Original model used in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ sells for $2.5 million

By Dean Murray via SWNS

The original model used in Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi classic 1982 film E.T. sold for $2,560,000 on Sunday, December 18.

Pre-dating modern CGI technology and effects, the one-of-a-kind prop, constructed in 1981, features 85 points of movement and is regarded as an engineering masterpiece.

It was originally created by Italian special effects designer Carlo Rambaldi, who was known for his work on "Alien" (1979) and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977).

The "Mechatronic" filming model was operated by 12 professional animators, all supervised and coordinated by Rambaldi.

Its fully mechanical movements include facial expressions, nose, eyes, mouth, lids movement, neck movement, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, chest and abdomen rotations, via a combination of cables connected to electronic apparatus and mechanical elements.

Also under the hammer at Julien's Auctions sale in Beverly Hills was the original E.T. maquette model made for Steven Spielberg to approve the E.T. design, which made $125,000.

The plaster model was shown to the director during the pre-production phase of the film.

All the physical proportions, color, and somatic traits were approved by the Spielberg, who gave the green light to begin real size construction.