Along with watching the film tonight I also watched a few of the extra features which included interviews with the late writer Richard Matheson and director Steven Spielberg. It was Spielberg’s first movie (prior to this, he’d only directed various TV episodes) though this was a made for TV movie. Because of the positive response to this film it allowed hm to direct his first full length theatrical release, “Sugarland Express” and then eventually, “Jaws”.

If Youtube allows it to play, here’s the original 1971 trailer: