Legendary director Steven Spielberg has made many decisions over the years, and when somebody’s cup runneth over to such a degree, there are bound to be a few regrets here and there. Now, Spielberg has finally revealed his thoughts on one of the most controversial choices from his storied career: The 20th-anniversary version ofE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Many of Spielberg’s films are still considered timeless classics, and it’s no surprise given the sheer passion involved. In some cases, that surprise is a bit more pronounced, such as the idea that a movie about a funny little alien getting lost on Earth can pack such an emotional gut punch. But 1982’sE.T.the Extra-Terrestrialstill lives fondly in the hearts of countless fans. Even starHenry Thomas' soul-wrenching 1981 auditionfor the film can still inspire a few tears. But there’s one aspect of that movie, particularly from its later re-releases, that audiences didn’t much care for. It turns out Spielberg agrees wholeheartedly.
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During an appearance atTIME’s 100 Summit, Spielberg finally cleared the air on the still hotly-discussed decision to remove all the guns fromE.T.’s 20th-anniversary release and replace them with walkie-talkies. “That was a mistake,” he quickly said when asked about the decision. “I never should have done that, becauseE.T.is a product of its era. No film should be revised based on the lenses we now are, either voluntarily, or being forced to peer through.”
“E.T.was a film that I was sensitive to the fact that the federal agents were approaching a bunch of kids with firearms exposed and I thought I would change the guns into walkie-talkies,” Spielberg continued, detailinghis biggest regret since one aspect ofJaws. “Years had gone by and I had changed my own views. I should have never messed with the archives of my own work, and I don’t recommend anybody do that. All our movies are a kind of a signpost of where we were when we made them, what the world was like and what the world was receiving when we got those stories out there. So I really regret having that out there.”
His stance is understandable. Very few stories of their time can remain culturally relevant years down the line, and that’s how it’s supposed to be. Sensibilities change, which is expected and often welcome due to how it results in more accessible entertainment for more people.That ’90s Showincludes better gay representationthan its predecessor. But that doesn’t mean Netflix should go back and adjustThat ’70s Showto be similarly inclusive. For one thing, that would ignore the fact that the original series did have some problematic elements, and it could end up feeling like an attempt to erase the experience of those who found them uncomfortable even at the time.
However, there is an argument to be had in favor of not simply ignoring things that haven’t aged well. SeeingE.T.with guns pointed at kids can be traumatic for someone who may have gone through one of the countless school shootings of the modern era. Similarly, some moreobscure and forgotten episodes ofLooney Tuneshave been handled well by not changing, but adding disclaimers pointing out how changing the offensive and otherwise problematic aspects of them would be the same as pretending they never existed. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it, and it looks like Spielberg understands that completely.
