Independence Day Domestic LD LaserDisc July 2nd, two days before American Independence Day. Suddenly, giant unidentified flying objects appear around the world, covering the sky. Their true identity is alien spacecraft carriers. As the ground falls into chaos, the American president, a former fighter pilot, attempts to make contact with the aliens, but fails. It is revealed that their purpose is to conquer Earth. And so, a fierce battle for the survival of humanity begins. "Independence Day" is a 1996 American science fiction film. Directed by Roland Emmerich, it was produced by Centropolis Entertainment and distributed by 20th Century Fox. Director: Roland Emmerich Screenplay: Dean Devlin Roland Emmerich Produced by: Dean Devlin Executive Producers: Roland Emmerich Ute Emmerich William Fay Starring: Will Smith Bill Pullman Jeff Goldblum Judd Hirsch Margaret Colin Randy Quaid Robert Loggia James Rebhorn Harvey Fierstein Music by: David Arnold Cinematography: Karl Walter Lindenlaub Edited by: David Brenner Production Company: Centropolis Entertainment Distribution: 20th Century Fox Release Date: United States: July 2, 1996 Japan: December 7, 1996 Running Time: 145 minutes 154 minutes (Extended Edition)