Close Encounters of the Third Kind: The Complete Edition

I gave both versions a watch and I must say, the work you've done is seriously amazing! The edits between TC, SE, and DC all ebb and flow together beautifully! The unused music cue for the mothership interior sequence fits so much better too! I even saw the SD workprint and it definitely feels like a longer and deeper documentation of the unfolding events in the story! Everything just feels so at home with itself and it's grandiose to see this!

If I do have to voice some critiques/nitpicks it would be that the HD picture feels heavily compressed and the 24fps rate feels stuttered with those slight bumps in between which can hinder the smoothness of the film's look. The other thing is the slight audio bump at the music cue at the start of the mothership interior sequence, as well as several small pops and cracks which can be heard sometimes. Another thing that takes me out of the experience a bit are the small markers indicating which version and whatnot.

Those are the only things I think could've done with some more work for further polish. As a whole however, this film is one of my all-time favorites, and just the ability to experience it in a whole new way gives a spark in my soul I can't even begin to put into words. If you're looking for an edit that not only enhances your viewing of this film, but also COMPLETES it, then this is the edit for you!

If this were to ever receive an update addressing the mentioned problems, I would gladly come back to re-experience this edit again! As it is though, it's a must-watch for those who grew up with this Spielberg classic.

Bravo to Wraith!

Echoing what everyone else has said, this is a great edit with all available HD scenes put back in nicely (too bad about the SD scenes, but I think it's the right call leaving those to the SD workprint). That being said, perhaps I got an outdated or damaged copy (edit: I watched the v1.03 versions) as I noticed at least a dozen video issues and almost twice that in audio issues. I did redownload and reunpack the files but the issues were still there. They were also all in the same places in both versions.

All of the video errors looked like stuttering, like frames were out of sync for only half a second or so. All of the audio errors seemed to be related to scene/shot changes (the first one I noticed was almost exactly at 33:00, just after the shot of Ronnie's feet walking on the road approaching Roy, when the shot changes to the both of them there is a split second of silence where there shouldn't be). In the last 20 minutes or so there were quite a few audio pops, again during shot changes.

A personal preference of mine, I did not like the small markers in the bottom right corner that denoted which version the current scene was from (SE, DC, TC, AUDIO, etc.). That can be a bit distracting and I think would be better suited to a togglable subtitle file.

All of THAT being said, this is still the version I would prefer watching in the future (I prefer the "no inside of the ship ending") and heartily recommend it. I do love this movie, and the extra bit of time I get to spend with it without having to juggle three editions thanks to this edit is a wonderful thing. I am, though, hoping for an updated version in the future which repairs the errors, which would make this a perfect edit.

I found this in MP4 format, so I copied it to a USB stick and played it off my Blu Ray player's USB slot. I projected it on a 100" screen with a 4K projector with a DD7.1 audio setup. It's been long enough I couldn't automatically pick out what Wraith had added back to the film/integrated to the film,. There were a few noticeable frame skips/jumps that I later realized were probably related to lower quality scenes that Wraith added. I think this is a compelling edit of the film, worth the download and if you're a fan (which I am, ever since first seeing it around 1981 or so. My parents did not bring me to see it in theaters unfortunately. That was Star Wars' release year which I DID see in the theaters). This movie engenders a feeling of wonder in me, especially because of some of teh actors involved. Dreyfus really is compelling in his compulsion and the relief and wonder he shows at the end. The extra bits added in didn't seem to make any narrative issues and seemed to be worth it.

My only negatives on this are that the sound mix was lackluster. Not only did I have to push the volume a lot, but there was little in the way of use of the surrounds that I could hear. It wasn't terrible, it just wasn't as good as I would have hoped.

Thanks so much to Wraith for all the hard work.

I got a chance to see Wraith's CE3K edit collection and I am very, very impressed. Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi film is a classic and this makes it even more of a wonder. This collection is a fanboy's dream, maximizing the thrill and awe Spielberg's film portrays.

I view CE3k 2-3 times every year as a tradition and have seen practically ever version available. The '77 Theatrical, 1980 Special Edition, every re-release in theaters and even all the home releases including the VHS, laserdisc, DVD, Bluray and recently the 4K release. I try and pick up different things each time. Sometimes they're noticeable and others not. Sure each new restoration brings forth something new, but they're all the same intended versions in the end.

Now with Wraith's presentation, it all comes forth in a fascinating and literally original way. A way that brings extra magic in the mix. I am thrilled to add this into the forefront of my vast cinema experiences. :)

As Roy Neary contemplated ..."This means something. This is important." And in reference to this edit it means even more.