When I first heard the score to E.T. back in the mid-80's, I wasn't really impressed. I let go of the opportunity to get it then and forgot about it. The in 1991 when I got my CD player, one of the first CD's I borrowed from the library was the Sony Classical release of The Spielberg/Williams Collaborations. On that CD I first heard the flying piano composition from E.T. entitled Over the Moon. I was completely blown away by what I heard. I decided to watch the movie again and this time I focused more on the music and I realized that Williams had written a tremendous score but I hadn't been mature enough to realize it back then.
To quote Spielberg, "John's score to the movie E.T. is unlike any of his others. It is soothing and benign. It is scary ans suspenseful and, toward the climax, downright operatic." Spielberg summed up exactly what I felt about the soundtrack. It was able to convey so many moods and emotions in such short order that it is unbelievable. Here again Williams introduces us to the main theme for E.T. in Three Million Light Years From Home and it is carried throughout the picture. It is not only representative of E.T., but his relationship with Elliot, and his adventure on Earth.
Speaking of 'adventure on Earth', it is wonderful to see that the track of the same name is presented here in its entirety rather than just a portion of it. It is adventurous as Elliot and his friends evade the feds and it turns triumphant as they fly off into the sunset. Another track that comes to mind is E.T.'s Halloween. In the scene in the movie, E.T. meets with a child dressed as Yoda, that was Spielberg's homage to his friend George Lucas's creation. Williams also joins in and pipes in a few notes from Yoda's Theme to also pay homage to Lucas. And to top it off, this original version of Over The Moon is even better than the re-recorded one. This is one of Williams's most heartfelt scores and it is worth investing in, even more worthy of investing is a later release that was digitally remastered as it has better sound and more music from the movie.
Total time: 40:14
1: Three Million Light Years From Home (2:57)
2: Abandoned and Pursued (2:58)
3: E.T. And Me (4:49)
4: E.T.'s Halloween (4:07)
5: Flying (3:20)
6: E.T. Phone Home (4:18)
7: Over The Moon (2:06)
8: Adventure on Earth (15:06)