'70s Class: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

 An all-time Classic- even if another Sci-Fi Film from the same Year kind of overshadowed it.

This is Close Encounters of the Third Kind, a 1977 Film by, of course, Steven Spielberg.
It's got an interesting place in Film History as some people know it well, others know it by reputation and many just don't talk about it all that much.

Notably, the Film features Richard Dreyfuss and Melinda Dillon, the former of which is more famous for their previous Film and the latter for their later Film.  She did get an Oscar nomination, which is quite notable.  I guess you can Award Nominations if someone like Spielberg Directs your Sci-Fi Film, eh?

If you don't know, the Plot involves strange sightings in the sky, people obsessed with the truth and a government essentially denying it.  So...2023, then?

To see what can be gleamed from this Film after over 40 years, read on...

Before I start, a note about the different Cuts.  There's the Theatrical (135 minutes), the Special Edition (132 minutes) and the Collector's Edition (137 minutes).  I'm reviewing the latter.

The Film is all about Family and how you interact with them.  That is, until...

Strange lights in the sky!

They seem to lure a young child- who was nearly got an Oscar nomination! - away from home.

Along with some others, they end up seeing the UFOs.

Dreyfuss also ends up seeing the lights and has the marking to prove it- he's got a big, red tan on the right side of his face.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Government is not exactly wanting to talk about it.

Depending on which Cut you watch, you'll see them actually come to Town and talk to them about how there is 'nothing to see here.'

When they are away from the cameras, they are trying to figure out how the Aliens communicate and why missing Ships/Planes are showing up.

Hey look- it's Bob Balaban.  Il parle francais.  Qui savait?

A long section comes up where we basically see Dreyfuss go through PTSD.

He acts crazy for quite a while and...where are the Aliens again?

It's also apparently a bit therapeutic for the Writer/Director as he's a stand-in for his Dad here.

Can this French guy- Francois Truffaut in his only non-French Film- figure out the key to speaking to the Aliens?

As it turns out, it is music.

As to why they randomly abduct people, that's...not answered.

Everything builds up to the return of the Aliens in their Ship.  In spite of the Film otherwise being overlooked, they were given an Oscar for the Special Effects.

The Aliens are...odd looking and they make sure to drop off our 20+ year missing people in exchange for some new people.

There goes Dreyfuss with the Aliens...leaving his family behind without saying good-bye.

Also you see the Ship's Interior in the 2nd Cut, but not this one.  The End.

It is still an all-time classic.  That said, there's certain caveats for younger, first-time viewers OR people that haven't seen it in ages.

For one thing, it is a '70s Film in all of the best and worst ways.  The good parts are the sharp dialog, strong acting, focus on Characters and a sense of grandeur.  The bad parts are the slower Pacing and long stretches that don't focus on the Aliens.

I'm just saying- the Ships are only seen 3 times in the Film and the Aliens themselves only show up at the end.  If you're expecting something different, just be forewarned.

That said, the Ship effects still hold up quite well today.  They also made sure not to really show the actual Aliens all that much and the Film is better for it.

I mean, it's a Classic.  It's ultimately still a Film of its time though.

It is also regular viewing in Wyoming- where the Finale takes place- and used for Tourism.

Next up, let's switch to a different Film from my pile of DVDs.  What will I pick next?  Stay tuned...