E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Movie script (Copy) Complete screenplay including 114 pages Shooting Script August 21, 1981 with revisions Revisions dated September 14, 1981 Screenplay by Melissa Mathison Rare 114 page shooting script for the Steven Spielberg film "A Boy's Life", fake title for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. There was never any script or previous draft that mentioned E.T. as a title until this final shooting script version. The film was initially shot under the codename "A Boy's Life". Actors were required to read the script behind closed doors and everyone on set had to wear an ID card at all times. The pages were intentionally left unnumbered so that, if a script were stolen or copied, the correct order of the script would remain unknown. For that same reason, the title 'E.T.' was never mentioned from the very first page and they keep the undercover name. This version of the screenplay reflects the production-stage shooting script used during filming, incorporating revisions added on September 14, 1981 as the project moved into active production. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, and Peter Coyote. The story follows Elliott (Henry Thomas), a young boy who discovers and befriends a stranded extraterrestrial, forming a deep emotional bond while helping the creature attempt to return home. The screenplay is notable for establishing the emotional tone and narrative structure that would define one of the most influential family science fiction films in cinema history. The script’s focus on childhood perspective, friendship, and empathy became central to the film’s lasting cultural impact and its reputation as one of the most celebrated works directed by Spielberg. Did you know? Our scripts come directly from the USA. They are easy to recognize because they have the standard U.S. paper size. Typically, people use A4-sized paper (297mm in height) to make fan copies of scripts. This paper size is not used in the United States; they use letter-sized paper (279mm in height). This is noticeable because this scripts usually have black lines at the top and bottom, showing that the original paper size used to copy (any American script) is smaller than A4. Also, our scripts have been preserved under the strictest climate control standards in HVAC-R conditions, both during storage and throughout the packaging process. As a result, a label is applied after sealing them, as shown in the photos. They are bound in the same way that vault copies of scripts are preserved, without any oxidizable materials that could damage the paper. They are carefully packed in bubble wrap and placed in a cardboard box to ensure they arrive in the best possible condition.