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The Extra-Terrestrial</b></div> <table id="LeftColumnTable3" style="width: 273px;"> <tr><td style="width: 273px; height: 4px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_line.gif) no-repeat left;"> </td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 273px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_fade_pattern.png) repeat-y left top;"> <table class="LeftColumnCover" style="width: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px;"> <tr><td style="padding-left: 12px; color: #6f91dd; font-size: 0.7em; text-shadow: 2px 2px #000, 1px 1px 4px #000, 1px 1px 10px #000;"><b> (1982)</b> </td><td rowspan="2" style="width: 115px; text-align: left; padding-top: 10px;"> <div style="width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_cover.png) no-repeat;"> <img alt="Album Cover Art" src="/images/covers/et_1986.jpg" width="90" height="90" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px;"> </div> </td></tr> <tr><td class="covertitle"> 1986 MCA</td></tr></table> <table class="LeftColumnCover" style="width: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px;"> <tr><td class="covertitle"> 1990 MCA </td><td style="width: 115px; text-align: left;"> <div style="width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_cover.png) no-repeat;"> <img alt="Album 2 Cover Art" src="/images/covers/et1.jpg" width="90" height="90" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px;"> </div></td></tr></table> <table class="LeftColumnCover" style="width: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px;"> <tr><td class="covertitle"> 1996 MCA Expanded </td><td style="width: 115px; text-align: left;"> <div style="width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_cover.png) no-repeat;"> <img alt="Album 3 Cover Art" src="/images/covers/et.jpg" width="90" height="90" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px;"> </div></td></tr></table> <table class="LeftColumnCover" style="width: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px;"> <tr><td class="covertitle"> 2002 MCA 20th Anniversary </td><td style="width: 115px; text-align: left;"> <div style="width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_cover.png) no-repeat;"> <img alt="Album 4 Cover Art" src="/images/covers/et_2002.jpg" width="90" height="90" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px;"> </div></td></tr></table> <table class="LeftColumnCover" style="width: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px;"> <tr><td class="covertitle"> 2017 La-La Land </td><td style="width: 115px; text-align: left;"> <div style="width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_cover.png) no-repeat;"> <img alt="Album 5 Cover Art" src="/images/covers/et17.jpg" width="90" height="90" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px;"> </div></td></tr></table> <table class="LeftColumnCover" style="width: 240px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 0px;"> <tr><td class="covertitle"> 2022 La-La Land </td><td style="width: 115px; text-align: left;"> <div style="width: 100px; height: 100px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_cover.png) no-repeat;"> <img alt="Album 6 Cover Art" src="/images/covers/et22.jpg" width="90" height="90" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px;"> </div> </td></tr></table>  </td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 273px; height: 4px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_line.gif) no-repeat left;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 20px 35px 24px 16px;"> <div class="columncreditdivider"> Composed, Conducted, and Co-Produced by:</div> <div class="columncreditnames"><a href="/composers/williams.shtml"><b>John Williams</b></a></div><hr class="columnsectiondivider"> <div class="columncreditdivider"> Orchestrated by: </div> <div class="columncreditnames"> Herbert Spencer </div><hr class="columnsectiondivider"> <div class="columncreditdivider"> Co-Produced by: </div> <div class="columncreditnames"> Shawn Murphy<br>Bruce Botnick </div> </td></tr> <tr><td class="columnheaderline"></td></tr> <tr><td class="columnheaderback"> <img alt="Labels Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_label.png" width="43" height="26" class="columnheaderimage"> <div class="columnheadertitle"><b><i> LABELS & RELEASE DATES</i></b></div> <tr><td class="columnheaderline"></td></tr> <tr><td style="padding: 20px 35px 30px 16px;"> <div class="columncreditnames"> <a href=http://www.mcarecords.com/>MCA Records</a> <br>(Original)<br> <span style="color: #aac2f4">(1986)</span> <br><br><a href=http://www.mcarecords.com/>MCA Records</a> <br>(Re-Issue)<br><span style="color: #aac2f4">(October 25, 1990)</span><br><br><a href=http://www.mcarecords.com/>MCA Records</a> <br>(Expanded)<br><span style="color: #aac2f4">(September 24th, 1996)</span><br><br><a href=http://www.mcarecords.com/>MCA Records/Universal</a> <br>(20th Anniversary)<br><span style="color: #aac2f4">(March 19th, 2002)</span><br><br>La-La Land Records<br><span style="color: #aac2f4">(September 26th, 2017)</span><br><br>La-La Land Records<br><span style="color: #aac2f4">(August 9th, 2022)</span> </div> <a class="anchor" name="availability"></a> </td></tr> <tr><td class="columnheaderline"></td></tr> <tr><td class="columnheaderback"> <img alt="Availability Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_avail.png" width="43" height="26" class="columnheaderimage"> <div class="columnheadertitle"><b><i>ALBUM AVAILABILITY</i></b></div> <tr><td class="columnheaderline"></td></tr> <tr><td class="columntextsection" style="padding: 20px 42px 48px 20px;"> <div style="font-size: 0.8em;"> The original concert format re-recording was reprinted by MCA many times between 1986 and 1990, each time with slightly different cover art. They are out of print, but still available in some stores. The 1996 reissue is a regular U.S. release and has been more readily available in the 2000's.<br> <br> The 2002 20th Anniversary reissue is a regular commerical release as well, with a SACD alternative also pressed. The 2017 La-La Land set is limited to 5,000 copies and available initially for $30 through soundtrack specialty outlets. The label re-issued the same contents for another pressing of 5,000 copies in 2022, also inititally priced at $30.<br></div> <a class="anchor" name="awards"></a> </td></tr> <tr><td class="columnheaderline"></td></tr> <tr><td class="columnheaderback"> <img alt="Awards" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_awards.png" width="43" height="26" class="columnheaderimage"> <div class="columnheadertitle"><b><i>AWARDS</i></b></div> <tr><td class="columnheaderline"></td></tr> <tr><td class="columntextsection" style="padding: 20px 42px 48px 20px;"> <div style="font-size: 0.8em;"> Winner of an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Grammy Award, and a Golden Globe.</div> </td></tr> <tr><td class="columnheaderline"></td></tr> <tr><td class="columnheaderback"> <img alt="Also See Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_alsosee.png" width="43" height="26" class="columnheaderimage"> <div class="columnheadertitle"><b><i>ALSO SEE</i></b></div> <tr><td class="columnheaderline"></td></tr> <tr><td class="columntextsection" style="padding: 20px 35px 48px 16px;"> <div style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 6px; font-size: 0.85em;"> <table><tr><td style="width: 10px;"></td><td><a href=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/close_encounters.html><b>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</b></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 10px;"></td><td><a href=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/raiders.html><b>Raiders of the Lost Ark</b></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 10px;"></td><td><a href=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/empire.html><b>The Empire Strikes Back</b></a></td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 10px;"></td><td><a href=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/ai.html><b>A.I. Artificial Intelligence</b></a></td></tr> </table></div> </td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 273px; height: 4px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/left_column_line.gif) no-repeat left;"> </td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 273px; padding-left: 20px;"> <br><br> <div style="margin-left: 12px;"> <script type="text/javascript"> amzn_assoc_ad_type = "banner"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_placement = "assoc_banner_placement_default"; amzn_assoc_campaigns = "musicandentertainmentrot"; amzn_assoc_banner_type = "rotating"; amzn_assoc_p = "14"; amzn_assoc_width = "160"; amzn_assoc_height = "600"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "filmtracks"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "3cef6351d96a4312c7bffd106000db71"; </script> <script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&Operation=GetScript&ID=OneJS&WS=1"></script> </div>  <br> <br> <div style="margin-left: 12px; height: 600px; width: 160px; background-color: #02011f;"> <script type="text/javascript"> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6483253369734723"; google_ad_slot = "7889002780"; google_ad_width = 160; google_ad_height = 600; </script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> <br> </td></tr></table>   </td></tr></table>  <img alt="Decorative Nonsense" src="/images/2015/interior/left_column_bottom_pattern_trans.png" style="display: block;">  </td></tr></table>  <div style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 34px;">  </div> </td><td style="width: 748px; maxwidth: 748px;"> <div style="float: right; width: 182px;">  <div style="text-align: right; font-size: 0.7em; line-height: 130%; vertical-align: middle; padding-right: 30px;"> <a href="/titles/et.html?page=print" onclick="window.open(this.href, 'newwindow', 'width=700,height=700,scrollbars=yes,toolbar=yes,menubar=yes,resizable=yes'); return false;"> <b><i>PRINTER FRIENDLY VIEW</i></b></a><br> <span style="font-size: 0.95em; color: #6f91dd;"><b>(inverts site colors)</b></span> </div> <div style="float: right; width: 140px; margin: 20px 0px 20px 0px; padding: 6px; height: 130px;"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:120px;height:100px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6483253369734723" data-ad-slot="2484993070"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center; width: 546px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 30px;"> <br><br><img id="mainlogo" alt="E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Logo" src="https://www.teletracks.com/images/logos/et5.gif" width="273" height="123" style="display: none;"><br></div> <table id="toplinksectionline" style="width: 748px; margin-top: 56px;"> <tr><td style="height: 27px; padding: 0px 0px 5px 30px; font-size: 0.85em; vertical-align: bottom; text-transform: uppercase; color: #3d4c8a;"> <b><i> <a href=#availability>Availability</a> | <a href=#awards>Awards</a> | <a href=#ratings>Viewer Ratings</a> | <a href=/titles/et.html?page=comments>Comments</a> | <a href=#tracks>Audio & Track Listings</a> | <a href=#notes>Notes</a> </i></b> </td></tr><tr><td style="height: 9px; background: url(/images/2015/interior/line_small.png) no-repeat top right;"> </td></tr></table> <div style="margin: 32px 40px 28px 38px; font-size: 0.95em;"> <i><span style="color: #32ba8a"><b>Buy it...</b></span> on especially the 2017 or 2022 2-CD sets if you seek one of the most popular scores in the history of Hollywood, not to mention a triumph that stands among the best of John Williams' masterful works.</i><br> <br> <i><span style="color: #ca5259"><b>Avoid it...</b></span> if not even the most magical symphonic composition from the height of Williams' career is of any interest to your unusually sour tastes.</i><br> </div> <div style="width: 720px; height: 50px; margin: 14px 0px 36px 4px;"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:720px;height:50px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6483253369734723" data-ad-slot="5526089383"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> <table class="sectionheader"> <tr><td style="width: 46px;"> <img alt="Review Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_review.png" width="43" height="26" class="sectionheaderimage"> </td><td class="sectionheadertop"> <div style="padding: 4px 0px 0px 7px;"><b><i>EDITORIAL REVIEW</i></b></div> </td><td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 34px; font-size: 0.8em; color: #91b5ff; vertical-align: bottom; padding-bottom: 2px;"> <b><i> FILMTRACKS TRAFFIC RANK: #36 </i></b></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" class="sectionheaderbottom"> </td></tr><tr> <td colspan="3" style="text-align: right; padding-right: 42px; font-size: 0.65em; color: #6f91dd; vertical-align: top;"><b><i> <b><i>WRITTEN 9/24/96, REVISED 11/8/22 </i></b></td></tr></table>  <div style="float: right; width: 150px; background-color: #02011f; border: 1px solid #14125c; margin: 24px 0px 32px 20px; border-radius: 5px; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 5px; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 6px 2px #23459b; -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 6px 2px #23459b; box-shadow: 0px 0px 6px 2px #23459b; padding: 6px;"> <img alt="Shopping Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_cart.png" width="43" height="26" class="columnheaderimage"> <div style="font-size: 0.85em; padding-top: 4px;"><b><i>BUY IT</i></b></div> <hr class="buysectiondivider"> <div style="padding: 4px 0px 0px 6px;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=E.T.%20The%20Extra-Terrestrial%20Soundtrack&tag=filmtracks-review&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325"> <img alt="Amazon.com" src="/images/2015/interior/review_amazon.png" width="122" height="24" style="border: none;"></a></div><table style="font-size: 0.75em; color: #91b5ff; margin-top: 10px;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 4px;"></td> <td><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC4KB266?tag=filmtracks-review&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1">2022 Album</a></b></td></tr></table> <iframe id="amazonteaseframe" src="https://www.filmtracks.com/templates/desktop-reviews-amazontease20.php?teasecode=B0BC4KB266" style="width: 146px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding-left: 6px; background-color: #02011f; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" onLoad="autoResize('amazonteaseframe');"></iframe><div style="font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 10px;"> <table style="color: #91b5ff;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 4px;"></td> <td><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075MYT4DJ?tag=filmtracks-review&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1">2017 Album</a></b></td></tr></table> <table style="color: #91b5ff;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 4px;"></td> <td><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000639AI?tag=filmtracks-review&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1">2002 Album</a></b></td></tr></table> <table style="color: #91b5ff;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 4px;"></td> <td><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000002P2X?tag=filmtracks-review&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1">1996 Album</a></b></td></tr></table> </div><br><hr class="buysectiondivider"> <div style="padding: 4px 0px 0px 6px;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_CAds=&_ex_kw=&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_mPrRngCbx=1&_nkw=E.T.