Tony’s Timeless Thursdays™: "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" – A Timeless Tale of Friendship, Wonder, and Home

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
Aug 14
4 min read

In the summer of 1982, director Steven Spielberg delivered a heartfelt masterpiece that redefined what a family science fiction film could be. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial wasn’t about alien invasions or galactic wars — it was about love, empathy, and the connection between two beings from different worlds. It was about looking up at the stars and realizing that maybe, just maybe, someone out there might be looking back with kindness.

More than four decades later, E.T. remains one of cinema’s most treasured experiences. It is a rare blend of childlike innocence, grounded suburban life, and pure fantasy — anchored by one of the most endearing friendships ever put on film.

🌟 The Story That Stole the World’s Heart

When a gentle alien botanist becomes stranded on Earth, he hides in the backyard shed of a lonely 10-year-old boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas). Elliott realizes this small, big-eyed being is not a threat but a friend. Naming him “E.T.” for “Extra-Terrestrial,” Elliott hides him from his mother (Dee Wallace) and the outside world, enlisting the help of his brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton) and little sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore).

E.T. and Elliott soon form a psychic bond — feeling each other’s emotions and pain. But as E.T.’s health declines, the government closes in. With time running out, Elliott and his friends risk everything to help E.T. “phone home” and return to his family.

🎬 The Cast and Crew That Made the Magic

Director – Steven Spielberg, pouring his own childhood loneliness into the script.
Henry Thomas – Elliott, delivering one of the most authentic child performances in film history.
Drew Barrymore – Gertie, whose charm and wit brought warmth and laughs.
Robert MacNaughton – Michael, the protective big brother.
Dee Wallace – Mary, the loving but distracted single mom.
Peter Coyote – “Keys,” the sympathetic government agent.
John Williams – Composer of the soaring, unforgettable score.

🚲 Scenes That Became Legends

The Reese’s Pieces Trail – Elliott lures E.T. into his home, boosting Hershey’s sales and becoming an instant cinematic image.
Closet Introduction – Gertie’s shocked reaction to seeing E.T. remains one of the cutest moments in film history.
The Frog Liberation – Elliott’s psychic connection with E.T. spills hilariously into his school day.
The Flying Bicycle – Moonlit magic set to John Williams’ most triumphant theme.
The Farewell – E.T.’s glowing heart, his “I’ll be right here” promise, and Elliott’s tears — unforgettable.

🎯 Themes That Still Resonate

Friendship Without Borders – A love that transcends species and worlds.
Childhood Wonder – Capturing the belief that anything is possible.
Empathy and Understanding – The psychic bond as a metaphor for human compassion.
Family and Growth – How love heals loneliness and brings families closer.

🛠 The Infamous 20th Anniversary Re-Release

In 2002, Spielberg marked the film’s 20th anniversary with a “special edition” that included

CGI enhancements to E.T. in certain scenes.
Elliott’s line “terrorist” changed to “hippie.”
Guns digitally replaced with walkie-talkies during the final chase.

While the intention was to make the film “friendlier” for young audiences, many fans and critics felt these changes softened the film’s realism and altered its tone. The swap from guns to walkie-talkies, in particular, became a pop culture punchline — symbolizing the pitfalls of digitally altering beloved classics.

Spielberg later publicly admitted he regretted the changes, stating in a 2011 AFI Q&A:

“I realized after I changed the guns into walkie-talkies that I had robbed the audience of their memories of the film.”

For later home media releases, Spielberg made sure both versions were available, with the original 1982 cut preserved in its untouched form. This decision pleased purists who believe classics should be experienced as they originally were.

📺 E.T. Comes Home Again – The Xfinity Holiday Reunion

In 2019, nearly 37 years after the film’s release, audiences were treated to an emotional surprise: E.T. returned to visit Elliott — now an adult with a family of his own — in a short film/commercial for Xfinity’s holiday campaign.

Henry Thomas reprised his role as Elliott, now a father of two.
The ad showed E.T. arriving unexpectedly, sharing holiday traditions, and experiencing Earth’s modern technology with awe.
E.T. bonds with Elliott’s children, rides bikes again (this time in snow), and enjoys a warm family Christmas.

The reunion brought fans to tears, blending nostalgia with a message of staying connected — perfectly in line with the original film’s themes. While technically a commercial, it played like an unofficial epilogue, showing us that the bond between Elliott and E.T. truly lasted a lifetime.

🎢 The Universal Studios Ride

For decades, E.T. Adventure has been a fixture at Universal Studios Florida, allowing fans to “help E.T. get back to the Green Planet.” The ending — where E.T. personally says your name — remains one of the most magical theme park experiences for those lucky enough to ride it.

🏆 A Legacy Written in the Stars

Highest-grossing film of all time until Jurassic Park (1993).
Won 4 Oscars, including Best Original Score.
Cemented Spielberg as a master of emotional storytelling.
Influenced Stranger Things, Super 8, and countless homages.

📀 Why It Will Always Be Timeless

No CGI upgrade can replicate the handcrafted magic of Carlo Rambaldi’s E.T. puppet or the earnest performances of its young cast. E.T. speaks to the child in all of us — the one who believes in friendship, magic, and homecomings.

When E.T. touches Elliott’s forehead and says, “I’ll be right here,” Spielberg wasn’t just speaking for the alien — he was speaking for the story itself. Decades later, it’s still right here, in our hearts.