Scripts
E.T. - THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL poster

Screenplay data

E.T. - THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL script

An alien botanist is accidentally left behind on Earth by his spacecraft and is discovered by a lonely young boy named Elliott. Elliott befriends the alien, whom he names E.T., and introduces him to his siblings, Michael and Gertie, while keeping him a secret from their mother, Mary. E.T. demonstrates telekinetic powers and a telepathic connection with Elliott, which causes them to share emotions and physical symptoms. As E.T.'s health declines, he builds a device to signal his home planet, but government agents led by Keys discover and quarantine the house, taking E.T. and Elliott for medical study.

Writer
Richard Michaels (Commentary)
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt0083866
110Scenes
9Characters
8Pages
1Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

E.T. - THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL Save the Cat analysis

A lonely boy discovers an alien stranded on Earth and hides him in his home.

Open full beat sheet
25

Key characters

Elliott

Elliott is listed as Protagonist. Youngest boy in the family, lonely, becomes E.T.'s primary companion. In the parsed data, Elliott is connected to 48 scenes, 55 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

48 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, UNKNOWN is connected to 43 scenes, 450 dialogue lines, first appearing around scene 1.

43 scenes / 450 dialogue lines

E.T.

E.T. is listed as Protagonist. Small, childlike alien with a glowing red heart and telekinetic powers. In the parsed data, E.T. is connected to 36 scenes, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

36 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Gertie

Gertie is listed as Supporting. Elliott's younger sister. In the parsed data, Gertie is connected to 31 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

31 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Keys

Keys is listed as Antagonist/Supporting. Government agent pursuing the alien, later becomes sympathetic. In the parsed data, Keys is connected to 25 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.

25 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Michael

Michael is listed as Supporting. Elliott's older brother. In the parsed data, Michael is connected to 24 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.

24 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Mary

Mary is listed as Supporting. Elliott's mother, recently separated. In the parsed data, Mary is connected to 20 scenes, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

20 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Steve

Steve is listed as Minor. Game Master for the boys' Dungeons and Dragons game. In the parsed data, Steve is connected to 9 scenes, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.

9 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Harvey

Harvey is listed as Minor. The family dog. In the parsed data, Harvey is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 7.

3 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. NIGHT SKY

    The camera pans down from a night sky to a forest.

  2. 1. EXT: SPACECRAFT

    An alien signals for others to return to the ship.

    E.T.

  3. 1. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM

    Elliott and Gertie discuss their Halloween plans.

    Elliott, Mary

  4. 1. INT: CLOSET

    Michael enters E.T.'s former space, sleeps, and wakes to find the plant wilting.

    Gertie

  5. 1. EXT: PARK

    The boys and E.T. meet at the park to prepare for their journey.

    E.T., Elliott, Gertie

  6. 2. LANDING SITE

    A spacecraft sits in a forest clearing; an alien enters.

    E.T.

  7. 2. EXT: FOREST

    Men with flashlights pursue the alien toward the spacecraft.

    E.T., Michael

  8. 2. INT: CLOSET

    Mike and Elliott prepare E.T. for going out.

    Gertie, Elliott, E.T.

  9. 2. INT: MEDICAL ROOM

    E.T. is declared dead despite medical intervention; family and Keys react.

    Elliott, Michael, Gertie, Mary, Keys

  10. 2. EXT: PARK

    Mary and police arrive at the van only to find it empty.

    Keys

  11. 3. SPACECRAFT'S GREENHOUSE

    Interior of the ship containing alien plants.

  12. 3. EXT: SPACECRAFT

    The spacecraft prepares for departure as E.T. is blocked out.

    E.T.

  13. 3. INT: STAIRCASE

    E.T. makes his way down the stairs.

    E.T.

  14. 3. EXT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Government agents arrive at the house; Mike's friends gather.

    Gertie

  15. 3. EXT: STREET

    Elliott and the boys lead a chase involving police and government agents.