%20The%20Extra-Terrestrial%20Soundtrack&_sacat=&_sadis=&_sop=12&_udhi=&_udlo=&_fosrp=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337696495&customid=2021reviewsupc&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"> <img alt="eBay" src="/images/2015/interior/review_ebay.png" width="62" height="25" style="border: none;"></a></div><div style="font-size: 0.75em; margin: 10px 0px 18px 0px;"> <table style="color: #91b5ff;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 4px;"></td> <td><b><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_CAds=&_ex_kw=&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_mPrRngCbx=1&_nkw=826924159422&_sacat=&_sadis=&_sop=12&_udhi=&_udlo=&_fosrp=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337696495&customid=2021reviewsupc&toolid=10001&mkevt=1">2022 Album</a></b></td></tr></table> <table style="color: #91b5ff;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 4px;"></td> <td><b><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_CAds=&_ex_kw=&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_mPrRngCbx=1&_nkw=826924142028&_sacat=&_sadis=&_sop=12&_udhi=&_udlo=&_fosrp=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337696495&customid=2021reviewsupc&toolid=10001&mkevt=1">2017 Album</a></b></td></tr></table> <table style="color: #91b5ff;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 4px;"></td> <td><b><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_CAds=&_ex_kw=&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_mPrRngCbx=1&_nkw=008811281922&_sacat=&_sadis=&_sop=12&_udhi=&_udlo=&_fosrp=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337696495&customid=2021reviewsupc&toolid=10001&mkevt=1">2002 Album</a></b></td></tr></table> <table style="color: #91b5ff;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 4px;"></td> <td><b><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_CAds=&_ex_kw=&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_mPrRngCbx=1&_nkw=008811149420&_sacat=&_sadis=&_sop=12&_udhi=&_udlo=&_fosrp=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337696495&customid=2021reviewsupc&toolid=10001&mkevt=1">1996 Album</a></b></td></tr></table> </div> </div> <div style="margin: 20px 40px 26px 14px; font-size: 0.95em;"> <table style="text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em; color: #aac2f4; float: left; margin: 6px 26px 10px 0px;"><tr><td> <img alt="Williams" src="/images/photos/mugs/2021/mug_williams.gif" width="86" height="108" style="border: 1px solid #606eab; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 6px 2px #23459b; -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 6px 2px #23459b; box-shadow: 0px 0px 6px 2px #23459b;"></td></tr><tr><td>Williams</td></tr></table> <b>E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial</b>: (John Williams) Minimal introduction needs to be made for this, Steven Spielberg's most beloved family film. While a handful of adults may get caught up in the religious allegories involved in Melissa Mathison's screenplay for <b>E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial</b>, the story is nevertheless the kind of hopeful view of alien civilization that has entranced children for years. Stereotypes about suburban lifestyles of the 1980's, as well as deeply rooted fears about the intentions of the government, play well with adults, too, making <b>E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial</b> one of the greatest blockbuster successes ever to overwhelm the box office. In a heavy dose of Spielberg's obsession with the concept of abandonment, the story shows an alien group collecting specimens on Earth but accidentally leaving one of their own behind, forcing the creature to engage with a local family to "call home." The bond between a lovable extra-terrestrial and a young human boy leads to the two to common curiosity, friendship, illness, escape, and salvation, culminating in a depiction of alien encounters even more positive and rewarding than Spielberg's own <b>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</b> five years earlier. It was an era during which the famed director could do no wrong, and he revisited the production to clean up the special effects and add a few scenes for a 20th anniversary theatrical release in 2002. Also at the height of his phenomenal career in 1982 was John Williams, whose journeys in the franchises of <b>Star Wars</b> and <b>Indiana Jones</b> were causing such a monumental response from audiences at the time that the composer's output of the era is still often considered the ultimate guideline for the redemptive success of the Bronze Age of film music. Despite all of Williams' triumphs in the plethora of great franchise scores that resulted from this period of his career, <b>E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial</b> remains perhaps the most magical in a singular sense. The score finally earned the composer his fourth Academy Award after several of his best, nominated scores during the previous four years were upset by inferior competition. The famous themes of <b>E.T.</b> became the new staple of Williams' concert tours, serving as a comfortable, "feel good" sound from the era. Indeed, <b>E.T.</b> is one of those films and scores that will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who experienced it firsthand in 1982, for it evoked the perfect emotional response for what audiences craved as "Hollywood movie magic."<br> <br> For movie critics, film music critics and collectors alike, the <b>E.T.</b> score is almost uniformly admired, usually without reservation but at least earning significant respect from the cynics in the crowd. One lingering exception has always remained the revered film critic James Berardinelli, who not only downplayed the effectiveness of the film but also stated the following in 2002: "One thing that has not stood the test of time is John Williams' mediocre score. With the exception of the soaring 'E.T.' theme, the movie's music is unmemorable and unspectacular - easily the weakest of Williams' major motion picture efforts." Let the remainder of this review serve as appropriate ridicule towards Berardinelli for his complete missing of the mark with immensely poor judgment in this case. Regardless of Berardinelli's comically inept remarks (perhaps some bad intestinal upset that day?), the music for <b>E.T.</b> is classic if only because it is so memorable; no suite representing the entire history of film music would be complete without a few bars from this score. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the popular response to this music, positive or negative, is how focused such opinions are on the famous primary theme for the picture. In actuality, the <b>E.T.</b> score is substantially more complicated than that, with no less than eight major, recurring themes in the score (and several minor motifs) and a very keen sense of instrumental choices and fine-tuned orchestration. Obviously, there are traits of Williams' writing that helped define that entire period in his career, and, to an extent, the abundance of these stylistic devices is a major appeal. More importantly, though, <b>E.T.</b> is a score in which Williams absolutely nailed the emotional atmosphere of each situation in the film, an ability proven without question when he was allowed to score the final chase sequence in terms of musical flow, with Spielberg altering the final edit of the film to match the cue. That, ladies and gentlemen, is respect. One of the more remarkable aspects of Williams' writing process for <b>E.T.