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Close Encounters of the Third Kind

£195.00

Film

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Additional information

Year

1977

Size/Type

UK Quad / Single Sided / (30" x 40")

Country of Origin

UK

Condition

Near mint minus ; originally folded (as issued)

Director

Stephen Spielberg

Actor/Actress

Bob Balaban, François Truffaut, J Patrick McNamara, Melinda Dillon, Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr

SOLD - this item is sold. Please browse our currently available stock

“Close Encounter of the First Kind – Sighting of a UFO. Close Encounter of the Second Kind – Physical Evidence. Close Encounter of the Third Kind – Contact…WE ARE NOT ALONE !”

One of the most instantly recognisable movie poster images of all time. This original 1977 UK Quad film poster for Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” looks absolutely stunning as presented here. Originally folded (as issued) this rare unrestored example displays very well with deep rich colour. Without the white border (used on the US One Sheet) this full bleed design really does give it a stunning immersive look that draws you in to the image, giving an almost 3D effect. One of modern Cinema’s truly iconic images and a superb item of collectable movie memorabilia!…“If everything’s ready here on the Dark Side of the Moon…play the five tones.”

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Vintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria... read more +

Film Description

Close Encounters of the Third Kind Movie Poster

“He says the sun came out last night. He says it sang to him”

Two years before Ridley Scott scared the wits out of moviegoers with the claustrophobic Alien (1979), a young Steven Spielberg had already thought of outer space. He gave us benevolent aliens instead. While Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Alien are undeniably great films about that nagging possibility of life in the faraway corners of our universe, both represent very clearly two extreme ends of the spectrum between good and evil….Close Encounters was made at a time when science-fiction cinema was godly. The late 1970s/early 1980s was the golden period for science- fiction that saw the likes of top-quality films such as Star Wars (1977), Alien, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982), and Blade Runner (1982) being worshipped on the pedestal for cinematic brilliance. Fresh from the box-office and critical success of Jaws (1975), Spielberg pushed the boundaries of sci-fi storytelling with a bold and visionary film that continues to weave its magic on moviegoers more than thirty years on….Richard Dreyfuss stars as Roy Neary, an out-of-sorts father whose encounter with UFOs one night causes him to become inexplicably drawn to a certain image that he tries to make sense of. Ignoring his frustrated family, he builds an entire sculpture that looks like a huge rock mountain out of mud, soil, and brick right in his home. That whole sequence is a splendid example of a set-piece that is not only absurdly hilarious, but also acts as a midpoint “bridge” between the film’s establishing first half and the free-spirited second half….Spielberg intentionally paces the film more slowly than your typical Hollywood blockbuster, taking time to create a strong sense of mystery of the unknown. There is misdirection in certain scenes that suggest that the aliens could be malevolent. The long setup creates suspense and builds to a high level of anticipation. When we eventually get to the climax, we sense something truly special is about to happen. John Williams’ unforgettable score is integral to the success of this setup as he plays with variations of the famous five-note leitmotif that would burst into a full orchestral piece in the climax….The majestic finale is awe-inspiring, and a feast for the eyes and ears. Through the use of models, clever use of lighting, and framing of shots, Spielberg conjures up a climatic set-piece that remains one of the best in the history of Hollywood cinema. On hindsight, with Close Encounters, Spielberg has fashioned what seems like a “prelude” to his most famous film E.T. While E.T. is undeniably an emotional roller coaster ride of the highest order, Close Encounters is a more sensory one that emphasizes on pure visual spectacle. Even then, the film is remarkably thought-provoking. It is simply too difficult not to admire this Spielberg masterpiece. Printed in England by Lonsdale & Bartholomew Ltd. Nottingham

Vintage Movie Posters Grading Criteria

Mint
A poster that has never been used or displayed and may show the most minor signs of age and wear. The poster should have no holes or tears.

Near Mint
A generally unused poster with fresh, saturated colors. May have minimal tears at folds. Has no significant holes, no paper loss, may have minor tears along edges, may have fine pin holes.

Very Fine
A poster with bright colour and crisp overall appearance. It may have very general signs of use including slight fold separation and fold wear. It may have pin holes or very minor tears. This is the highest grade allowed for a poster that has been restored either on linen or on paper.

Fine
A poster with good colors and overall clean appearance. It may have minor tears small paper loss and minor stains. It may have some fold seperation.

Good
An average poster with overall fresh color. May have tears, minor paper loss, minor hazing. Paper may be brittle due to age, may have minor stains. May have a small amount of writing in an unobtrusive place. May have medium or major restoration.

Fair
A poster with faded colors and brittle paper, showing significant signs of use. May have tears and paper loss. May have tape, writing, stains in image area. In need of restoration or had major restoration.

Poor
A poster that is worn, torn, and/or damaged. May have staining, cracking, dry rot, and/or large tears. May be heavily soiled, may have pieces missing. In need of major restoration.

All photographs and images used on our site are photographs of the actual poster/item you are buying, we do not use stock photographs.

Most Popular Poster Types

US Posters

LOBBY CARD
11 x 14″ printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.

WINDOW CARD
14 x 22″ printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970’s.

HALF SHEET
22 x 28″ printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.

INSERT
14 x 36″ printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.

STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60″ printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.

ONE-SHEET
27 x 41″ printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass “marquee” case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980’s most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27″ by 40″ and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.

THREE-SHEET
41 x 81″ printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970’s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as “international” versions to be used abroad.

BRITISH Posters

BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40″ Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.

BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40″, printed on paper. Very rarely used size.

ITALIAN Posters

ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28″ six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.

ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26″ Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.

2-FOGLIO (DUE)
(DUE): 39 x 55″ This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.

4-FOGLIO
(QUATTRO) 55 x 79″ Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.

FRENCH Posters

FRENCH
47 x 63″ (GRANDE) or 24 x 33″ (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian’s some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.