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Alien
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Alien (1979)

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User Rating: 8.5/10 (130,115 votes)
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Overview

Director:
Ridley Scott
Writers (WGA):
Dan O'Bannon (story) and
Ronald Shusett (story) ...
(more)
Release Date:
25 May 1979 (USA) more view trailer
Genre:
Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller more
Tagline:
In space no one can hear you scream. more
Plot:
A mining ship, investigating a suspected SOS, lands on a distant planet. The crew discovers some strange creatures and investigates. full summary | full synopsis (warning! may contain spoilers)
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 11 wins & 18 nominations more
User Comments:
Classic tale of terror more

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Directed by
Ridley Scott 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
Dan O'Bannon (story) and
Ronald Shusett (story)

Dan O'Bannon (screenplay)

Produced by
Gordon Carroll .... producer
David Giler .... producer
Walter Hill .... producer
Ivor Powell .... associate producer
Ronald Shusett .... executive producer
 
Original Music by
Jerry Goldsmith 
 
Cinematography by
Derek Vanlint 
 
Film Editing by
David Crowther (director's cut)
Terry Rawlings 
Peter Weatherley 
 
Production Design by
Michael Seymour 
Roger Christian (uncredited)
 
Art Direction by
Roger Christian 
Leslie Dilley  (as Les Dilley)
 
Set Decoration by
Ian Whittaker 
 
Costume Design by
John Mollo 
 
Makeup Department
Pat Hay .... makeup artist
Tommie Manderson .... makeup designer (as Tommy Manderson)
Sarah Monzani .... hair stylist
 
Production Management
Garth Thomas .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Raymond Becket .... assistant director
Steve Harding .... assistant director
Paul Ibbetson .... first assistant director
Bob Jordan .... trainee assistant director
 
Art Department
José María Alarcón .... assistant set decorator
Jonathan Amberston .... assistant art director
Ron Cobb .... concept artist
John Davey .... head painter
Benjamín Fernández .... assistant art director
Chris Foss .... concept artist
Jean Giraud .... concept artist (as Jean 'Moebius' Giraud)
George Gunning .... head carpenter
Dave Jordan .... property master
Dan O'Bannon .... visual design consultant
Jill Quertier .... production buyer
Bert Rodwell .... head plasterer
Bill Welch .... construction manager
Gari Bacon .... props (uncredited)
John Chisholm .... prop man (uncredited)
Stuart Rose .... draughtsman (uncredited)
Keith Short .... sculptor (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Max Bell .... stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Andrew I. King .... sound re-recording mixer: director's cut
Derrick Leather .... production sound mixer
Ray Merrin .... sound re-recording assistant
Bill Rowe .... sound re-recording mixer
Jim Shields .... sound editor
Bryan Tilling .... dialogue editor
 
Special Effects by
Nick Allder .... special effects supervisor
Alan Bryce .... floor effects supervisor (as Allan Bryce)
Clinton Cavers .... alien effects coordinator
Carlo De Marchis .... additional alien mechanics
Roger Dicken .... small alien forms co-designer and maker
H.R. Giger .... alien designer
Guy Hudson .... special effects technician
Brian Johnson .... special effects supervisor
Phil Knowles .... special effects technician
Dennis Lowe .... special effects technician
Roger Nichols .... special effects technician
Carlo Rambaldi .... alien head effects
Neil Swan .... special effects technician
David H. Watkins .... special effects technician (as David Watkins)
Dr. David Watling .... additional alien mechanics
Anton Furst .... special effects (uncredited)
Bob Keen .... modeller (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Denys Ayling .... director of photography: miniature effects
Martin Bower .... supervising model maker: miniature effects
Eddie Butler .... modelmaker
Ray Caple .... matte artist
Shirley Denny .... modelmaker
David Litchfield .... operator: miniature effects
Bernard Lodge .... special graphic effects
Terry Pearce .... focus: miniature effects
Bill Pearson .... supervising model maker: miniature effects
Patti Rodgers .... modelmaker
Peter Voysey .... modelmaker supervisor
Peter Woods .... key grip: miniature effects
Alan Buchan .... visual effects (uncredited)
Rick Cortes .... Inferno artist (2003 director's cut re-release) (uncredited)
Bob Keen .... model maker (uncredited)
Keith Short .... sculptor (uncredited)
Jon Sorensen .... visual effects miniatures (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Eddie Powell .... stunts
Roy Scammell .... stunt coordinator
Monty Jordan .... assistant stunt coordinator (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Adrian Biddle .... camera focus
Colin Davidson .... camera focus
Ray Evans .... gaffer
Bob Penn .... still photographer
Jimmy Walters .... key grip
Wick Finch .... electrician (uncredited)
David Johnson .... second assistant camera (uncredited)
Micky Wilson .... electrician (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Mary Goldberg .... casting: USA
Mary Selway .... casting: UK
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Tiny Nicholls .... wardrobe supervisor
 