</b> is the fact that he wrote most of the swells of the title theme before the film's special effects were finished, including the iconic "bicycle over moon" sequence. Likewise, Williams' choice of orchestral colors is incredible in this work, his application of woodwinds, pipe organ, and solo piano, harp, and trumpet all proving extremely adept. The score remains a pleasure to behold because its vibrant and thoughtful mix of these elements surpasses expectations for a score of this age and cements its enduring status as a symphonic masterpiece.<br> <br> Of Williams' eight major themes for <b>E.T.</b>, all but one are a powerful influence in the film. For the purposes of this review, the cue titles provided will reference the 2002 20th anniversary album release, for it long offered the most complete collection of cue titles. In terms of top of mind awareness, the "flying theme" is easily the heart and soul of <b>E.T.</b>. The score's most famous theme, this string-dominated piece is hinted at in "E.T.'s Powers" and other cues before its full, major debut in "The Magic of Halloween." This theme dominates the last few minutes of the film and "End Credits," technically serving to represent the powers that the alien creature uses to both heal and fly but also conveying the broader sense of magic that prevails in the story. Almost equally important in <b>E.T.</b> is the general "wonder theme," consisting of two six-note figures on flute and serving as the bookends of the score. It's the first and last melody you hear in the film, wistfully performed on flute at the outsets of "Far from Home" and "At Home" and explosively concluding "Saying Goodbye" with triumphant brass. This theme provides the sense of fantasy in the full spectrum of imagination, and some listeners associate it more specifically to the connection the alien creature maintains with his own species, a musical signal beacon of sorts. The "friendship theme" is likely the weakest in the score, if only because its renderings are so slight. Most extensively performed by harp and strings in "The Beginning of a Friendship," "Toys," and "At Home," this idea receives one last flourish in "E.T. is Alive!" before fragments assist in the score's climax in "Saying Goodbye." Although this theme is adequate in quality, its tender tones are not among Williams' most compelling, and they especially become lost when compared to the extroverted nature of the other themes. The structural phrasing, orchestration, and performance emphasis of this idea make it a relatively close cousin to Williams' later softer familial identity for <B>A.I. Artificial Intelligence</b>. The "alien theme" is the score's most religious experience, mirroring the chime-tolling and organ-backed tone of Williams' material for the Ark of the Covenant in <b>Raiders of the Lost Ark</b>. This theme makes itself heard very prominently as the aliens abandon E.T. in "Far from Home" and, more interestingly, during the discovery late in "Searching for E.T." The latter usage suggests a mentality of desperation for the creature as it relives an earlier trauma. The motif doesn't make a significant impact, as you might expect, during the climax of the film during which the aliens return; perhaps the overwhelming use of the humans' fantasy themes is more appropriate at that juncture.<br> <br> There are two major themes of darkness in <b>E.T.</b>, and because they often intermingle, many listeners generally apply them both to the evil government forces. There is indeed a very sinister theme for the government and its pursuit of the aliens. It's another case in which Williams uses the bass woodwinds to very effectively represent evil (he would take the idea to near-comical levels in <b>Home Alone</b>), not to mention that he once again constructs a "badguy" theme with the repeated use of a forceful note on key at its outset. The technique is a habit that Williams utilizes to drive home the point that there is relentless power behind a character or entity, and listeners can hear the same general idea in everything from "The Imperial March" in <b>The Empire Strikes Back</b> to the theme for the president in <b>Nixon</b>. In <b>E.T.</b>, the government's theme is employed ominously in "E.T. Alone," "Bait for E.T.," "I'm Keeping Him," "At Home," and "Invading Elliot's House," developing into a frenzy in "E.T. Alone" that foreshadows the stark sense of child abandonment and horror in <b>A.I. Artificial Intelligence</b>. The other theme of darkness is a bit more nebulous in Williams' intentions, but it is typically applied as a "mystery theme." This is the deep organ theme heard in "Far from Home" that accompanies the government's stalking of (and forced entry to) the suburban home where E.T. is hiding in "At Home" and "Invading Elliot's House." The prominent mix of this theme in especially the first two mentioned cues causes it to have a significant emotional impact on the film, with the final usage finally resorting to stark drum hits to accentuate the score's only truly scary scene. The incorporation of the two unsettling themes into the score is quite thorough, giving both of them the weight and responsibility of perpetuating the film's creepier side. Williams very astutely alludes to these two themes in lighter cues, reminding the audience of the peril involved. The "At Home" cue is especially intelligent in its use of the instrumentation of the "friendship theme" (the harp, specifically) to perform to the "government theme" in such a way that it gives you the uneasy sense that any of your family moments in the home could be monitored by "big brother." Williams did similar things with "The Imperial March" in the training scenes of <b>The Empire Strikes Back</b>. Interestingly, the composer chose to employ mostly atonal sound effects in the eerie "Main Titles" cue rather than open the film with any of his darker, resolute themes, yielding perhaps the least interesting cue of the entire work up front.<br> <br> <div id="ReviewDivLink" style="margin-left: 60px; cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; color: #77adfd;"><b> <u><a href="#" name="reviewmore">Read More...</a></u> </b></div> <div id="ReviewDivDrop" style="display: none;"> Ironically, none of the aforementioned themes is <b>E.T.</b>'s most infectious. That label belongs to the propulsive "chase/mischief theme," also made famous by its inclusion in Williams' concert suites of music from the film. Most listeners will recognize this enticing melody in the form of its gorgeous piano performance at the outset of "End Credits" and the concert arrangement titled "Over the Moon." The rolling rendition of this theme at the end of the film is beautifully overtaken by the full ensemble, and it's no surprise that Williams expanded upon the idea for his concert tours. What's more important to remember, however, is the role that this theme plays in the picture itself. Its mischievous incarnation is heard in "Bait for E.T.," a cue that very obviously pays tribute to the style of Bernard Herrmann (those muted trumpets and staggered rhythms are unmistakable) for twenty seconds before transitioning into the "chase/mischief theme." The theme goes absent from the score until "Escape," which affords the idea several explosive and uniquely motivational performances that assist the children in their efforts to elude government forces. This theme receives a momentous sendoff at the climax of "Saying Goodbye." The final major theme in <b>E.T.