E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

Released in 1982, this is a landmark of the Sci Fi genre, arguably Steven Spielberg's most important and influential film. Which, given his impact on filmmaking, the Hollywood system and modern popular culture, is saying something.

Written by Harrison Ford's then wife, Melissa Mathison, on the set of Raiders of The Lost Ark, E.T. is the tale of a young botanist stuck on strange, primitive planet called Earth, light years from home.

E.T. is befriended by a young boy, Elliot, and they develop a bond much deeper than mere friendship. But their innocent companionship is threatened by a government agent who will stop at nothing to get his hands on a real live alien.

With John Williams' singular score setting the tone and Spielberg's direction producing the maximum amount of emotion (especially from his child actors Henry Thomas and the teeny-tiny Drew Barrymore) this is a hanky-filling crowd pleaser that still warms the heart twenty five years after its initial release. A true family favourite, not to be missed.