Alien 35th anniversary

[DenOfEarth]

It's been 35 years since the film has changed the way of both the sci-fi and horror genres were done.

Sure it was inspired by low budget 50's stuff and EC sci-fi comics but with Dan O'Bannon and Roland Shusset's screenplay, it knows how to chill everyone to the bone.

This movie made Sigourney Weaver a major star and John Hurt was fantastic in the role as one of the ill-fated crew members. The film had 2 unique creepy teasers that played in theaters and TV as it became one of the highest grossing movies of 1979 despite some mixed reviews.

It has the feel of Jaws in space by some people who mentioned it mainly critics as it jolts and thrills spawning a franchise, imitators especially by the Europeans who love to imitate trend-setting hollywood films sometimes, merchandise and all that.

[theprestige85]

Originally Posted by DenOfEarth

It's been 35 years since the film has changed the way of both the sci-fi and horror genres were done.

Sure it was inspired by low budget 50's stuff and EC sci-fi comics but with Dan O'Bannon and Roland Shusset's screenplay, it knows how to chill everyone to the bone.

This movie made Sigourney Weaver a major star and John Hurt was fantastic in the role as one of the ill-fated crew members. The film had 2 unique creepy teasers that played in theaters and TV as it became one of the highest grossing movies of 1979 despite some mixed reviews.

It has the feel of Jaws in space by some people who mentioned it mainly critics as it jolts and thrills spawning a franchise, imitators especially by the Europeans who love to imitate trend-setting hollywood films sometimes, merchandise and all that.

This thread is so timely and fitting as I just watched this on blu ray yesterday without realising that it's the 35th anniversary.

For my money, this film is well ahead of it's time. Honestly, the incredible detailed production and designs are so well realised that it looks like it was shot recently.

Aliens has always been my favourite of the trilogy but last night, this film went up a good few notches from when I last watched it. I still prefer Aliens but this is large scale filmmaking at it's best.

One scene that I really look at with different eyes these days is the scene with the decapitated Ash where he converses with the remaining survivors of the crew and white liquid covering the table. It's such an brilliant scene because Ash really sells the Alien's potential for destruction well. You believe every word he says about it not having weaknesses and it's purity being the best thing about it. It really is a 'perfect organism' in that sense. It's a thrilling scene and one where I really got the feeling that the Alien is unstoppable.

[Dispatch Ninja]

I just watched both of them recently and I prefer alien to aliens by a lot. I still enjoyed aliens too but the first one is a much better made film imo. I did like that they made the android, bishop, in aliens a good character though.

[DenOfEarth]

Who thinks Fox did a great restoration to the film on BD with quality detail and all that?

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by DenOfEarth

Who thinks Fox did a great restoration to the film on BD with quality detail and all that?

The transfer is phenomenal!!! People gripe about color timing, framing but thats all minute crap. Cant imagine it looking much better honestly.

[JeffTheMovieGuy]

The Xenomorph is absolutely the most terrifying creature

[nagysaudio]

Originally Posted by DenOfEarth

Who thinks Fox did a great restoration to the film on BD with quality detail and all that?

Lowry did the transfer and restoration and they are the best period.

[Ray O. Blu]

I still remember seeing the "egg" teaser trailer on TV when I was a kid.
I might have a little bias toward it, seeing as how Alien is still, by far, my favorite Sci-fi/horror film of all time, but I still remember getting chills and being full of amazement every time the trailer came on TV.
The sound editing on the trailer and the whole premise of "In space, no one can hear you scream!" was brilliant. I was SOLD!
Nowadays, movie trailers are simply "mini-versions" of the entire film including spoilers and seem to be just begging you to go see it.

Alien did it right.

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by DenOfEarth

Who thinks Fox did a great restoration to the film on BD with quality detail and all that?

It looks like it was shot yesterday it looks fantastic

[spanky87]

Check out this beautiful custom poster. It was available from an online store called Candy Killer but it's sold out now. I hope there will be more because I love it.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by DenOfEarth

Who thinks Fox did a great restoration to the film on BD with quality detail and all that?

Fox & Lowry did an amazing job on the restoration.

The transfer is extremely pristine and has a nice filmic look to it.

Imo it's reference quality for a catalogue transfer.

Ridley Scott actually approved and signed off the transfer.

[L.J.]

Not to long ago I finished watching all the Alien films. Without a doubt the first one is a classic. I bought the Alien box set the films look great with the transfers.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

This thread is so timely and fitting as I just watched this on blu ray yesterday without realising that it's the 35th anniversary.

For my money, this film is well ahead of it's time. Honestly, the incredible detailed production and designs are so well realised that it looks like it was shot recently.

Aliens has always been my favourite of the trilogy but last night, this film went up a good few notches from when I last watched it. I still prefer Aliens but this is large scale filmmaking at it's best.

One scene that I really look at with different eyes these days is the scene with the decapitated Ash where he converses with the remaining survivors of the crew and white liquid covering the table. It's such an brilliant scene because Ash really sells the Alien's potential for destruction well. You believe every word he says about it not having weaknesses and it's purity being the best thing about it. It really is a 'perfect organism' in that sense. It's a thrilling scene and one where I really got the feeling that the Alien is unstoppable.

Trilogy? Ripley alone is in 4 films. All together, there are 6 (or 7 if counting Prometheus; I do).

[stvn1974]

I saw Alien on VHS after seeing Aliens in the theater when I was 10 or 11. My parents took me and my brother and we loved it so much that we rented Alien. I remember not enjoying it because it was so slow compared to Aliens. Now it is one of my favorite films of all time.

[Astro Zombie]

Love Alien (and Aliens), one of my favorite sci-fi films. I should probably watch it sometime this year

[crow2k5]

Alien was the 1st horror film i seen in the theater, i didn't want to go see it, little did i know that this movie would start me into a love with horror films. Thank You Alien, Happy 35th

[Nick666]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

For my money, this film is well ahead of it's time.

I first saw the movie on our local TV station in 1995 as a kid, I was 10 years old. Several years ago, when I started becoming more interested in movies, I searched imdb to find out what year they made it, I thought it was 1990 or something like that, my jaw dropped when I saw 1979.

[DenOfEarth]

Originally Posted by Brightstar

It looks like it was shot yesterday it looks fantastic

That is what i was thinking once i saw the movie on BD as Scott did supervised the restoration and approved of it.

Almost Criterion quality there.

[swaseem]

Never ceases to amaze me. I still quiver back to when i first saw the creature's tail climb up veronica cartwright's leg, on some tv spot on ABC way way back. I was only seven then. Here's to the next 35 years and counting.

[aiman04]

I was so scared to even watch this the first time, I was 7 I think. The chest bursting scene gave me nightmares. But in time I can then watch it and appreciate it, but (sorry not on topic) The Thing still got me nervous to watch it even now as an adult. Both these films (and The Exorcist) are the scariest films ever for me.