A Steven Spielberg film has been named the greatest in history in a new poll.

The director’s 1982 children’s classic, ET The Extra-Terrestrial, beat The Wizard Of Oz and Mary Poppins to the top spot of the Radio Times survey. More than 2,500 people voted in the poll.

The Oscar-winning film tells the story a friendly alien on a mission to return home. It was a critical and financial success and has been rereleased twice.

Actress Drew Barrymore shot to fame for her role as one of the children ET befriended.

Mr Spielberg has described the film as “a simple and pure love story".

In June Forbes magazine ranked the filmmaker, who also directed the Oscar winning film version of Schindler’s List, 22nd on its annual celebrity list.