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Ah, Close Encounters, it is so confusing - so many versions, so little time.
In brief -
original release - Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) tosses trees and shrubs through his window while his wife and kids get in the car and leave. He uses this stuff to build a big Devil's Tower in his living room.
The Special Edition - Spielberg got to recut the film to his own liking, with the studio-mandated provision that he add a new sequence, in which the audience, along with Roy, gets to see the inside of the Mother Ship. This version omits a couple of establishing scenes in which we see Roy at his job in a power plant. Also, this version omits the ravaging of the backyard, but we see the finished Devil's Tower in the living room and have little idea of how it got there. (not a great choice) This version also includes a fairly disturbing scene in which a frustrated Roy attacks his wife (Terry Garr) during a nervous breakdown. Other added scenes include the discovery of a lost battleship in the desert, and a brief UFO flyover shadow.
Criterion laserdisc version - This rarity included the original theatrical cut, with the added material included as supplements at the end of each disc side.
I recall there was also a Theatrical Cut only disc.
The NEW Special Edition - laserdisc and DVD - This is yet another Spielberg approved cut, perhaps his final word on the matter. (?) The shrub-throwing is back, the early work scenes are still missing (but included in the supplements) the 'inside the mothership" sequence is gone (again included elsewhere on the disc.) The unfortunate nervous meltdown scene is still there. (It's really unpleasant and makes Roy's character more difficult to relate to.)
There are other differences, but these are the major ones I can recall without being at home or able to go watch any of the above. A definitive DVD would have to include the original theatrical cut as a branching opton, at least.
Did I say 'in brief?" Yeesh.
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