In this episode Mark talks about one of his favourite films: the 1977 American science fiction film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", written and directed by Steven Spielberg. The premise of the film revolves around the character of Roy Neary (played by Richard Dreyfuss), an electrician from Indiana in the U.S., whose life is changed following an encounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO). Inspired by real life observations and first-hand reports from people who claim to have had "close encounters" with alien spacecraft and extraterrestrials, the film takes the viewer on a journey of discovery as it investigates the possibility of what first contact with beings not of this world may be like. Alongside Richard Dreyfuss, the film also stars Melinda Dillon as Jillian Guiller, Teri Garr as Ronnie Neary, Bob Balaban as David Laughlin, and Francois Truffaut as Claude Lacombe - a French government scientist in charge of UFO-related activities in the U.S. who was inspired by real life UFO expert Jacques Vallée. The film is a fan favourite for lots of people and it's story is one that is captivating and awe-inspiring. The absolutely astounding film score by renowned film composer and long time Steven Spielberg collaborator John Williams is one that resounds long after being heard and is integral to the storytelling of the film in so many fundamental ways.