</b> is the "victory fanfare," another usual inclusion in the concert suite arrangements of material from the score. This theme is heard at the height of the film's "Chase" sequence (about 4:30 into the suite-like cue) and again at 0:45 into "End Credits." The theme is typically introduced by the flurry of high range elements (led by hyperactive flutes) forming a flighty rhythmic bed, one that could prove to be annoying to some listeners in its extreme, upper-range enthusiasm. A few minor motifs are employed in the score as well, including a "chase motif" heard throughout "Escape" and most clearly at 1:30 into that cue. This motif had formed the structural basis of the aforementioned Herrmann-like passage early in "Bait for E.T." Once again, the use of the repeated note on key at the outset of theme connects it to Williams' usual treatment for the forces of suspicion. Also heard in this score, of course, is Yoda's theme from <b>The Empire Strikes Back</b>, which is not only a cute reference included by Williams due to the Halloween costume seen in the film, but also as a pun on the physical similarities between Yoda and E.T. (a point made by Spielberg himself in E.T.'s scripted reaction). Other motifs are explored in the more comical first half of the score, including some source-like interpolations, but these passages are of less consequence.<br> <br> Overall, the multitudes of themes comprising <b>E.T.</b> merge to form a spectacular accompaniment for the film and an undeniably rewarding listening experience on album. Williams' fantastic integration of his themes for the story is evident in nearly every cue. By the 15-minute suite that makes up the picture's climax, the themes are so seamlessly expressed in succession that you begin to forget their individual purposes. It is perhaps because of this methodology that some listeners mistake this score as one that is largely monothematic. The work's only weakness comes in the somewhat unconvincing and shallow emotional depth of the "friendship theme" and the silly tones of the tandem of "E.T. and Elliot Get Drunk" and "Frogs." Otherwise, the <b>E.T.</b> score is a lasting powerhouse in the history of cinema, and it is among even the best of Williams' illustrious career. Because of its immense popularity, the score for <b>E.T.</b> has been readily available commercially, released on album many times throughout the two decades following its debut. From 1986 to 1996, the only recording of the <b>E.T.</b> score offered to the public, on LP or CD, was a 40-minute collection of recordings that weren't those that originally appeared in the film. Williams arranged and recorded those eight tracks himself at the time of the film's recording, but he meant for the second set of recordings to be only a concert variation of a large portion of the score. Such practice was common in Hollywood's previous ages of film music, though it was somewhat rare to see it occur in the 1980's. These recordings are noticeably different from those made for the film, and although they satisfied some collectors, others balked. It was often claimed that the sound quality of the re-recordings is superior to that of the film versions, though direct comparisons would beg to differ. The original concert arrangement albums, which received several re-pressings by MCA between 1986 and 1990, unsurprisingly contained material in the wrong order and with different orchestrations. The typical favorite on those albums was the "Adventures on Earth" suite, which consisted of the "Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye" cues that have largely been overexposed in their constant performances in concerts through the years. The gorgeous "Over the Moon" arrangement, emphasizing the piano far more than the film version of the end credits' opening, is arguably the best single recording to come from the entire endeavor. After a very attractive expanded edition of Williams' <b>Raiders of the Lost Ark</b> was released the previous year, MCA followed with a release of nearly the entire <b>E.T.</b> score in its original film performance.<br> <br> The 71-minute MCA album of 1996 offered 31 more minutes of music and arranged the contents into film order. Williams never recorded the darkest passages for the original album, completely ignoring some of the brilliant performances of the two organ and bass woodwind themes as well as a few of the great string performances of other themes. The drawbacks of this 1996 version are that it is not a complete selection of the film's music and, most unfortunately, it doesn't contain the "End Credits" version heard in the film. Thus, to enjoy the lovely piano performance of the "chase theme," you required the earlier MCA products. For the 20th Anniversary release of the film in 2002, Universal released the score once again, this time offering a nearly complete 76 minutes. The added three cues are definitely not necessary, including "Main Titles," and the 2002 album is not remastered any better than the 1996 one. The packaging of the two products contains precisely the same information. The one true benefit of the 2002 product is the overdue appearance of the original end titles performance that is similar but not identical to "Over the Moon." An SACD version of the 2002 album was also released concurrently. In 2017, La-La Land Records presented the ultimate treatment of <b>E.T.</b>, a 2-CD set containing an even more complete version of the film edits, the album's re-recordings, and the related four minutes of music Williams recorded in 1990 for Universal Studios' amusement park ride, "The E.T. Adventure," themed after the picture. Transferred again from the best sources possible, the score sounds remarkable for its age on this product, and the label adds two newly discovered cues to the film recording presentation on the first CD; the brief "The Closet" is inconsequential, but "Stay With Me," a cue recorded at the album's sessions but worked back into the film, contains a pretty rendition of the main theme before offering variations on the friendship theme and the wonder motif. A variety of alternate, unused takes comprises the second CD after the album recording and theme park music. The latter cue is surprisingly uninteresting, using the wonder motif liberally but otherwise staying away from direct quotes of the other themes of the film and stewing at lesser intensities for much of its length. Among the alternate takes, fresh looks at the Victor Young-inspired "The Kiss" and the amusing, deleted "Levitation" scene involving Harrison Ford are points of interest. Most of the other alternate takes aren't significantly different from the versions eventually utilized in the film or on album. The 2017 set, reissued identically by the label in 2022, is the definitive presentation of this score, a worthy tribute to an undeniable, classic score, an achievement that still stands as one of the maestro's very best.  <span style="color: #ca5259">*****</span> <b>  <span style="color: #aac2f4;">@Amazon.com: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=E.T.%20The%20Extra-Terrestrial&tag=filmtracks-review&index=music&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">CD</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=E.T.