Steve

When the orginal E.T. first came out, I personally liked the movie. It was one of the few I would go and see over and over if the time was available to do so.

But with all the editing done to make it politically correct, the movie was ruined. I think the box office says the same thing - look at the grosses.

I can totally understand why Steven Speilberg wanted to remove the terrorist word. I accept that. But the rest of the editing? It went overboard.

I am truly sorry, Mr. Speilberg....I think it was a tragic error to edit your movie to make it politically correct. It ruined your true masterpiece which was once your pride and joy 20 years ago.

Paul

Dave Williams - Yes, that change bothered me tremendously when I saw the "special" edition of Empire. Completely baffling as to why it was changed. I too wish that future video releases of the trilogy included the original versions, but I just checked my VHS copies of the original versions, and there is a quote from Lucas on the outside of the box that says it is the "final video release of the trilogy in its original form". Ugh.

When it comes down to it, I think that any "new" versions of movies should be released in addition to, not in place of, the original. The original should always be available. I have no right to tell the directors not to make new versions of their own movies, but they have no right to try to erase or alter cultural history.

I've read a few news stories that say the DVDs of E.T. will have both the original and the new version, which is encouraging, but I still won't be satisfied until I actually get it in my hands.

On your dvd, check out the audio commentary at about 111min 30sec (give or take 10 seconds) it is during the credit scroll, they discuss "director's cut"

Steve

The STAR WARS Special Editions were tragic, IMO.

However, I think they did about as tasteful a job as they could with ET. Personally, I would have left it alone...it was fine. But removing the guns didn't bother me as much as I was expecting.

The music cross-fade where they cut the shot of the rifle being cocked is annoying, but they had to do that for sync purposes. And I wonder if anybody else notices this...I've been listening to the ET soundtrack for years and years and I know it by heart.

The scene with ET playing in the bathtub doesn't add much to the story, but it sets up a sense of contrast for when ET is dying and he's in the (empty) bathtub.

The newly-added facial animations for ET are subtle. I can live with them.

BTW, Spielberg confirmed on NBC that the DVD will indeed have both the original and the current re-issue.

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And, hey! Let's be careful out there.

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As to the later scene with the walkie-talkie switch, Elliot's closed eyes expression is less meaningful with mere walkie-talkies in the FEDs hands.

The line change from "you are not going out dressed like a terrorist" to "you are not going out dressed like a hippie." Is just plain stupid. What parrent would give a damn if a kid went out dressed with tie-dye and bell-bottoms with peace symbols all over. Heck kids USED to dress like that! If you think about it, it is MORE appropriate that a parent would scold their child for trying to dress up like a terrorist.

The added scene with mom going after the kids because they didn't return on time from trick-or-treating was just plain awkward. Gertie blurts out a line that seemingly had no provocation nor any logical response was given. Very odd.

As with most of the DVDs that have extras, I find that this version offers nothing over the original cut and that the cuts made were justified as to not add to the story and at best slowed it down.

Steve

Spielberg stated in the NBC interview that he acknowledges the wishes of the purists who believe that nobody - not even the creator of the work - has the right to change anything. For that reason the original version would be presented on the same DVD when it's released.

Guys: Forget about those empty theatres...The studio is just trying to get to $1Billion and they didn't have that far to go. Last tally for ET in theatres was over $900Million before this re-issue.

Spielberg wasn't born yesterday. He knows the DVD is where they're gonna make a mint!

Now...Which "original" version will make it to the DVD? The actual 1982 version? Or the more recent one without the "terrorist" line?

She could've just said: "You're not leaving this house dressed like that!" I don't think the hippie reference makes much sense.

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And, hey! Let's be careful out there.

~Manny.

Second week of re-release: 57 percent drop nationwide.