The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (2001 Video) User Reviews

How could be Close Encounters with McQueen???

[elo-equipamentos · 7/10 · 26 December 2019]

I never imagined that Spielberg had his first choice to leading role with Steve McQueen, what a surprise, he almost begged to him, also he was willing takes the crying scene to get McQueen, sadly he turns down due he may couldn't cry properly, Steven Spielberg until now felt more respect for him, the whole doc is displayed by own director words, one the most noticeable things disclosure is about the special effects over the mother-ship, when Spielberg was so grateful with such person which he included him on the film's credits, also he says that took four years developing this conceptive movie, Spielberg exposes primarily to Universal Pictures during Jaws shooting, however they reject the offer believing to be a joke such childishness idea, Columbia concertedly accepts and earned much money, due the Company was in the red on those times, great revealing documentary that bring to us valuable informations over so peculiar and unique production!!!

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First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: Blu-Ray / Rating: 7.5

A very good look at making a classic

[Kubrick006 · 9/10 · 29 May 2001]

This is a very indepth look at the making of the movie. Its a little too long but that is fine. It makes up the fact that there is no commentary for the dvd but this will do. This is a must see for anybody who loves to know what it takes to make a movie.

I didn't care very much for the movie, but this is a pretty interesting documentary.

[MovieAddict2016 · 31 July 2004]

Included on the CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND: Special Edition DVD, this very lengthy documentary chronicles the making of the film, from conception, to production, to post-production. The cast (mainly Spielberg on the set of Saving Private Ryan) offer their recollections.

The movie itself disappointed me. I have to say that I found it extremely overrated and not very fascinating at all.

The documentary, on the other hand, is quite well-made and informative. I've seen better (much better actually) but still...compared to some this is quite good and I can't complain.

Whether the film deserves such a decent making-of is another question altogether.

3.5/5

Do they really remember that long ago?

[bekayess · 1 June 2001]

For the most part, I enjoyed this addition to the DVD. But I can't believe Cary Guffey (among others) would have so many memories. For instance, Mr. Guffey's memory (and Ms. Dillon's as well) of the "kitchen going crazy scene" lead one to believe the kitchen effects were performed in real time while Guffey and Dillon did their part. To achieve the scene as described, it would have to be captured by multiple cameras, but watching the scene, one can tell that different portions of the kitchen were probably filmed at different times. "The knives" that Dillon worrried would hit "the baby" were likely filmed at a different time, and the actors weren't even present. Of course, actors aren't always known for their memory of shooting. . .I can't remember some of my theatre work (as a musical director) from 10 years ago, let alone 25. If these fanciful memories are entertaining to the average "non-show-biz" person, then I guess they serve a purpose.

The technical descriptions and such, though, are quite entertaining.