E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL redefined the boundaries of creative cinema on its first release in 1981, garnering nine Oscar nominations and becoming one of the most-watched and best-loved films of all time. Now another generation is about to be introduced to E.T. in a digitally enhanced 20th Anniversary print, complete with additional footage. Directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Melissa Mathison, the film tells the touching story of a visitor from another planet who, marooned on Earth, is befriended and protected by a young boy. Each learns from the other before together, they finally find a way to send the peace-loving alien home. In full colour throughout, the book includes many behind-the-scenes stories from the makers and stars of the film. It explores how the project was conceived, how the film was cast, and how anxious its makers were about its reception until its stunning unveiling at Cannes. It examines how the alien was designed and the mechanics of how he was made to walk, talk, eat -- and phone home. Spielberg and Mathison tell how they wrote the screenplay in just eight weeks, and Spielberg discusses his thoughts on making films for both children and adults. The ONLY available record of how E.T. was made, this is a book which every fan of this landmark film will treasure.