    E.T., Elliott, Michael, Gertie

  16. 4. SPACECRAFT

    Aliens working outside are startled by a dog howl.

    E.T.

  17. 4. EXT: FOREST

    The spacecraft leaves, abandoning E.T. in the forest.

    E.T., Michael

  18. 4. INT: HOUSE

    E.T. is introduced to Mary in costume.

    Keys, Gertie, Elliott, E.T.

  19. 4. INT: MEDICAL ROOM

    Keys comforts Elliott; E.T. shows signs of life.

    Elliott, Michael, Gertie, Mary, Keys

  20. 4. EXT: FOREST

    E.T. departs via his spaceship as he says goodbye to his friends.

    E.T., Elliott, Michael, Gertie, Mary, Keys

  21. 5. FOREST

    An alien gathers plants and walks among the redwoods.

    E.T.

  22. 5. EXT: HILLTOP

    E.T. flees down the slope while being pursued.

    E.T., Michael

  23. 5. EXT: STREET

    Mary gives the children instructions before they leave.

    Keys, E.T., Gertie, Elliott

  24. 5. INT: DECONTAMINATION CHAMBER

    Elliott confirms E.T. is alive to Mike.

    Elliott, Gertie

  25. 6. HILLTOP

    The alien is discovered by government agents.

    E.T., Michael

  26. 6. EXT: SUBURBAN HOUSE

    Establishing shot of the house.

  27. 6. EXT: COMMUNITY

    Establishing shot of the neighborhood and Gertie waiting.

    Mary

  28. 6. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Mary reads a note provided by Gertie.

    Michael, Mary, Keys

  29. 7. SPACESHIP

    An alien transmits a homing signal.

    E.T.

  30. 7. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Boys play Dungeons and Dragons while Elliott tries to join.

    Elliott, Gertie, Harvey

  31. 7. EXT: STREET

    E.T. mistakes a trick-or-treater for another alien.

    E.T., Gertie, Elliott

  32. 7. EXT: PLASTIC TUNNEL

    Elliott and Mike attempt to escape in the van.

    Elliott, Gertie

  33. 8. FOREST

    Agents hunt the alien as he tries to reach the ship.

    E.T., Michael

  34. 8. EXT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Elliott gets the pizza and hears a noise.

    Elliott, Steve

  35. 8. EXT: HILLTOP

    The group reaches the hilltop to regroup.

    Gertie, Elliott, E.T., Mary

  36. 8. EXT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Gertie reveals the destination to Keys.

    Michael, Mary, Keys

  37. 9. SPACECRAFT

    The spacecraft prepares to leave.

  38. 9. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Kitchen scene with Mary and the boys.

    Gertie, Keys

  39. 9. EXT: FOREST

    E.T. uses telekinesis to fly the bike.

    Elliott, E.T.

  40. 9. EXT: STREET

    The escape van manages to disconnect the tunnel.

    Elliott, Gertie

  41. 10. FOREST

    The alien races to catch the departing ship.

    E.T.

  42. 10. INT: PATIO

    Elliott investigates noises in the backyard.

    E.T., Elliott

  43. 10. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Mary waits anxiously for the children to return.

    Keys

  44. 21. INT. ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Elliott tries to convince his family that there is a creature in the tool shed, leading to an investigation.

    Elliott, Keys, Gertie, Harvey

  45. 22. EXT. SHED

    The exterior of the shed is shown with the light on.

  46. 23. EXT. PATIO

    The family approaches the shed, Michael finds tracks, and the group returns to the house.

    Elliott, Keys, Gertie, Harvey

  47. 24. INT. SHED

    Evidence that the alien is inside the shed.

    E.T.

  48. 25. INT. ELLIOTT'S BEDROOM

    Elliott and the dog hear noises during the night.

    Elliott, Steve

  49. 26. EXT. BACKYARD

    Elliott investigates the backyard.

    Elliott

  50. 27. EXT. CORNFIELD

    Elliott encounters the alien.

