Inspiration

E.T.'s story about the children of divorced parents finding happiness through an otherworldly new friend was actually inspired by director Steven Spielberg's own upbringing.

During his childhood, the creator's parents divorced, leaving Steven feeling isolated. Eventually, the young man created an imaginary friend who was an alien to help him cope with the situation.

Spielberg drew on this experience to create the basis of what 'E.T.' would become.

He said: "A divorce creates great responsibility, especially if you have siblings; we all take care of each other. What if Elliott, or the kid – I hadn’t dreamt up his name yet – needed to, for the first time in his life, become responsible for a life form to fill the gap in his heart?"