Close Encounters: Which Version?!

I seem to recall liking the DC as well, but honestly I'm gonna have to watch all 3 to get them straight in my head as well.

Any version that doesn't have that GAWDAWFUL "inside the Mothership" ending!

I loved the scene where he re-creates the mountain (rock) in his basement in the original (great, imo), which was completely cut out of the 2nd cut. I don't know if it's back in the last version (I haven't watched that one yet).

In my opinion, the director's cut from 1997 pretty much nailed it.

1977 was damn good, but a little rough.

1980 added a few neat things, removed far too many good things, and added that terrible mothership jerkoff ending the studio wanted.

1997 pretty much takes the best of both versions. There's literally only one scene that is missing that I think should have gone back in (the "pillow" scene, for those who know the film). But that's a minor, minor quibble.

If you're watching for the first time, I'd start with the 1997 DC. Then watch 1977 for an early cut, 1980 for a first editing pass, the 1997 (again) to rewatch the final result. The Director's Cut works, IMHO.

Yeah, that pillow scene being cut in the DC made no sense to me at all. It was only like 20 seconds and is referenced later in the film, so why cut it?

Yeah, go with the 1997 DC first.

I plan to watch the cuts in chronological order. I'm not sure I've ever seen the theatrical cut. Hopefully, once I've seen them all over a relatively short period of time, I will be able to have a definite preference.

The Blu-ray set includes a cool poster fold-out insert that gives specific details on the differences between the three versions. Sony really outdid themselves with the packaging on this disc.

Personally, I think the DC is far and away the best.

I dont think the theatrical cut ever came out on Home Video until the Criterion LD which I rented soon after release.

will watch it in chronological order )))

Indeed.

For the same reason it was cut in the 1980 version; because Spielberg moved the India scene up in the film to better inter-cut between Neary's story and the scientists. Spielberg did not like the way the pillow scene cut into the beginning of the India scene, so he shortened it to a less-jarring cut. As the 1998 cut retains this new scene order, the cut also remains.

That's on both the Special Edition and Director's Cut. I believe the Theatrical Version is the only one without it.

Incorrect. The inside of the mothership is exclusive to the 1980 Special Edition.

I also miss that "I saw bigfoot once!" scene. Think I'll have to watch the Theatrical version first.

nope. the mothership ending is ONLY on the Special Edition (1980) cut of the film

No the director's cut doesn't have it either. Spielberg has a great quote printed in the book included in the set in which he says it was a mistake for him to have ever filmed that, because the inside of the ship belongs to the viewers' imagination, and it was wrong to ever take that away from them.

That was also restored to the 1998 cut after being removed from the 1980 version. The only good scene the 1998 version lacks (IMO) is when Carl Weathers "gently" suggests to Neary that sticking around would not be in his best interests. Great scene.

Good to know. And I do miss the Carl Weathers scene in recent viewings.

I think the 1998 Director's cut is the best version of the film.... hands down

That's in the DC. Great scene and that actor rocks.

"Her name's Christine..."
Great character actor.

yep.

Roberts Blossom

http://imdb.com/name/nm0089348/

Woah! Just checked and he's retired and HERE in Berkeley!

This should have been a pole. But it looks like the 97 DC is the fav.

This came out today? Looks like a run to Frys Electronics is in the cards tonight. I'm was not a huge fan of this movie when it first came out but as I get older I appreciate movies like this one much more.

I'm gonna watch all three - in order. But the '97 is my fave.

agreed.

imo, the 97 rates slightly ahead of the 77 theatrical release (of course, i think i saw the theatrical release about 100 times at the movie theatre )....

boycott entirely the 80, due to the mothership ending... not to mention the rest of the butchering that went on...

But, but, but I just gotta see whats on the other side of the bright light!