    E.T., Elliott

  51. 28. EXT. BACKYARD

    Evidence of the alien's flight through the backyard.

    E.T., Elliott

  52. 29. EXT. GARAGE

    Elliott begins searching for the creature.

    Elliott

  53. 30. EXT. FOREST ROAD

    Elliott lures the creature with candy while being pursued by Keys.

    E.T., Elliott, Michael

  54. 31. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    The family has dinner while Elliott expresses frustration about his sighting of the creature and his father's absence.

    Keys, Steve, Elliott, Gertie, Mary

  55. 32. EXT: BACKYARD

    Elliott waits for the creature and successfully establishes contact.

    Elliott, E.T.

  56. 33. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Elliott leads E.T. into the house using candy.

    Elliott, E.T.

  57. 34. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM

    Elliott and E.T. meet in the room and begin communicating through mimicry.

    Elliott, E.T.

  58. 35. EXT: FOREST

    Keys discovers candy in the forest while searching for the alien.

    Michael

  59. 36. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM

    Elliott fakes an illness to stay home, narrowly avoiding his mother finding E.T. in the closet.

    Elliott, Keys

  60. 37. EXT: DRIVEWAY

    Mike backs the car out awkwardly while Mary leaves.

    Gertie, Keys, Mary

  61. 38. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM / KITCHEN

    Elliott tries to teach E.T. language and they share a telepathic emotional connection.

    Elliott, E.T., Steve

  62. 41. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM

    Elliott interacts with E.T. hiding in his closet.

    E.T., Elliott

  63. 42. EXT: DRIVEWAY

    Michael arrives home.

    Gertie

  64. 43. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Michael enters the house and searches for food.

    Gertie

  65. 44. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM

    Elliott reveals E.T. to Michael and Gertie, followed by an interruption from Mary.

    E.T., Elliott, Gertie, Mary, Keys

  66. 45. INT: CLOSET

    The children discuss keeping E.T. a secret from Mary.

    E.T., Elliott, Gertie, Mary, Keys

  67. 46. EXT: COMMUNITY

    Government agents survey the neighborhood.

    Michael

  68. 47. EXT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Establishing shot of the house.

  69. 48. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Mary interacts with Gertie.

    Mary, Keys

  70. 49. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM

    E.T. displays his telekinetic powers.

    E.T., Elliott, Gertie, Mary, Steve

  71. 50. EXT: BACKYARD

    Elliott investigates suspicious sounds.

    Elliott

  72. 51. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM

    E.T. reads a book and uses his powers to heal wilted flowers.

    E.T.

  73. 52. EXT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Elliott and Mike walk to school, arguing about E.T.

    Elliott, Gertie

  74. 53. EXT: STREET

    Mike's friends tease Elliott while waiting for the bus.

    Elliott, Gertie

  75. 54. INT: ELLIOTT'S HOUSE

    Gertie is upstairs while Mary searches for the noise she heard.

    Mary, Keys

  76. 55. INT: ELLIOTT'S BEDROOM

    Mary checks the closet but fails to notice E.T. among the dolls.

    Keys

  77. 56. INT: SCHOOL

    A teacher prepares for a frog dissection; Elliott's E.T. drawing is discovered.

    Elliott

  78. 57. INT: ELLIOTT'S ROOM / KITCHEN / SCHOOL

    Intercut sequence showing E.T. drinking beer at home while Elliott experiences the effects at school.

    E.T., Elliott, Steve

  79. 58. INT: LIVING ROOM

    Mary returns home; E.T. continues learning; Gertie helps E.T. speak.

    E.T., Mary, Keys, Steve

  80. 59. INT: HOUSE

    Elliott discovers E.T. can talk and is dressed up.

    E.T., Elliott, Gertie, Mary

Dialogue examples

Look at what they've done to you. I'm so sorry. You must be dead. I... I didn't know how to feel. I can't feel anything anymore. You've gone someplace else now. E.T., I love you.

UNKNOWN / Scene 6

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