“Alien” is a sci-fi/horror film of 1979 directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O’Bannon. The plot follows the crew of the space freighter Nostromo, who are awakened from cryogenic sleep to respond to a distress call from a nearby planet. As they explore the planet, they find a strange spacecraft and an alien egg that releases a parasite that infects one of the crew members.
The situation quickly spirals out of control when the parasite develops into an extremely dangerous alien creature and the crew find themselves trapped in the spaceship with it. The rest of the film follows the crew’s struggle to survive the alien and try to escape from the spaceship.
The film is known for its claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere, which was created by the direction of Ridley Scott and the use of innovative special effects for the time. Additionally, the design of the alien, created by H.R. Giger, has become an icon of the science fiction genre.
‘Alien’ received strong reception from critics and audiences and spawned several sequels and spin-offs. The film also had a significant impact on science fiction genre and horror, influencing many subsequent works of fiction and film.
Plot
The storyline of “Alien” follows the seven-member crew of the space freighter Nostromo, who are awakened from cryogenic sleep on their journey back to Earth. However, they receive a distress signal from a nearby planet and, following standard procedures, head to the planet to try to render help.
Once they land, a team of three crew goes out to explore the planet, where they discover an alien spacecraft and a string of alien eggs. While exploring, one of the eggs opens and a parasite attaches itself to the face of one of the crew, Kane.
When Kane is brought back aboard the Nostromo for medical treatment, the parasite is revealed to have placed an alien creature inside his body. The creature grows rapidly and proves extremely dangerous, killing one crew member while growing.
The crew tries to kill the alien, but find it to be highly resilient and intelligent, making its elimination extremely difficult. Meanwhile, the alien continues to kill crew members one after another, generating panic and despair.
Movie Characters
Here is a brief presentation of the main characters of the film “Alien”:
Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver): is the crew officer who becomes the main character of the film. Initially a secondary figure, he becomes the focal point of the film as he fights to survive and stop the alien.
Kane (played by John Hurt): He is one of the crew and the first to be infected by the alien. His death is the catalyst for the film’s action.
Dallas (played by Tom Skerritt): is the captain of the Boatswain and leader of the crew. He tries to keep calm during the alien’s emergence, but is eventually killed by the creature.
Ash (played by Ian Holm): is the science officer of the crew and has a mysterious and suspicious behavior during the alien emergency. It is later revealed that he is an android programmed to protect the alien at all costs.
Lambert (played by Veronica Cartwright): She is a crew member and the only woman aboard the Nostromo. She is often shown to be anxious and weak during the alien’s emergence.
Parker (played by Yaphet Kotto): is another crew member and the Nostromo’s mechanic. Become one of the main fighters against the alien together with Ripley.
Brett (played by Harry Dean Stanton): is a crew member and the Nostromo’s technician. He is killed by the alien during his hunt inside the spaceship.
Production
“Alien” is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and produced by Gordon Carroll, David Giler and Walter Hill. The film was produced by 20th Century Fox and had a budget of approximately $11 million.
Director Ridley Scott has cast Swiss designer H.R. Giger to create the design of the alien and its environment, resulting in an iconic and eerie image. The film set was created at Shepperton studios in London, England.
The film’s cast is mostly British actors, including Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Veronica Cartwright, Yaphet Kotto and Harry Dean Stanton.
The film achieved great critical and commercial success, becoming a classic of the genre and spawning several sequels, prequels and spin-offs over the years. His influence also extends beyond the world of cinema, influencing popular culture and the collective imagination.
Distribution and Reception
“Alien” was released in American theaters on May 25, 1979 and had subsequent international release. The film received very positive reception from critics and audiences, becoming a box office success and garnering numerous awards and nominations.
The film grossed over $100 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful films of 1979. Additionally, “Alien” received two Academy Award nominations for Best Editing and Best Special Effects, winning the latter award .
Critics praised the film for its ability to create an eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere, supported by a memorable score by Jerry Goldsmith. Furthermore, the film was praised for its talented cast and convincing performances, especially that of Sigourney Weaver who has become an icon of the genre.
‘Alien’ is regarded as one of the most influential films in the science fiction and horror genres, with a lasting impact on popular culture. It also spawned several sequels and spin-offs, including ‘Aliens’, ‘Alien³’, ‘Alien: The Cloning’ and ‘Prometheus’.
Style
“Alien” is a film that combines elements of science fiction, horror and suspense to create an eerie and claustrophobic cinematic experience. Director Ridley Scott has created a detailed and realistic fantasy world that highlights the importance of environment and object design in science fiction cinema.
The film features dark and gloomy cinematography, with the use of soft lighting and shadows creating an eerie atmosphere. Jerry Goldsmith’s score, with its iconic and atmospheric theme, has become a central element of the film.
The narrative of the film is slow and progressive, with the pace gradually building up to the final climax. The special effects design of the alien, created by H.R. Giger, was considered innovative and surprising, with an organic and biomechanical look that sets him apart from the conventional monsters of cinema.
Overall, “Alien” is a film that has had a significant impact on the history of science fiction and horror cinema, thanks to its visually immersive style and innovative approach to storytelling.
Director
The director of “Alien” is Ridley Scott, born in South Shields, England, in 1937. Scott began his career in advertising, directing successful television commercials in the 60s and 70s. In 1977, he directed his first feature film, “The Duellists,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
After the success of ‘Alien’, Ridley Scott went on to direct hit films, such as ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Thelma & Louise’, ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Gladiator’. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including three Academy Award nominations for Best Director.
Scott is known for his visually striking style, featuring detailed and realistic environments and objects, as well as his ability to create an eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere in his science fiction and horror films.