%20The%20Extra-Terrestrial&tag=filmtracks-review&index=digital-music&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Download</a></span></b> <br> <br><table class="biascheck"><tr><td style="white-space: nowrap; padding: 3px 3px 0px 12px;"><b>Bias Check:</b></td><td style="padding: 3px 3px 0px 0px;"> For John Williams reviews at Filmtracks, the average editorial rating is <span style="color: #fff"><b>3.73</b></span> (in 83 reviews)<br>and the average viewer rating is <span style="color: #fff"><b>3.59</b></span> (in 356,122 votes). The maximum rating is 5 stars. </tr></table> </div>  </div> <div style="width: 720px; height: 50px; margin: 32px 0px 6px 4px;"> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:720px;height:50px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6483253369734723" data-ad-slot="5526089383"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> <br> <a class="anchor" name="ratings"></a> <table class="sectionheader"> <tr><td style="width: 46px;"> <img alt="Ratings Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_ratings.png" width="43" height="26" class="sectionheaderimage"> </td><td class="sectionheadertop"> <div style="padding: 4px 0px 0px 7px;"><b><i>VIEWER RATINGS</i></b></div> </td><td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 34px; font-size: 0.8em; color: #91b5ff; vertical-align: bottom; padding-bottom: 2px;"> <b><i>8,283 TOTAL VOTES</i></b> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" class="sectionheaderbottom"> </td></tr></table> <div style="margin: 20px 40px 30px 32px;"> <div style="background-color: #02011f; width: 180px; height: 150px; float: right; margin: 8px 12px 0px 0px;"> <script type="text/javascript"> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6483253369734723"; google_ad_slot = "6412269584"; google_ad_width = 180; google_ad_height = 150; </script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> <form method="post" class="ratingform" action="https://www.filmtracks.com/ratings/vote09.cgi?vote" style="font-size: 0.9em;"> <table style="width: 400px;"><tr> <td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #14125c; padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">Average: <td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #14125c; padding-top: 5px; font-size: 1.05em;"><b>4.3 Stars</b></td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 60px; white-space: nowrap; color: #ca5259; padding-top: 7px;"> *****</td><td style="width: 30px; padding-top: 7px;"><input type="radio" name="rating" value="5"></td> <td style="width: 60px; vertical-align: middle; padding-top: 7px;"><b>5,028</b></td><td style="width: 250px; padding-top: 7px;"> <img alt="5 Stars" src="https://www.filmtracks.com/images/vote/5.gif" height="10" width="230"></td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 60px; white-space: nowrap; color: #ca5259;">****</td> <td style="width: 30px;"><input type="radio" name="rating" value="4"></td> <td style="width: 60px; vertical-align: middle;"><b>1,771</b></td><td style="width: 250px;"> <img alt="4 Stars" src="https://www.filmtracks.com/images/vote/4.gif" height="10" width="81"></td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 60px; white-space: nowrap; color: #ca5259;">***</td> <td style="width: 30px;"><input type="radio" name="rating" value="3"></td> <td style="width: 60px; vertical-align: middle;"><b>818</b></td><td style="width: 250px;"> <img alt="3 Stars" src="https://www.filmtracks.com/images/vote/3.gif" height="10" width="37"></td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 60px; white-space: nowrap; color: #ca5259;">**</td> <td style="width: 30px;"><input type="radio" name="rating" value="2"></td> <td style="width: 60px; vertical-align: middle;"><b>305</b></td><td style="width: 250px;"> <img alt="2 Stars" src="https://www.filmtracks.com/images/vote/2.gif" height="10" width="13"></td></tr> <tr><td style="width: 60px; white-space: nowrap; color: #ca5259; padding-bottom: 7px;">*</td> <td style="width: 30px; padding-bottom: 7px;"><input type="radio" name="rating" value="1"></td> <td style="width: 60px; vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 7px;"><b>361</b></td><td style="width: 250px; padding-bottom: 7px;"> <img alt="1 Stars" src="https://www.filmtracks.com/images/vote/1.gif" height="10" width="16"></td></tr> <tr><td style="border-top: 1px solid #14125c; padding-top: 7px;"> </td> <td colspan="2" style="border-top: 1px solid #14125c; padding-top: 10px;"><input type="submit" value="  Vote!  "></td> <td style="border-top: 1px solid #14125c; padding-top: 10px; font-size: 0.85em;"> (View results for <a href="/ratings/classic/">all titles</a>) </td></tr></table> <input type="hidden" name="data_file" value="et"></form> </div> <br> <table class="sectionheader"> <tr><td style="width: 46px;"> <img alt="Comments Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_comments.png" width="43" height="26" class="sectionheaderimage"> </td><td class="sectionheadertop"> <div style="padding: 4px 0px 0px 7px;"><b><i>COMMENTS</i></b></div> </td><td style="text-align: right; padding-right: 34px; font-size: 0.8em; color: #91b5ff; vertical-align: bottom; padding-bottom: 2px;"> <b><i>132 TOTAL COMMENTS</i></b> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" class="sectionheaderbottom"> </td></tr></table> <table class="commentteasetable"><tr><td> <a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/et.html?page=comments">Read All</a></td><td> <a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?addnewmesg=0">Start New Thread</a></td><td> <a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?searcharea">Search Comments</a> </td></tr></table> <div style="padding: 20px 16px 8px 16px;"><table style="margin-top: 12px; background-color: #02011f; border: 1px solid #14125c; width: 98%"><tr><td style="padding: 4px;"><a class="anchor" name=151></a><a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?read=151"><span style="font-size: 0.95em;"><b>the best williams?</span></b></a><br><span style="font-size: 0.9em;">pangi</span> <span style="font-size: 0.85em; color: #4f7bbd;"> - December 13, 2021, at 1:43 a.m.</span></td><td style="padding: 4px; text-align: right; width: 40%; font-size: 0.95em;"> 1 comment <span style="font-size: 0.7em; color: #cacff3;"> (493 views)</span></td></tr></table> <table style="margin-top: 12px; background-color: #02011f; border: 1px solid #14125c; width: 98%"><tr><td style="padding: 4px;"><a class="anchor" name=149></a><a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?read=149"><span style="font-size: 0.95em;"><b>Original soundtrack is not from 1986</span></b></a>   <span style="font-size: 0.75em;"><a class="anchor" name=149></a><a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?read=149&expand=1">Expand >></a></span><br><span style="font-size: 0.9em;">AK</span> <span style="font-size: 0.85em; color: #4f7bbd;"> - June 29, 2018, at 5:40 a.m.</span></td><td style="padding: 4px; text-align: right; width: 40%; font-size: 0.95em;"> 2 comments <span style="font-size: 0.7em; color: #cacff3;"> (1653 views)</span><br><span style="font-size: 0.85em; color: #4f7bbd;">Newest: July 1, 2018, at 10:34 a.m.</span><span style="font-size: 0.90em; color: #4f7bbd;"> by<br> <span style="color: #aeccf9;">Zack</span></span></td></tr></table> <table style="margin-top: 12px; background-color: #02011f; border: 1px solid #14125c; width: 98%"><tr><td style="padding: 4px;"><a class="anchor" name=143></a><a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?read=143"><span style="font-size: 0.95em;"><b>Original "Goodbye" Cue?</span></b></a><br><span style="font-size: 0.9em;">Sean William Menzies</span> <span style="font-size: 0.85em; color: #4f7bbd;"> - June 29, 2007, at 5:24 p.m.</span></td><td style="padding: 4px; text-align: right; width: 40%; font-size: 0.95em;"> 1 comment <span style="font-size: 0.7em; color: #cacff3;"> (4148 views)</span></td></tr></table> <table style="margin-top: 12px; background-color: #02011f; border: 1px solid #14125c; width: 98%"><tr><td style="padding: 4px;"><a class="anchor" name=132></a><a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?read=132"><span style="font-size: 0.95em;"><b>end credits theme</span></b></a>   <span style="font-size: 0.75em;"><a class="anchor" name=132></a><a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?read=132&expand=1">Expand >></a></span><br><span style="font-size: 0.9em;">claude</span> <span style="font-size: 0.85em; color: #4f7bbd;"> - February 3, 2007, at 10:25 p.m.