – Full review External link

Read more reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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