Close Encounters of the Third Kind Analysis

“Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, renowned sci-fi movie by Steven Spielberg, displays more than just eye candy visuals, and special effects. Upon closer inspection, the plot represents various elements of Fascist ideologies throughout the story-line.

Fascism refers to the idea of a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing any opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce ,etc., emphasizing an aggressive nationalism. The narrative is structured as if to make a unified fascist statement. The first part of the movie offers a fascist analysis of U.S. problems. The second part serves as a conclusion to the themes of the first part, which provides a fascist solution.

For instance, we can start taking a look from the beginning of the movie to search for elements representing that of a Nazi regime-Germany. Spielberg’s depiction of the US in the portrayal of the main character, Roy Neary, prominently echoes Nazi themes. He establishes the notion that people in charge of things are corrupt and unresponsive, and the proper response to them is suspicion. In the movie, we see how political, military, scientific, and media authorities were conspiring to keep the truth about the UFOs' existence from the people. For example, the film has the ABC Evening News telling lies, which aid the government in denying any knowledge of the aliens. Given the message of the climactic scene, this conspiracy means that established authorities are preventing the general population from discovering the key to deliverance from their alienating society. In Germany, after the loss at World War I, Hitler used propaganda and a speeches to manipulate people by blaming "Weimar officials," accusing them of treason in leading Germany to defeat and preventing the salvation of the German folk. Close Encounters decries U.S. officialdom for hiding UFO salvation from us.

Another aspect that is prominent in the movie is the nostalgic reference to past days of glory. It is common in a fascist regime to reminisce about the times when the country was once in great standing. This is another technique Hitler uses to change people’s views. In his speeches, he would almost always bring up nostalgic references of the country’s bright past, urging the people to accept his control to bring back that stability-the solution. In most other movies of that time period, the problem was represented by fascist Germany, whereas the solution was a capitalist US. Spielberg’s movie does the opposite as the problem seems to be capitalism, and the solution, fascism. A nostalgia for happy past days is pictured most explicitly in the fate of Roy's home life. Roy has furnished his suburban tract home with tacky, fake antique furniture. When Roy's obsession with the aliens' message reaches its peak, he nearly wrecks the house in order to provide material to build a large model of the shape (Devil's Tower) he can't get out of his mind. In the process, he drives his typically suburban housewife and kids out of the house for good, as his generally overweight neighbors passively look on. The scene graphically symbolizes destruction of our current soft, characterless lifestyle in the service of reaching the new order the aliens promise. The destruction is justified in the final scenes, for Roy leaves with aliens for new worlds with barely a thought for his wrecked house or shattered family

There are also very many symbols scattered here and there throughout the movie which further solidify the claim that it represents a fascist regime:-

● The fact that only darker primitive villagers from India were shown, who appeared to be unable to decipher the message left by the aliens depicts racism amongst the fascist

nations. Also, note that there were no black characters portraying a high rank position like of a senate.

This is contrasted with-● Jillian’s son, the blond, blue eyed boy who symbolizes purity and youth—the only one to

see the aliens before the climax

● During the alien exchange scene, one of the aliens showed a symbol very similar to Heil Hitler “nazi” symbol

● The last scene where the aliens and humans connect with the use of music represents the speeches that Hitler gave to his audience. It is clear that the humans are the “people” and the aliens represent the fascist ideologies. The whole performance was awe-inspiring, and caught everyone’s attention, representing the style of Hitler’s speeches

● Also, at the end, the main character, with whom we have been encouraged to identify, submits eagerly. Roy goes aboard the ship of the aliens, even though they had given him no reason to trust them—except for their demonstration of miraculous powers

Thus, I believe that all these factors account to connection of the plot to a representation of a fascist regime.