Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray] [Region B] [1978]

Forgive me as I slap on the sentimental hat, because watching this glorious film on Blu-ray with a full high definition experience... Well, lets just say it pains me that so few films are released like this anymore. I would even suggest this to be a bold production, given that so much patience is required before the audience can finally witness their reward. But thats largely the mood that Spielberg wants us to fall into - the waiting game that these wonderful characters are feeling. Richard Dreyfuss (playing Roy Neary) steals the show as a father who believes he is all but an lone figure when a mysterious group of flying 'crafts' dazzle him late one night on a car journey, causing his behaviour to become erratic and his motivation to find answers relentless. The problem is, he wants answers to questions that those around him don't believe to exist. After his family leave home when they become more and more concerned, nothing holds him back from making the ultimate journey to where he believes the answers will come... In typical Spielberg fashion, the film is saturated with clever motifs reaction shots - just a couple of the trademarks he would later go on to develop and perfect. But this is a film that is quite contrary to his later efforts, as it excels in confusing the audience as to whether the 'force' that is meddling with the characters has good or bad intentions. The films resolves this at the end, but its exciting to watch because it plays on the idea that alien activity could be either a positive or negative experience, depending on how you view their actions. Before I bought this particular product, I noted that a 'Close Encounters...' Blu-ray was actually already available from Amazon (this one) , but I held back from buying for a couple of reasons. Firstly, another 'Close Encounters...' Blu-ray was available for Pre-Order here (the one on this page), so I made my order and received it after a lengthy delay, which Amazon attributed to stock problems. In comparing this particular product to the former U.S version, the only difference is that this is an official U.K release, so it actually doesn't matter which one you buy as they will both play in your Blu-ray player and both are the same price. Over on Amazon US, you also have the option of buying an 'Ultimate Edition' that includes a Bonus Disc and smart packaging... Looks like the U.K has been duped yet again! As for the transfer, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the integrity of the picture. This is a very, very faithful restoration that doesn't look over-processed at all like you get with many Lowry restorations, and certainly hasn't been over laboured. Grain is intact throughout and is never drops out artificially. Matting shots/special effects look like they've come straight off the film. A bit of gate weave is present, but heck, that happens anyway in a theatre. The colours are surprisingly rich and very stable - a surprise to me because 70's films can often look drab or coarse. This is absolutely not the case here. George Lucas should take note; this was released the same year as 'Star Wars: A New Hope', and yet this product looks MILES better than the latter which was recently released on Blu-ray. Spielberg really does care about his films, and the added bonus of course is that this product contains all three versions of the film; the Original, the Special Edition and the Directors Cut. Super Duper! Despite the flawless transfer and option for editions, this product does not contain any special features which is very much disappointing. Although the back of the case states that one is present, this feature is largely irrelevant unless you're interested in the different versions of the film, since it allows small 'graphics' to appear on the bottom corner of the screen (during the film playback) which indicate when a particular scene was not part of the original film. Interesting, but I guess part of the reason this product is so cheap is because you're just getting the film itself. I can't give any less than 5-Stars because this is precisely how a Blu-ray should be released. Its selling at a very affordable price (thats actually cheaper than many new DVDs, which in my honest opinion have become worthless due to file sharing), its got a flawless transfer that looks completely natural and its a classic film. What more you could want? Buy it now!

I can watch this film every time it is on the telly. The story line is not massively complex but I just love the bit near the start where the menacing storm clouds start to descend around the the little boy Barry's house and all the home electrical appliances become scarily possessed. The effects still hold up pretty well in the modern CGI age and I love the big mother ship which is lit up like a chandelier. I think we need to discuss mashed potato as well! When Roy starts to suffer his psychic alien induced breakdown I just love the scene where he sculpts the Devils tower out of mashed potato. Every time I have mashed potato with a meal I always make a mini devils tower out of it with the fork. I haven't yet emptied the wheely bin out on the street and made a Devils tower out of that as that would be going a bit too far.

40 years on, still one of Spielberg's best. A sci-fi classic. I first saw it in the cinema as a child, a few months after the first Star Wars movie. To me (and my entire family) there was no comparison: Close Encounters kick-started my serious sci-fi habit because it's a seriously good movie/story. It also seems oddly optimistic today – would we really be directing melodies towards UFOs rather than missiles? (As for Star Wars – meh. Whatever. Mildly diverting battles in space, mostly two-dimensional if amusing characters and a few cod-Freudian father issues. Though Rogue One a cut above.) Watch this if you enjoy thought-provoking human-centred sci-fi from a director at the top of his game and a star, Richard Dreyfuss, who embodies Everyman in an inimitable, endearing way. Also interesting to see Spielberg playing with ideas that would become ET. Don't watch this if you're after battles in space – go for Guardians of the Galaxy or, of course, any of the Star Wars episodes. (But preferably Rogue One.)

Good old film

As expected

With 3 versions on-board including 'Theatrical Version' 'Extended Version' and 'Director's Cut' the story tells of mysterious happenings and sightings around the globe. The film centres upon Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss ) who after having a close encounter whilst driving his work-truck encouraging him to head of in the direction of where sightings had been reported....he's not disappointed, three UFO's are seen with police=cars hopelessly in pursuit, at this location Roy meets Jillian (Melinda Dillon ) and her young son Barry (Cary Guffey) at the hillside site. Some little time after the 3 year-old Barry is abducted. Both Jillian and Roy become obsessed with mountain-like images, Jillian paints it, Roy tries to crate the image imprinted in his mind, Roy becomes so erratic and obsessive his wife Ronnie (Teri Garr) leaves him taking their children with her. The authorities close off a large area in Wyoming mysteriously claiming a train-crash had caused contamination, the incident reported on TV will show an image of Devils Tower, which is instantly recognised by those that had similar images imprinted in their mind including Roy and Jillian, all head for the restricted are, Roy and Jullia team up, Roy is convinced that they will find no contamination, but, what is the significance of Devils Tower ? They will find a site has been prepared for a UFO landing... What has become of Barry..? ....all will be answered during the film's spectacular finale. In terms of the 4k upgrade which I felt given the films subject matter was a worthy investment I have to say it was a game of two halves, early-on the visual content felt average, however, the climax of the movie seemed a different ball-game (around the final 25-30 minutes, the upgrade work appeared to have been given more thought and effort. A film that does have it's downside but is blessed with a visually spectacular for it's climax

I can still remember getting excited watching this for the first time. It's still a great movie, classic Speilberg (loads of subtle domestic detail) and interesting to think how much of recent popular culture has its roots in this movie. Without this would we have had X Files, a new Dr Who or any number of non-combat, alien contact movies and TV series? Probably not. Presented in a nice, but unfussy box, the three discs come with a booklet and fold out timelines so you can see what is different about the three versions without having to sit and watch them all with a stopwatch. In fact, the new cut is the best - more build up, but less (in fact, none) of inside the mothership. Speilberg admits it was a mistake to put that in the Special Edition. On a good 5.1 system with the volume turned up the musical "chat" between the synth guy and the mothership is even more schoolboy-exciting than I remember it being 30 years ago.

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