From the film, ‘Close Encounters Of The Third Kind‘, released in 1977, directed by Steven Spielberg

Although it seems that Mr. Spielberg’s science fiction masterpiece seems to lend credence to the stories of alien abduction, government cover-ups and flying saucers, the fairy tale motif would suggest otherwise, an escapist fantasy played out on screen. At least, that’s how I look at it now. As an adolescent, I looked upon this movie with disdain for its Capra-esque optimism. As a child, however, Close Encounters played as a beautiful dream that could come true. Three distinct takes from three distinct seasons in life, but no matter how you slice it, this film is a powerful, aggressive piece of bombastic film making.

Two of my favorite films from the time (here and here) and on the same subject are typical examples of the sensationalist, exploitive approach. ‘Close Encounters’ seemed to act as a cap on the topic, the definitive statement if you will. Smartly, the story plays on the fears you likely had walking into the theater and then drives you into a completely different place emotionally without being judgemental. In that way, it stands apart from the rest. That is until Whitley Strieber‘s ‘Communion’ was published ten years later, recasting the phenomenon, once again, as a horror story.

The Bermuda Triangle, Easter Island, Bigfoot, Flying Saucers, Crop Circles. Folktales to frighten that have since been replaced by accounts relevant today. But in its time, ‘Close Encounters’ gave the stuff of B-movies and exploitation film a grade ‘A’ update by transforming our fears into hope.