ET's original theatrical cut to get Blu-ray release

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial will be released on Blu-ray for the first time on 12 November to mark its 30th anniversary. Rather than re-releasing the 20th anniversary version, though, director Steven Spielberg has opted for the 1982 theatrical cut.

This will please many fans as the 20th anniversary version, released in 2002, was infamous for replacing guns with walkie-talkies during the iconic scene where Elliot and his friends escape police by cycling into the sky.

The Blu-ray cut will be digitally re-mastered for viewing quality, at ‘six times the resolution of DVD’, while at the same time seemingly avoiding the type of adjustments that, for many, marred the DVD and Blu-ray release of films like the original Star Wars trilogy.

It is unlikely that there will be any further CGI enhancements like those favoured by George Lucas. In 2011 Spielberg claimed that the he would not digitally enhance any of his films in the future, and that he would always refer people back to the 1982 cut of E.T. as the definitive version.

The 30th anniversary release includes new special features such as ‘The E.T. Files’; a look at the making of the film and some new behind-the-scenes footage, as well as a cast reunion and a recent interview with Spielberg himself.

The film also returns to its PG rating, having been rated U in its 2002 release, further suggesting that the director wants this to be a genuine re-release of the original film.

The 30th Anniversary Blu-ray edition of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial will be released on 12 November 2012.