Editorial Department
Peter Baldock .... assistant film editor
Peter Culverwell .... assistant film editor
Les Healey .... first assistant editor
Maureen Lyndon .... assistant film editor
Bridget Reiss .... assistant film editor
Brian Q. Kelley .... editor: additional material for special edition (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Robert Hathaway .... music editor (as Bob Hathaway)
Lionel Newman .... conductor
Percy Edwards .... alien vocalizator (uncredited)
Arthur Morton .... orchestrator (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Stanley Bielecki .... advertising and publicity consultant
Lori Covel .... assistant to producers
Valerie Craig .... production assistant
Brian Doyle .... unit publicist
Kay Fenton .... continuity
Bill Finch .... production accountant
Mark Haggard .... production executive
Alice Harmon .... assistant to producers
Dick Hewitt .... electronics and video coordinator
Charles Lippincott .... advertising and publicity consultant
Sandy Molloy .... assistant to director
Saul Bass .... title designer (uncredited)
Robert H. Lemer .... associate to producer (uncredited)
Jake Scott .... stand-in (uncredited)
Philip Sharpe .... effects technician (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete



Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial EffectsOther Companies

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Alien: The Director's Cut (USA) (director's cut)
Star Beast (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for sci-fi violence/gore and language. (director's cut)
Runtime:
117 min | USA:116 min (director's cut)
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby
Certification:
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (director's cut) (2003) | West Germany:16 (f) | Italy:T | Brazil:14 | New Zealand:M (re-release) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) (director's cut) (2003) | New Zealand:R16 (original rating) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) (original rating) | Finland:K-18 (director's cut) (DVD rating) | South Korea:15 (re-rating) (2003) | Portugal:M/16 (DVD rating) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | South Korea:18 (original rating) | Canada:PG (Ontario) (director's cut) (2003) | Canada:18A (Manitoba) (director's cut) (2003) | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:16 | Ireland:18 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 (director's cut) (2003) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Norway:18 | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (director's cut) | UK:18 (video rating) (1987) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:R (certificate #25541)
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Fun Stuff

Trivia:
According to a quote from Veronica Cartwright in a film magazine, in the scene where the alien's tail wraps around her legs, they are actually Harry Dean Stanton's legs, in a shot originally filmed for another scene entirely. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When Dallas is crawling around through the bowels of the Nostromo before he is taken by the alien, you can see a dolly track lining the floor. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Brett: This is the worst shit I've ever seen, man.
Parker: What you say? You got any biscuits over there?
Ripley: Here's some cornbread.
Parker: Cornbread. Yeah.
Lambert: I am cold.
Parker: Still with us, Brett?
Brett: Right.
Kane: Oh, I feel dead.
Parker: Anybody ever tell you you look dead, man?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults (1997) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Excerpts from 'Symphony no. 2 (Romantic)' more

FAQ

Is the Derelict the Predator ship from Alien Vs. Predator?
Did the Company know there was a derelict ship with Aliens in it? How could they have known about it?
Why is Ripley's nose bleeding after confronting Ash with Special Order 937?
more
18 out of 20 people found the following comment useful:-
Classic tale of terror, 15 April 2004
10/10
Author: BroadswordCallinDannyBoy from Boston, MA

This is one of the finest science fiction films ever made. Everything is so carefully and expertly constructed to the point that repeated viewings are just as good as the first. Also, the atmosphere, along with the amazing sets, is real shocker and few movies have managed to create the same kind eerie feeling.

The story starts with the crew of the cargo vessel "Nostromo" waking up before schedule. They soon realize their on-board computer has detected life on a nearby planet and they go to investigate. One of them unwillingly brings back an...ALIEN (!) which soon becomes a very unwanted passenger. The introduction of the title creature in the famous chest-burster scene is a real jolter. Especially if you watch it after dinner.

The music, too, must be mentioned and it moves the story along with unrelenting terror. However, the lack of music, in certain scenes, works just as well and this combination makes for one of the best musical montages to be put on film.

This is a classic film that spawned a series, which is good overall, and a bunch of copycats, many of which are just sad. "Alien" came first and it is easily one the best. 10/10

Rated R: violence/gore and profanity

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Message Boards

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Alien has dropped from IMDB top 50 michaeltaylor10
So, who had the worst death? ugyenpeljor
Most disturbing scene in all of film Professor_Fate_86
A dumb crew is actually more believable and realistic!! yoda9999
Why try to override the self-destruct? NFLFilmsFan
Alien -VS- Aliens adamandthegremlins
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