Few directors know how to tap into the magic of childhood wonder like Steven Spielberg. In 1982, he once again cemented his reign as the king of blockbusters with his alien adventure ET Aliens, attracting countless audience members—young and old—grossing nearly $800 million worldwide. They were swept away by John Williams' stirring score and touched by the power of E.T.'s radiant love, as well as the emotional performances of little Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore. "ET The Extra-Terrestrial" is now ranked as Spielberg's best film on Rotten Tomatoesand it's hard to argue too much with that.

But despite becoming a critical hit and cultural phenomenon, there was some controversy overseas surrounding its release. ET was originally intended to be a horror film before Spielberg transformed the alien-world tale into more family-friendly fare. However, Scandinavia felt that the film still retained too much of the scares and tension typical of the genre.

As such, their local rating board has banned children under the age of 11 from watching ET Phone at home on the big screen. This was slightly stricter than in the US, where ET The Extra-Terrestrial was rated PG for language and thematic elements (including the infamous "penis breath" slur), meaning parental guidance was suggested for younger viewers. , but it is not necessary.

In 1983, Scandinavian director of censorship Gunnel Arback explained (via UPI) that Spielberg's celestial fantasy "may cause mental harm to children over the age of 7 but under the age of 11" due to its "threatening and terrifying mood" and depiction of "adults as enemies of children" (via Medicine Hat News). I'll admit, I was a little scared of ET as a kid, but it's nothing more brutal than your typical Disney movie, which was a big influence on Spielberg's work. ET's near-death experience and having to say goodbye forever is no different from traumatic moments like Bambi's mother being shot by hunters, Dumbo being torn from his mother, little boys turning into donkeys in Pinocchio or the fox, and the dog is walking. their special ways. All these movies are made for kids.

"ET" becomes very intense after the government agents arrive, suddenly changing the tone of the film from the sweetness and silliness of ET experiencing suburban American life - like learning how to spell on the Speak & Spell toy or watching old westerns on TV - to be hunted by men carrying big guns and thrust into a world of tubes, suits and plastic wraps. It is frightening and frightening to see the emaciated, pale alien on the operating table.

This idea that younger kids can't handle "ET" is funny because Spielberg poured all of his emotional pain, memories and grief over his parents' divorce as a young child into the film (he would also use this type of cinematic therapy at The Fabelmans decades later). Through the story of Elliot and his little alien friend, we are reminded that children experience difficult emotions and difficulties just as strongly and deeply, even though adults often try to protect them.

It's heartbreaking when Elliot learns he has to say goodbye to ET, just as it's heartbreaking for the kids to learn their parents won't be together anymore. As the children grow up, they also learn that adults don't always make the best decisions and have their own problems, whether they lead to a breakup or the experimentation of an innocent, good-natured space being. It is an important lesson for children to learn that adults are not infallible and even dangerous at times.

Spielberg's refusal to sanitize what would actually happen if an alien came to Earth is what makes ET such a legendary film. Scandinavia was not acting in the best interests of the children by trying to put them in a bubble and avoid these more difficult topics. Children need to see and understand that big feelings, like loss and abandonment, are okay to feel in a safe way and won't define the rest of their lives. It's just a part of life that is out of their control. "ET" does not cause mental injuries, but instead creates core memories.