</span></td><td style="padding: 4px; text-align: right; width: 40%; font-size: 0.95em;"> 10 comments <span style="font-size: 0.7em; color: #cacff3;"> (14043 views)</span><br><span style="font-size: 0.85em; color: #4f7bbd;">Newest: April 28, 2007, at 12:19 p.m.</span><span style="font-size: 0.90em; color: #4f7bbd;"> by<br> <span style="color: #aeccf9;">Rob</span></span></td></tr></table> <table style="margin-top: 12px; background-color: #02011f; border: 1px solid #14125c; width: 98%"><tr><td style="padding: 4px;"><a class="anchor" name=128></a><a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?read=128"><span style="font-size: 0.95em;"><b>Breath - takingly beautiful and harmonic</span></b></a><br><span style="font-size: 0.9em;">Sheridan</span> <span style="font-size: 0.85em; color: #4f7bbd;"> - June 15, 2006, at 1:07 p.m.</span></td><td style="padding: 4px; text-align: right; width: 40%; font-size: 0.95em;"> 1 comment <span style="font-size: 0.7em; color: #cacff3;"> (3007 views)</span></td></tr></table> <table style="margin-top: 12px; background-color: #02011f; border: 1px solid #14125c; width: 98%"><tr><td style="padding: 4px;"><a class="anchor" name=127></a><a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/comments/titles/et/index.cgi?read=127"><span style="font-size: 0.95em;"><b>E.T. original film score</span></b></a><br><span style="font-size: 0.9em;">Matthew Guthier</span> <span style="font-size: 0.85em; color: #4f7bbd;"> - May 17, 2006, at 10:17 a.m.</span></td><td style="padding: 4px; text-align: right; width: 40%; font-size: 0.95em;"> 1 comment <span style="font-size: 0.7em; color: #cacff3;"> (4215 views)</span></td></tr></table> </div><table class="commentteasetable2"><tr><td style="padding: 0px 10px 0px 10px;"> <a href="https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/et.html?page=comments">More...</a></td></tr></table> <br style="clear: both;">  <br> <a class="anchor" name="tracks"></a> <table class="sectionheader"> <tr><td style="width: 46px;"> <img alt="Track Listings Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_tracks.png" width="43" height="26" class="sectionheaderimage"> </td><td class="sectionheadertop"> <div style="padding: 4px 0px 0px 7px;"><b><i>TRACK LISTINGS <span style="font-size: 0.75em;">AND</SPAN> AUDIO</i></b></div> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="sectionheaderbottom"> </td></tr></table> <div style="margin: 24px 36px 30px 26px;"> <table class="audiotable"> <tr><td><div style="font-size: 0.9em; padding: 8px 0px 8px 0px;" id="albumtrackstitle0"><b>Audio Samples <span class="albumtrackstablearrow">  ▼</span></b></div> <div style="display: none;" id="albumtrackssection0"> <table style="font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 10px;"><tr><td> <b> 1996 Album:</b><br><br><table style="margin-left: 18px;"><tr><td style="padding-right: 16px;"> 1. Far From Home/E.T. Alone (0:30)</td><td style="white-space: nowrap;"> <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audiomp3/et1.mp3">MP3</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(243K)</span>     <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audiowma/et1.wma">WMA</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(195K)</span>     <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audio/et1.ra">Real Audio</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(151K)</span> </td></tr><tr><td style="padding-right: 16px;">11. Sending the Signal (0:30)</td><td style="white-space: nowrap;"> <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audiomp3/et11.mp3">MP3</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(241K)</span>     <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audiowma/et11.wma">WMA</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(195K)</span>     <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audio/et11.ra">Real Audio</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(150K)</span> </td></tr><tr><td style="padding-right: 16px;">16. E.T. is Alive! (0:30)</td><td style="white-space: nowrap;"> <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audiomp3/et16.mp3">MP3</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(243K)</span>     <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audiowma/et16.wma">WMA</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(195K)</span>     <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audio/et16.ra">Real Audio</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(151K)</span> </td></tr><tr><td style="padding-right: 16px;">18. End Credits (0:30)</td><td style="white-space: nowrap;"> <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audiomp3/et18.mp3">MP3</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(254K)</span>     <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audiowma/et18.wma">WMA</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(202K)</span>     <a href="http://www.teletracks.com/audio/et18.ra">Real Audio</a> <span style="color: #4265b2;">(179K)</span> </td></tr></table></td><tr><td> </td></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table> <table class="albumtrackstable"> <tr><td><div style="font-size: 0.9em;" id="albumtrackstitle1"><table class="albumtrackssubtable"><tr><td><b>1986-1990 MCA Issues Tracks <span class="albumtrackstablearrow">  ▼</span></b></td><td class="albumtotaltime">Total Time: 40:14</td></tr></table></div> <div id="albumtrackssection1"> <table style="font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr><td style="padding-right: 30px;">  1. Three Million Light Years from Home (2:57) <br>  2. Abandoned and Pursued (2:58) <br>  3. E.T. and Me (4:49) <br>  4. E.T.'s Halloween (4:07) <br> </td><td>  5. Flying (3:20) <br>  6. E.T. Phone Home (4:18) <br>  7. Over the Moon (2:06) <br>  8. Adventure on Earth (15:06) <br></td></tr></table> </div></td></tr></table> <table class="albumtrackstable"> <tr><td><div style="font-size: 0.9em;" id="albumtrackstitle2"><table class="albumtrackssubtable"><tr><td><b>1996 MCA Album Tracks <span class="albumtrackstablearrow">  ▼</span></b></td><td class="albumtotaltime">Total Time: 71:21</td></tr></table></div> <div style="display: none;" id="albumtrackssection2"> <table style="font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr><td style="padding-right: 30px;">  1. Far from Home/E.T. Alone (6:49)<br>  2. Bait for E.T. (1:43)<br>  3. The Beginning of a Friendship (2:50)<br>  4. Toys (3:11)<br>  5. "I'm Keeping Him" (2:19)<br>  6. E.T.'s Powers (2:42)<br>  7. E.T. and Elliott Get Drunk (2:53)<br>  8. Frogs (2:10) <br>  9. At Home (5:37)<br> </td><td>  10. The Magic of Halloween (2:53)<br>  11. Sending the Signal (3:57)<br>  12. Searching for E.T. (4:16)<br>  13. Invading Elliott's House (2:22)<br>  14. E.T. is Dying (2:17)<br>  15. Losing E.T. (2:00)<br>  16. E.T. is Alive! (4:18)<br>  17. Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye (15:04)<br>  18. End Credits (3:51)<br></td></tr></table> </div></td></tr></table> <table class="albumtrackstable"> <tr><td><div style="font-size: 0.9em;" id="albumtrackstitle3"><table class="albumtrackssubtable"><tr><td><b>2002 MCA 20th Ann. Album Tracks <span class="albumtrackstablearrow">  ▼</span></b></td><td class="albumtotaltime">Total Time: 75:37</td></tr></table></div> <div style="display: none;" id="albumtrackssection3"> <table style="font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr><td style="padding-right: 30px;">  1. Main Titles (1:06)<br>  2. Far from Home/E.T. Alone (6:46)<br>  3. Bait for E.T. (1:44)<br>  4. Meeting E.T. (2:05)<br>  5. E.T.'s New Home (1:38)<br>  6. The Beginning of a Friendship (3:02)<br>  7. Toys (2:43)<br>  8. "I'm Keeping Him" (2:18)<br>  9. E.T.'s Powers (2:42)<br>  10. E.T. and Elliott Get Drunk (2:54)<br>  11. Frogs (2:10)<br> </td><td>  12. At Home (5:37)<br>  13. The Magic of Halloween (2:52)<br>  14. Sending the Signal (3:56)<br>  15. Searching for E.T. (4:16)<br>  16. Invading Elliott's House (2:21)<br>  17. E.T. is Dying (2:19)<br>  18. Losing E.T. (2:02)<br>  19. E.T. is Alive! (4:06)<br>  20. Escape/Chase/Saying Goodbye (15:01)<br>  21. End Credits (3:49)<br></td></tr></table> </div></td></tr></table> <table class="albumtrackstable"> <tr><td><div style="font-size: 0.9em;" id="albumtrackstitle4"><table class="albumtrackssubtable"><tr><td><b>2017/2022 La-La Land Albums Tracks <span class="albumtrackstablearrow">  ▼</span></b></td><td class="albumtotaltime">Total Time: 156:08</td></tr></table></div> <div style="display: none;" id="albumtrackssection4"> <table style="font-size: 0.75em; margin-top: 10px;"> <tr><td style="padding-right: 30px;"> <b>CD 1</b>: (77:42)<br> <br>  1. Main Title (1:14)<br>  2. Far From Home/E.T. Alone (6:57)<br>  3. Bait for E.T. (1:45)<br>  4. Meeting E.T. (2:08)<br>  5. E.T.'s New Home (1:28)<br>  6. The Beginning of a Friendship (2:53)<br>  7. Toys (3:13)<br>  8. I'm Keeping Him (2:20)<br>  9. E.T.'s Powers (2:44)<br>  10. The Closet<font color=#9393d5>*</font> (0:53)<br>  11. E.T. and Elliott Get Drunk (2:57)<br>  12. Frogs (2:12)<br>  13. At Home (5:38)<br>  14. The Magic of Halloween (2:55)<br>  15. Sending the Signal (3:58)<br>  16. Searching for E.T. (4:18)<br>  17. Invading Elliott's House (2:24)<br>  18. Stay With Me<font color=#9393d5>*</font> (2:24)<br>  19. Losing E.T. (2:04)<br>  20. E.T. is Alive (4:22)<br>  21. The Rescue and Bike Chase (8:07)<br>  22. The Departure (7:07)<br>  23. End Credits (3:55)<br> </td><td> <b>CD 2</b>: (78:26)<br> <br> <b>1982 Original Soundtrack Album</b>: (40:14)<br>  1. Three Million Light Years From Home (3:01)<br>  2. Abandoned and Pursued (3:02)<br>  3. E.T. and Me (4:54)<br>  4. E.T.'s Halloween (4:11)<br>  5. Flying (3:25)<br>  6. E.T. Phone Home (4:21)<br>  7. Over the Moon (2:12)<br>  8. Adventure on Earth (15:10)<br> <br> <b>Additional Music</b>: (38:12)<br>  9. The E.T. Adventure<font color=#9393d5>*</font> (4:12)<br>  10. Far From Home/E.T. Alone (alternate)<font color=#9393d5>**</font> (7:00)<br>  11. The Encounter<font color=#9393d5>*</font> (1:49)<br>  12. Meeting E.T. (Alternate)<font color=#9393d5>*</font> (2:20)<br>  13. E.T.'s New Home (Alternate) (1:27)<br>  14. The Kiss<font color=#9393d5>*</font> (0:49)<br>  15. Levitation<font color=#9393d5>*</font> (0:41)<br>  16. Searching for E.T. (Alternate) (4:19)<br>  17. Invading Elliott's House (Alternate)<font color=#9393d5>**</font> (2:24)<br>  18. E.T. is Dying (2:24)<br>  19. The Departure (Alternate) (7:06)<br>  20. End Credits (Alternate) (3:55)<br></td></tr></table> <div class="albumnotes"> * previously unreleased<br> ** contains previously unreleased music</div></div></td></tr></table> </div> <br> <a class="anchor" name="notes"></a> <table class="sectionheader"> <tr><td style="width: 46px;"> <img alt="Notes Icon" src="/images/2015/interior/review_icon_notes.png" width="43" height="26" class="sectionheaderimage"> </td><td class="sectionheadertop"> <div style="padding: 4px 0px 0px 7px;"><b><i>NOTES AND QUOTES</i></b></div> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="sectionheaderbottom"> </td></tr></table> <div style="margin: 26px 36px 90px 36px; font-size: 0.95em;"> The inserts of the original 1986-1990 albums include no extra information about the score or film. The 1996 reissue features outstanding packaging, with pictures from every cue and an interview with Williams about this score and a variety of topics. The 20th anniversary release in 2002 has fewer pictures and a reprint of the same interview. The 2017 and 2022 La-La Land sets' inserts contain a list of performers and detailed notes about most cues in the score.<br> <br> There exists a superior re-recording of the "Over the Moon" arrangement on the "Spielberg/Williams Collaboration" compilation from the early 1990's, an album that features strong performances by the Boston Pops and excellent sound quality.<br> <br> <div style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 26px; text-align: middle; width: 180px;"> <img alt="Williams & Spielberg" src="/images/photos/williams_spielberg.gif" width="150" height="96" style="border: 1px solid #aac2f4;"><br> <span style="color: #aac2f4; font-size: 0.75em;">Williams with Spielberg, 1982</span><br> </div> Below is an excerpt from an interview with Spielberg at the time of the film's release.<br> <br> <div style="padding-left: 20px;"><i> "In the case of <b>E.T.</b> (1982), John asked that we simply let him perform his theme without trying to measure it closely with the edited film. We shut off the projector and John perfromed the theme for <b>E.T.</b>, just letting the spirit come from his heart. It worked so well that we took the last scene back to the editing room and conformed out pictures to John's interpretive conducting. This score won him his fourth Academy Award (the third was for <b>Star Wars</b>), and my continued admiration and gratitude.<br> <br> I've always felt that John Williams was my musical rewrite artist. He comes in, sees my movie, rewrites the whole thing musically, and makes it much better than I did. He can take a moment and just uplift it. He can take a tear that's just forming in your eye and he can cause it to drip.<br> <br> In our ten year and six picture association, John Williams has been an immeasurable creative force in all of my movies. This should be obvious to anyone who realized that John was the voice of <b>Jaws</b>, the soul of the mothership from <b>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</b> and the furious heartbeat from which <b>Raiders of the Lost Ark</b> flowed. John's score to the movie <b>E.T.</b> is unlike any of his others. It is soothing and benign. It is scary and suspenseful and, toward the climax, downright operatic. For me, this is John Williams' best work for the movies. John Williams is <b>E.T.</b>" <br></i></div></div> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="width: 1034px;"> <div style="margin: 0px 34px 10px 34px;">  </div> </td></tr></table>  </td><td style="width: 123px; text-align: right;">  </td></tr></table>  </td></tr></table>  </div>  </td></tr> <tr><td style="text-align: center; background: url(/images/2015/common/footer_back.jpg) no-repeat 50% bottom; vertical-align: bottom;">  <div style="background: url(/images/2015/common/footer_swoosh.png) no-repeat top; margin-left: 50px; min-height: 75px;"> <div id="reviewfooter" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 960px; padding: 38px 54px 15px 0px; font-size: 0.7em; color: #3e4fa6;"> Copyright © 1996-2024, Filmtracks Publications. All rights reserved.<br> The reviews and other textual content contained on the filmtracks.com site may not be published, broadcast, rewritten<br> or redistributed without the prior written authority of Christian Clemmensen at Filmtracks Publications. All artwork and sound clips from <b>E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial</b> are Copyright © 1988, 1990, 1996, 2002, 2017, 2022, <a href=http://www.mcarecords.com/>MCA Records</a> (Original), <a href=http://www.mcarecords.com/>MCA Records</a> (Re-Issue), <a href=http://www.mcarecords.com/>MCA Records</a> (Expanded), <a href=http://www.mcarecords.com/>MCA Records/Universal</a> (20th Anniversary), La-La Land Records, La-La Land Records and cannot be redistributed without the label's expressed written consent. 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