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[sphinx]

Steven Spielberg had been auditioning hundreds of boy for the leading role of E.T, the role of Elliot, back in 1981, but couldn't find the right kid.

A friend of Spielberg suggested Henry Thomas, a 10 year old boy from San Antonio TX with some film experience, for the role, so he auditioned him.

Watch his audition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA5giyG8E7g

At the start of the video, it's Spielberg explaining him what's happening in the scene he's about to enact

I'll post the thread and I'll prepare and type my opinion while you guys go watch.

(by the way ET is a 1982 film but the audition took place the year thereafter, 1981)

 

[RobbieNick]

I've sen this before. Hired the boy on the spot.

 

[~Kinggi~]

'Ok kid, you got the job!'

damn that was good. Kid cried on cue.

 

[crisdecuba]

Damn it I'm tearing up a bit just watching him.

 

[sphinx]

it's absolutely out of this world.

he goes well beyond crying on cue.... the inflections of the voice, the small movements in his face, real tears that flow and move, and yet he's not having a complete meltdown, it's just in that sweet spot in which he you looks very affected but he can continue the conversation.

but most importantly, the emotion put in there... we the viewers know perfectly well it's an audition, there's no context, no other actors supporting his performance, there's absolutely nothing to help, it's just there "proving" he can act... and I was about to tear up when he said he doesn't care what the president says.

unbelievable acting talent, I have no words.

it was so real, that it was kind of unsettling at the very end when he turns and smiles after hearing he got the job, like two different boys.

 

[bionic77]

The way that kid just turns that on is pretty amazing.

 

[Khalifa Jayy]

Insanely good.

 

[captjohnboyd]

I did some acting when I was younger. Commercials and the like and I had a screen test with Tim Robbins for dead man walking between me and only one other kid to play Sean Penns younger brother (unfortunately I lost out) but I could never understand how people cried on cue until I got much older.

Now with some real work and inner dialogue I can shed some small tears but it's still insanely hard. Seeing people like him do it so effectively with such ease is really amazing. It's hard work and this kid just made most working actors today look like amateurs lol. Wonderful movie and I've continued to like him as an actor even after all these years

 

[Spoo]

This is pretty awesome, actually. Are there any more auditions as good as this one that people have?