E.T. the Extra Terrestrial celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, an event that came with the usual fanfare: a Blu-ray re-release (without the controversial 2002 shotgun removals and computer animation), interviews, and behind the scenes footage. In this video, Henry Thomas (who played Elliott) had finished his not-so-great audition when director Steven Spielberg asked him to improvise a scene. Having nothing to lose, he went for broke. According to a 1991 TV Guide interview, he summoned tears by thinking of the family's deceased dog. The result is nothing short of magical.
About the improvisation, Spielberg said: "[It] was so heartfelt and honest that I gave him the part right there... I was blown away by this nine-year-old. Then I came to realize he’s an adult actor, not a nine-year-old. He’s a very controlled, methodical performer who measures what he does and feels what he does and yet broadcasts it in a totally subtle way. His performance is so controlled, unlike most kid performers, who seem to be giving you 150 percent on every shot. Henry’s performance is just a bread crumb at a time, but he takes you in a wonderful direction to a very, very rousing catharsis. He’s just a 'once in a lifetime' kid."
Thomas later recalled that his tears during the finale were real: "I couldn’t stop crying because I worked with E.T. every day and he was real to me." The scene obviously resonated with audiences since it is still talked about today and often regarded as one of the most powerful movie finales of all time.
Watch as Henry Thomas nails it and, Spielberg says, "OK, kid, you got the job," .
About the improvisation, Spielberg said: "[It] was so heartfelt and honest that I gave him the part right there... I was blown away by this nine-year-old. Then I came to realize he’s an adult actor, not a nine-year-old. He’s a very controlled, methodical performer who measures what he does and feels what he does and yet broadcasts it in a totally subtle way. His performance is so controlled, unlike most kid performers, who seem to be giving you 150 percent on every shot. Henry’s performance is just a bread crumb at a time, but he takes you in a wonderful direction to a very, very rousing catharsis. He’s just a 'once in a lifetime' kid."
Thomas later recalled that his tears during the finale were real: "I couldn’t stop crying because I worked with E.T. every day and he was real to me." The scene obviously resonated with audiences since it is still talked about today and often regarded as one of the most powerful movie finales of all time.
Watch as Henry Thomas nails it and, Spielberg says, "OK, kid, you got the job," .
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