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Steven Spielberg’s magical masterpiece E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was the highest-grossing movie of all time for more than a decade after its release in 1982, and inspired a new kind of kid-focused, often fantasy-oriented adventure films. The picture also features one of the most enduring scores by legendary composer John Williams, a multiple award winner in its time. As part of a long-running 40th anniversary campaign that’s included a terrific making-of book, apparel, a theatrical IMAX reissue and a new Ultra-HD Blu-ray release, two labels are releasing Williams’ E.T. soundtrack in some very exciting ways.

La-La Land Records has reissued its definitive 2CD presentation of the score as first released in 2017. Produced and mixed by Williams’ chief restorer Mike Matessino and original album producer Bruce Botnick, E.T. still sounds brilliant, offering the full score as heard in the film – the first album to feature all the takes as originally heard and used in the final cut of the film – along with a remaster of Williams’ original LP of re-recorded highlights, rare and unissued alternate takes and even a Williams-penned theme for the E.T. Adventure ride that opened at Universal Studios Florida in 1990. Matessino’s informative notes and a brilliantly designed cover and package by Jim Titus seal the deal.

Matessino and Botnick’s presentation of the film score will also be pressed to vinyl by Mondo this fall. Originally issued by La-La Land in 2018, this 2LP set, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and available in black, “full moon” and “heartlight” color schemes, features brand-new artwork by Dan McCarthy and a new essay on the score by The Second Disc’s own Mike Duquette!

Don’t miss your chance to add this unforgettable music to your home. La-La Land’s CD is available to order now (as are identical re-pressings of the label’s double-disc treatment of Williams’ Close Encounters of the Third Kind as well as a remastered and expanded 2CD edition of Jurassic Park), while Mondo’s vinyl will be available to pre-order Wednesday, August 31 at 12 p.m. CT on the label’s official store.

John Williams, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (40th Anniversary Edition) (originally released as La-La Land Records LLLCD 1420, 2017 – reissued La-La Land Records LLLCD 1594, 2022; original film released 1982)

Disc 1: Film score presentation

1. Main Titles
2. Far from Home/E.T. Alone
3. Bait for E.T.
4. Meeting E.T.
5. E.T.’s New Home
6. The Beginning of a Friendship
7. Toys
8. I’m Keeping Him
9. E.T.’s Powers
10. The Closet
11. E.T. and Elliott Get Drunk
12. Frogs
13. At Home
14. The Magic of Halloween
15. Sending the Signal
16. Searching for E.T.
17. Invading Elliott’s House
18. Stay with Me
19. Losing E.T.
20. E.T. is Alive
21. The Rescue and Bike Chase
22. The Departure
23. End Credits

Tracks 10 and 18 were new to original version of this package. All others released on previous reissues: MCA Records MCAD-11494, 1996 and MCA/UMG Soundtracks 088 112 819-2, 2002

Disc 2: Original soundtrack album and bonus material

1. Three Million Light Years from Home
2. Abandoned and Pursued
3. E.T. and Me
4. E.T.’s Halloween
5. Flying
6. E.T. Phone Home
7. Over the Moon
8. Adventure on Earth
9. The E.T. Adventure
10. Far from Home/E.T. Alone (Alternate)
11. The Encounter
12. Meeting E.T. (Alternate)
13. E.T.’s New Home (Alternate)
14. The Kiss
15. Levitation
16. Searching for E.T. (Alternate)
17. Invading Elliott’s House (Alternate)
18. E.T. is Dying
19. The Departure (Alternate)
20. End Credits (Alternate)

Tracks 1-8 released as MCA Records 6109, 1982
Tracks 9, portions of Track 10, Tracks 11-12, 14-15 and portions of 17 first released on original version of this package
All other tracks first released on MCA Records MCAD-11494, 1996

John Williams, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (40th Anniversary Edition Vinyl) (originally released as La-La Land Records LLLLP 2004, 2018 – reissued Mondo MOND-279, 2022)

LP 1

1. Main Titles
2. Far from Home/E.T. Alone
3. The Encounter
4. Bait for E.T.
5. Meeting E.T.
6. E.T.’s New Home
7. The Beginning of a Friendship
8. Toys
9. I’m Keeping Him
10. E.T.’s Powers
11. The Closet
12. E.T. and Elliott Get Drunk
13. The Kiss
14. Levitation
15. Frogs
16. At Home
17. The Magic of Halloween

LP 2

1. Sending the Signal
2. Searching for E.T.
3. Invading Elliott’s House
4. Stay with Me
5. Losing E.T.
6. E.T. is Alive
7. The Rescue and Bike Chase
8. The Departure
9. End Credits