CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) Director’s Cut & Restored, Sat May 23, 2pm & 6:30pm at The Park Theatre

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) Director’s Cut & Restored, Sat May 23, 2pm & 6:30pm

Tickets $10/$9 – In our 330-seat theatre with BIG screen and 17-speaker surround sound

Close Encounters of the Third Kind, directed by Steven Spielberg, stands as a landmark in science fiction cinema for its optimistic vision of first contact with extraterrestrial intelligence. The Director’s Cut (also known as the Collector’s Edition, released on home video in 1998) represents Spielberg’s preferred version. It runs approximately 137 minutes and restores elements from the original theatrical cut while incorporating select sequences from the 1980 Special Edition without the extended mothership interior footage.

This restored Director’s Cut balances mystery, wonder, and human drama more effectively for many viewers than the theatrical (135 min) or Special Edition (around 132 min) versions. It follows everyman Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss), whose life unravels after a UFO encounter, as he obsessively pursues the meaning behind implanted visions leading him to Devils Tower, Wyoming, for a profound meeting with benevolent aliens. The film’s groundbreaking practical effects, Vilmos Zsigmond’s luminous cinematography, and John Williams’ iconic five-note motif create an enduring sense of awe.