Film director and producer Steven Spielberg is well-known for his attention to detail and commitment to realism in many of his movies. This often includes using real-life professionals or experts to enhance the authenticity of movie scenes. According to CNN, Spielberg used real-life doctors while filming one of his most iconic movies ever, 1982’s E.T. the Extraterrestrial.
Spielberg Used Actual Doctors To Make E.T. More Authentic
E.T. the Extraterrestrial was the biggest blockbuster of 1982, which now stands as the fourth most successful movie of all time in the US, having won four Academy Awards. One of the reasons it remains a timeless classic is that it was never meant to be an effects-heavy movie, as Spielberg didn’t want a movie that would captivate the audiences over special effects. Instead, the movie’s special effects are mostly practical, with Spielberg paying extreme attention to nearly every scene while trying to make it as realistic as possible—including the ET doctors scene.
The Scene Had Doctors Examining E.T. After He Fell Ill
For those who haven’t watched E.T. the Extraterrestrial—and we question the existence of such individuals—the scene we’re referring to is the one in which ET is gravely ill, and the government agents come to examine and treat him. Spielberg decided to use real-life medical doctors and nurses to add to the authenticity of the medical procedures being depicted in the E.T. the Extraterrestrial. He believed that real medical professionals would move and react more naturally in a medical crisis scenario than actors pretending to be doctors.
It Paid Off, And E.T. Remains One Of The Most Beloved Films In Cinema History
Ultimately, the movie’s success proves that the director was right. The scene in which ET is surrounded by the doctors and medical staff is booming with urgency and uncertainty that are often associated with urgent medical interventions, and Spielberg’s choice to use real-life doctors contributed to the realistic feel of a very intense and emotional scene. Admittedly, this is one of the rare cases in which Spielberg used real-life professionals instead of actors on camera, as most experts usually remain in consulting roles.
Spielberg Used The Same Approach With His Other Blockbuster Movies
As stated above, Spielberg is well-known for his attention to detail and collaboration with various experts, such as ET doctors. But his practice extends beyond E.T. the Extraterrestrial; Spielberg consulted military advisers while filming Saving Private Ryan, whose opening scene is often lauded for its intense realism. He took the same approach for Schindler’s List, as well as Jaws, and he even had real-life Frank Abagnale Jr. heavily involved in making Catch Me If You Can. Unfortunately, he couldn’t hire real extraterrestrials or dinosaurs to play in E.T. the Extraterrestrial and Jurassic Park.
40 Years Later, E.T. Remains Significant As New Generations Discover The Sc-Fi Masterpiece
In CNN’s interview with Spielberg and Henry Thomas—the actor portraying the 10-year-old boy in the movie—both the director and actor shared some of their memories from the sets, including Thomas eating unhealthy amounts of Reese’s Pieces, President Reagan’s childlike expression when seeing the movie, and all the practical effects used on the set, including the ET doctors.
Today, 40 years since its release E.T. the Extraterrestrial remains one of the most iconic pieces of cinematography that was to the ‘80s what The Wizard of Oz was to the late ‘30s and early ‘40s.
