'E.T.' Key Scenes

Performance Cornfield scene

voice, breathing, movement, facial expression, scream, smile, no dialogue

Performance - Cornfield (voice)

Henry Thomas uses a high-pitched voice (“Elliot, you’re crazy”), emphasising his youth, vulnerability and innocence against the eerie setting

Performance - Cornfield (breathing)

His heavy breathing conveys fear and panic, helping to build tension as he approaches the unknown

Performance - Cornfield (movement)

Elliott creeps forward slowly and cautiously, watching carefully, which increases suspense and aligns us with his fear

Performance - Cornfield (facial expression)

His wide eyes gradually open further when he sees E.T., signalling shock and horror

Performance - Cornfield (scream)

His childish, high-pitched scream reinforces his innocence and makes his fear more believable

Performance - Cornfield (smile)

By the swingset, a slight smile suggests wonder and awe, subverting expectations that he will remain afraid

Performance - Cornfield (lack of dialogue)

Minimal speech means meaning is conveyed through facial expressions and physical performance, making them more significant

Performance Closing scene

naturalistic acting, crying, physical contact, mother reaction, emotion

Performance - Closing (naturalistic acting)

Because the film was shot chronologically, the child actors formed real emotional bonds with E.T., resulting in spontaneous and authentic performances

Performance - Closing (crying)

Henry Thomas makes himself cry, with audible sobbing and gasping, creating a deeply emotional and convincing performance

Performance - Closing (physical contact)

The embrace between Elliott and E.T. (mime performance) makes E.T. feel sentient and emotionally real

Performance - Closing (mother reaction)

Mary kneels and softens her expression into empathy, reinforcing themes of family and acceptance

Performance - Closing (final expression)

Close-up of Elliott’s face shows resignation mixed with hope, conveying emotional complexity

Mise-en-scene Opening scene

spaceship design, ET appearance, unity, car contrast, keys, binary opposition

Mise-en-scene - Opening (spaceship)

The round, organic design of the spaceship blends with the forest, suggesting harmony with nature

Mise-en-scene - Opening (ET appearance)

The E.T.s are brown and rounded, visually linking them to nature and reinforcing them as natural beings

Mise-en-scene - Opening (unity)

The red lights on the E.T.s glow simultaneously, showing them as a unified collective

Mise-en-scene - Opening (car contrast)

The human car is square and mechanical, making it appear intrusive and unnatural in the forest

Mise-en-scene - Opening (keys)

The jangling keys suggest humans are harsh, aggressive and disruptive

Mise-en-scene - Opening (binary opposition)

The scene establishes Levi-Strauss’ binary opposition between natural E.T.s and destructive humans

Mise-en-scene Field hospital scene

spacesuits, suburban invasion, vehicles, colour palette, technology, contrast

Mise-en-scene - Field hospital (spacesuits)

Faceless spacesuits invade the domestic home, making the familiar setting feel alien and threatening

Mise-en-scene - Field hospital (suburban invasion)

The cosy suburban home is transformed into a clinical laboratory, creating discomfort

Mise-en-scene - Field hospital (vehicles)

Sharp-edged trucks contrast with soft suburban houses, representing government power and intrusion

Mise-en-scene - Field hospital (colour)

Cold colours (blue and white) reinforce the sterile, scientific atmosphere

Mise-en-scene - Field hospital (technology)

Monitors and screens emphasise the clinical, dehumanised environment

Mise-en-scene - Field hospital (contrast with ET)

Artificial government elements contrast with E.T.’s natural form, reinforcing thematic opposition

Sound Opening scene

eerie music, nature sounds, tonal shift, human sounds, sympathy

Sound - Opening (eerie soundtrack)

Non-diegetic haunting sound creates an otherworldly and initially threatening atmosphere

Sound - Opening (spaceship music)

Grand, dramatic music makes the spaceship seem intimidating at first

Sound - Opening (nature sounds)

Diegetic forest sounds and E.T.’s soft purring make him seem harmless and natural

Sound - Opening (tonal shift)

Music becomes hopeful when E.T. sees the city, then dark again when humans arrive

Sound - Opening (human sounds)

Harsh sounds like keys and engines present humans as aggressive and dangerous

Sound - Opening (sympathy)

E.T.’s childlike scream and distant sirens make the audience sympathise with him and fear the human world

Sound Field hospital scene

breathing, dialogue, music, rhythm, contrast, confusion

Sound - Field hospital (breathing)

Loud, diegetic breathing of astronauts creates tension and fear

Sound - Field hospital (dialogue)

Mary shouting “This is my home!” expresses defiance against authority

Sound - Field hospital (music)

Brass crescendo reinforces emotional intensity and resistance

Sound - Field hospital (rhythm)

Martial drumbeat makes scientists seem militaristic and threatening

Sound - Field hospital (contrast)

E.T.’s weak breathing contrasts with harsh mechanical and human sounds

Sound - Field hospital (confusion)

High-pitched background noise and overlapping dialogue create disorientation

Editing Opening scene

slow pace, dissolves, continuity, Kuleshov, camera movement

Editing - Opening (slow pace)

The slow editing pace creates a calm, observational tone at the start

Editing - Opening (dissolves)

Multiple dissolves suggest passage of time and create a dreamlike quality

Editing - Opening (continuity editing)

Eyeline match between rabbit and E.T. aligns them and maintains clarity

Editing - Opening (Kuleshov effect)

The rabbit’s calm reaction suggests E.T. is safe and part of nature

Editing - Opening (camera movement)

Whip pans replace fast cutting when humans arrive, increasing intensity

Editing Cornfield scene

slow pace, continuity, eyeline, jump cuts, 30 degree rule

Editing - Cornfield (slow pace)

Initially slow editing builds tension as Elliott moves deeper into the field

Editing - Cornfield (continuity editing)

Maintains spatial clarity and aligns audience with Elliott’s journey

Editing - Cornfield (eyeline match)

Reinforces what Elliott is looking at, aligning us with his perspective

Editing - Cornfield (jump cuts)

Rapid cuts (breaking 30° rule) reflect Elliott’s shock and disorientation

Editing - Cornfield (rule breaking)

Breaking continuity rules creates a sense of panic and confusion

Cinematography Cornfield scene

lighting, torch, tracking, POV, jump cuts

Cinematography - Cornfield (lighting)

Low-key lighting creates a dark, mysterious, horror-like atmosphere

Cinematography - Cornfield (torch)

The torch restricts visibility, controlling what the audience sees and building tension

Cinematography - Cornfield (tracking shot)

Camera tracks Elliott in a mid-shot, aligning us with his movement and perspective

Cinematography - Cornfield (POV shots)

Alternating POV shots between Elliott and E.T. build tension and mutual fear

Cinematography - Cornfield (jump cut visuals)

Sudden visual cuts of Elliott’s reaction emphasise shock and disorientation

Cinematography Closing scene

lighting, framing, close-ups, tracking, POV, final shot

Cinematography - Closing (lighting)

Low-key nighttime lighting creates a somber mood, with the spaceship acting as a light source

Cinematography - Closing (framing)

Elliott and E.T. in foreground with others behind emphasises their central relationship

Cinematography - Closing (close-ups)

Close-ups of faces highlight emotion and create audience empathy

Cinematography - Closing (tracking)

Camera tracks from E.T.’s heart to his face, then to Elliott, showing their connection

Cinematography - Closing (POV shots)

POV shots of Elliott and E.T. align the audience with both characters emotionally

Cinematography - Closing (final shot)

Zoom into Elliott’s face at the end emphasises his emotional resolution and lasting impact