“ET phone home.” No movie-goer in 1982 can forget that memorable line uttered by a Hollywood alien who would go on to steal the collective heart of America with his wise and gentle ways. Now you can see this classic, family-friendly movie for all ages on the big screen once again and introduce your own family to the magic when “ET – the Extra-Terrestrial” (20th Anniversary Edition) comes to the Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport on Sunday, April 18 at 3:00pm. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Box Office by calling 978/462-7336. All proceeds will benefit the Newburyport Commission for Diversity and Tolerance (CDT) and the suggested donation is $8 for Adults and $5 for Students.
Directed by Stephen Spielberg (1982) the film tells the thrilling and deeply moving story of the special friendship that develops between Elliott, a lonely, young boy living in suburban California, and a wise, benevolent visitor from another planet who becomes lost on Earth. As Elliott attempts to help his extra-terrestrial companion contact his home planet so that he might be rescued, they must elude scientists and government agents determined to apprehend the alien for their own purposes ...which results in an adventure greater than anything either of them could have imagined. The film co-stars Dee Wallace Stone, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and, at the tender age of six, Drew Barrymore.
An extended version of the film, including altered special effects, was released on March 22, 2002 to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of ET's original release. Certain shots in the film had bothered Spielberg since 1982. For example, having become a father, Spielberg was more sensitive about the scene where gun-wielding federal agents threaten Elliott and his escaping friends. In the 20th Anniversary Edition Spielberg edited the film and digitally replaced the guns with walkie-talkies.
Spielberg himself has suggested that the story's central alien-human friendship is an analogy for how real-world adversaries can learn to overcome their differences, thus making it a perfect pick to promote the message of the Commission of Diversity and Tolerance, a city-appointed commission, which works to promote and support a sense of welcome and inclusion for all residents with in greater Newburyport. The CDT cooperates with racial, religious, ethnic, civic, fraternal, benevolent, private and public agencies in eliminating discrimination and intolerance.
This event is co-produced by the Firehouse and the Commission for Diversity and Tolerance (CDT) and all proceeds are to benefit the CDT.
Back to The Latest News