With the release of the 30th Anniversary Edition of Close Encounters of the Third Kind on DVD, I couldn’t help but begin to wonder which version of the film most people prefer. So, I thought I would start a poll to at least see what DVDTalk members prefer.

Of course, feel free to post and discuss why you prefer one cut over the others.

I enjoyed it the most the first time I saw it opening day so that's my preferred cut, but I don't know that I've seen that cut in a long long time so who knows if I'd still like it.

I wasn't planning on picking the new release up since I didn't know it included the original cut, but now I probably will.

Frankly, I don't know the movie well enough to know the differences.

I like the movie, but not enough to keep sitting through it to watch the different versions.

Is there a review or listing somewhere detailing the differences?

love the people who reply "I don't know" why even reply?

Maybe trying to learn something from those who do have more information/knowledge of the subject.

If you don't care enough to see the different versions, you're not who this thread is intended for. But carry on.

I have never seen the original until now and the DC was my fav but the original was interesting to see some of the alt scenes and takes. The Special edition was okay but the ending was definitely better in the original / DC.

My sentiments exactly. Making the alien ship more mysterious sounds like a better choice.

I've only watch the DC version so far, but I really liked it. Nice sense of wonder with this flick...

I saw it on opening day in 1977. So the original version is the one I prefer. As a young kid it had a huge impact on me.

I saw the original version back in '77, and have seen the SE 3 or 4 times since then. But I just don't remember what the specific differences are. So sue me for asking.

Our new mod?

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Loved the movie as a kid, but as an adult it puts me to sleep.

I guess that means theatrical version...though I don't know if I would like that today either.

Prior to getting the 30th Anniversary DVD, I would have thought that my preferred cut was the Director's Cut, but after checking out the Theatrical Edition, I do indeed believe that cut is "paced" a bit better. I never really cared for the Special "inside the mother-ship" Edition.

I'm somewhat surprised more people haven't voted in my poll...

that probably just means you're boring now

same here,

even though I picked the Director's Cut - I have to go with the scene and deleted line that wasn't included in the DC of the film - "They can fly rings around the moon, but we're light years ahead of them with the highways"

Correct me if I'm wrong:

The original theatrical version, which I saw twice when it came out, uses the musical theme "When you Wish Upon a Star" in the end credits, which made the whole audience go "Awwwww...". This seems to have disappeared from subsequent versions. Did Disney up its price or did John Williams decide not to share his residuals? Or is this part of the Disney-Dreamworks quarrel?

The Special Edition with the interior view of the ship is a bit much.

I own the Director's Cut, which is fine with me, except for the above-mentioned musical omission and the fact that the crossing of the Red Sea scenes from the Ten Commandments (1955) on TV have different music than the original film, probably for copyright reasons.

Now, when I watch this film, all I can think of is how the two main families depicted spend most of their time eating, spilling food on the floor and on themselves, going to the bathroom, banging doors, speaking in grunts, arguing, screaming at the top of their lungs, exhibiting antisocial behaviour, destroying their house and living in a total pigsty (much like the characters in E.T., actually). Did Spielberg want to establish a parallel with the "Dawn of Man" sequence from 2001: A Space Odyssey?

in regards to the missing 'When You Wish Upon A Star' music cue - I miss it too.

as for the depiction of Roy's family and subsequent 'alien'nation/detachment, I know that in the documentary Spielberg mentions that he - now as a parent, recalls that CE3K and specifically Roy, was very naive and selfish - in other words, even though the whole point and plot of CE3K was a true one off plot device for Spielberg - he finds many faults and personal decisions as a director to the character of Roy, that he wouldn't approve of now.

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Clearly you haven't met me
You could describe me in lots of pejorative ways but boring would probably not be one of them.

So, i think i only know the theatrical. seen it many moons ago. are the other versions better? good? terrible? which version do you like and watch most?

I hadn't watched in years so not too long g ago I got the urge to watch it again. I hadn't seen the Special Edition probably since not long after it came out so input that one in.

Seeing the inside of the ship really doesn't ruin anything for me, since Roy's journey to the site was the whole point and then the idea of where do they take him afterwards is still unknown.

I guess I can't answer. All 3 cuts are worthy interpretations of the story.

Saw it when it opened. Watched it on commercial broadcast TV once a few years later. Never saw any other versions. Have no real interest in seeing it again, no matter what the version.

I loved the old cav criterion laser disc where you could take the first two cuts ( the directors wasn't out yet) and make your own version of the movie