Can't decide which cut of this film you prefer? Then invest in this collection. All three cuts of the film are on three seperate discs. The original theatrical cut; the special 1980 edition and Spielberg's 'Director's Cut'. It's just a shame that artists can't always seem to get it right first time. My instinct would be to go with the original theatrical cut in this case. As far as I know, unlike Robert Wise with' Star Trek-The Motion Picture', Spielberg was not under any studio pressure to reach a deadline. The original cut is Steven's original vision and is available on dvd for the first time here. Spielberg has since regretted the studio-imposed 'showing inside the spaceship' ending of the 'Special Edition' and so created his director's cut (A 'best bits of' the first two cuts. What reasons there are for not getting it right first time are unknown to me. Still, a worthy purchase - and fascinating from the viewpoint of seeing a director perfecting a vision, in his own mind at least. And it's still an entertaining film, whichever disc you pop into the player.

Do you remember seeing this film for the very first time and what sense of anticipation there was surrounding it. I do, as a 15 yr old, queuing from 5am in the morning to be first in the cinema.
I have seen this film so many times since then that I know it backwards, however it still hits the spot..everytime.
This three disc version has everything we could ever wish for and is an excellent transfer having being digitally remastered. I was surprised just how good the images were on my large LCD. Don't forget that this is a dark film with many of the most memorable scenes played out at night, but there is very little in the way of grain and the blacks are very deep indeed. The UFO scenes involving the many different coloured alien craft simply just out of the screen at you and I was as impressed as I was 31 years ago.
Boasting a DTS soundtrack (that is a little on the subdued side) this remastered release of The Original, Special Edition and Directors Cut versions of the film is a real treat.

Forget ET as the best Spielberg alien contact movie. This movie is far-far better. I cannot think of a film that still managers the regain the sense of wonder and imagination as the first time you saw it.
There are so many striking images in the film to mention.
Richard Dreyfuss is perfectly cast as the every day guy who witnesses the life changing events. The film is perfect in every sense. This has to be up there with Alien/Aliens as the greatest Sci-Fi movies ever made, But even to call it science fiction would be to do the story a injustice as the story is firmly set in the real world.
One of the greatest films ever made.
A pefect movie in every sense.
Buy Now!

Following the smash hit "Jaws" Steven Spielberg brought a life long interest in UFOs to the screen in 1977's Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Telling the story of a group of ordinary people, whose lives are touched by contact with extra terrestrials, the movie won acclaim and fans across the globe, following, as it did, hot on the heels of the ground breaking Star Wars.

When Spielberg announced that he would revisit the movie in the early 1980s, he reinvented not only the concept of the special edition, but also created a storm of protest from movie fans who failed to appreciate the changes. Much like George Lucas' fans years later, audiences missed the original version of the movie. It was around 20 years before the movie would be reissued in yet another "collectors edition" and this time a hybrid of the first and second edits was released - but again no original version. The "Neary inside the mothership" is absent making the ending more ethereal, and certain key scenes are reinstated balancing the family's story - scenes that were sorely missed in the 80's version. These changes bought a more rounded movie - but still the fans asked to see the original film again

In fact only Laser Disc enthusiasts have ever been able to enjoy the original cut on home video - until now. Finally this version will bring together all three versions including the Hoy Grail first cut.

At Play's price it's an offer too good to miss and certainly worth double dipping or unloading your copy of the old DVD on thris very site! Like Blade Runner, a very welcome addition to the DVD collection!