This release still doesn't have the alternate ending that the ginormous laserdisc box set has. Really glad I'm holding onto that. But the picture quality on the Blu-Ray is just effing STELLAR. Definitely happy with it.

EDIT: The only thing I miss about the 20th Anniversary Edition was the live orchestra track and the crowd noises from the 2002 gala premiere. Totally worth putting up with the mindless PC alterations to hear that lovely score recreated live.

Spielberg didn't misinterpret anything @thedaz - Spielberg didn't misinterpret anything from the fans, it was HIS choice not to include the 2002 version of the film because he regrets ever making it....he felt that it took away from the magic of the original version (something that I wish he could pass on to Lucas), as well as taking away from the time period that it was filmed in, by having all those terrible special effects added. I understand that it is nice to include ALL the versions.....and I wouldn't be opposed to have all of them....but I'm just glad that Spielberg recognizes that adding updated special effects doesn't necessarily make the film better. So, in this case, I'm not bother that he's only including the original because it the FAR SUPERIOR version of the film.

SIDE NOTE: Spielberg actually said that he wasn't interested in including it in this release when he was being interviewed at one of the conventions (dont remember which one).

TAKE NOTE GEORGE LUCAS!!!

I wish they'd include harrison fords deleted scene and any others we havent seen. The documentary before showed the filming of it and portions of it but i want to see the actual scene itself. I also hope theres a neat booklet or some form of insert. Thats something dvds stopped doing long ago and i always missed that.

Wilson Bros wrote: The most grossly offensive change made for the 20th anniversary edition was switching the line "you're not going as a terrorist!" to the idiotic "you're not going as a hippie!", which seems to suggest that it was more socially acceptable to go out in fancy dress as a terrorist than as a peaceful flower-child.

It was almost certainly altered because it was only about a year since September 11th 2001, and the mere mention of the word "terrorist" caused knee-jerk reactions.

The Wilson Bros

It wasn't buildings collapsing that the terrorists actually wanted, it's Americans to bend to their will and be afraid of anything mentioning anything about buildings, guns, explosions, etc. They got exactly what they wanted which was America as a whole suddenly becoming ultra-sensative to every little thing enough to feel the need to make changes in classic films. Suddenly everyone gave a c**p when they never did before and I was so glad when people got over it. It's also why posters from a local metal band were ripped down from my college campus by faculty after 9/11 because there happen to be a picture of a gun on the cd art.

I am happy they forgot about the 2002 version. Subtle FX changes aside, the other changes were just a testament of needless and fear-induced censorship.

Bouncy X wrote: can't believe it just clicked now but.....a digital copy AND ultra violet?  wasn't ultra violet created to replace the digital ones so there wouldnt be an extra disc that would be rendered useless once the expiration hits months or a year later?The ultimate goal of Ultraviolet is to get all the studios under one digital copy umbrella, but it needs a lot of work. I imagine including both kinds of digital copies is a way to quell the massive backlash from consumers. Just try and read the Amazon reviews for the US version of Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Actually last year Spielberg had a public press conference about this release as he wanted to ask the fans directly if they wanted the 2002 version released on blu-ray with the original version (as he admitted some of the alterations were wrong and were loathed, i.e. the walkie talkies).  The fans unaminously told him face to face that they DID NOT want the 2002 version. So Spielberg gave the fans what they wanted.....poor guy can't win sometimes!

I wonder if the live orchestral score option will be included on this one...

7958NHZY wrote: Kind of pointless to make it a Blu-ray/DVD combo since I bought the original DVD release in 2002

all blu-ray/dvd combos are pointless in my eyes. what's next, are they gonna offer music cd combos with a cassette?  i guess i wouldnt mind as much if they didnt charge more but alas they always do around here.

Kind of pointless to make it a Blu-ray/DVD combo since I bought the original DVD release in 2002

Although I still believe that the Go-Motion effects were (and still) a little dated, I'm getting a copy of the movie on Blu-ray with no questions asked.

My favourite movie of all-time!

As for the 2002 version, I don't mind it but I didn't like the removal of the guns and I always thought the bath scene was cute but ET's facial expressions were slightly off.  He seemed to go from slightly docile to a little peppy just for that scene.

Nightmare wrote: What is the difference between the 1982 and 2002 versions I'd really like to know please

People told you already, but if you want it more specifically (from IMDb Alternate Versions entry):

Quote: A special 20th Anniversary edition (with a digitally remixed soundtrack, additional footage and computer-generated enhancements to existingscenes) was released in March 2002. It included the following include the following changes:

    a new, CGI-enhanced scene showing E.T. and Elliot taking a bath together. The scene was originally sc**pped because Spielberg thought the animatronic effects weren't up to par;
    for the "E.T. phone home" dialogue scenes, CGI has been used to make E.T.'s lips movement match the words more closely;
    a longer version of the Halloween sequence;
    in the original release, the government agents pursuing E.T. and Elliot had weapons in their hands; the new edition digitally replaces them with walkie-talkies/
    changes in dialogue: Elliot's mother's prohibition to go trick-or-treating dressed as "a terrorist" has been changed to "a hippie"

thedaz wrote: A lot of the effects were updated (subtly) like spaceship the flying, E.T. running, his facial movements were enhanced and there was an extra scene of Elliot giving him a bath.
Guns were also digitally replaced with walkie talkies, which always bugged me. In principle, I like the idea of both versions being on the release, but I know I would never touch the 2002 version.

It's been a while since I've watched it, so I'll do my best.

A lot of the effects were updated (subtly) like spaceship the flying, E.T. running, his facial movements were enhanced and there was an extra scene of Elliot giving him a bath.

This is starting to look like the 2002 version won't be included. This may sound odd, but that has me feeling a little worried.

I totally get all the Lucas movie-tinkering backlash, but this is going too far the other way.

I wonder if Spielberg has misheard the fans on this one. I think most would appreciate having both the 1982 and 2002 versions on Blu-ray.

I think Ridley Scott totally gets it. Blade Runner is the perfect example. I love having ALL the versions in HD. It adds to the overall appreciation of the movie.

I saw E.T. in the cinema when I was 12 and then again when I was 32. Both releases have meaning for me. There are things about the updated version I quite like and have become attached to.

I'd be seriously bummed not to have the option to enjoy both the 1982 and 2002 versions.

If this doesn't have the 2002 version but DOES have Digital Copy and Ultraviolet (both useless IMO), I'd be very disappointed.

At least the cover is pure perfection. It couldn't be better.