Henry Thomas' Tearful 'E.T.' Audition

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Steven Spielberg's classic E.T. the Extra Terrestrial is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and fan nostalgia for the film continues ramping up as Henry Thomas' audition tape has just popped up on YouTube.

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In the clip, Henry, just 10 years old at the time, improvises a scene from the movie based on a premise given to him by Spielberg.

"You've had this creature now for three or four weeks. You've become best friends with it, and now [a man] wants to take that creature away," says Spielberg. "And you're not going to let him."

Needless to say, Thomas knocks it out of the park: real tears, steady pacing and a full arc. The decision was a no brainer, and Spielberg hires him on the spot.

Click the video for more.