Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O'Bannon. It is based on a story by O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett and follows the crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo, who, after coming across a mysterious derelict spaceship on an uncharted planetoid, find themselves up against an aggressive and deadly extraterrestrial set loose on the Nostromo. The film is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential science fiction and horror films of all time. In 2002, it was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
The film was shot over 14 weeks from July 5 to October 21, 1978, with principal photography taking place at Shepperton Studios near London and model and miniature filming done at Bray Studios in Water Oakley, Berkshire. The production schedule was short due to the film's low budget and pressure from 20th Century Fox to finish on time. "Alien" has been released in various home video formats and packages over the years, starting with a 17-minute Super-8 version for home projectionists.
The film's success led to the creation of a franchise, with sequels, prequels, and spin-offs being produced. The original Alien film is often praised for its direction by Ridley Scott, strong script, evocative score by Jerry Goldsmith, brilliant design and special effects, and outstanding performances. Many people consider it to be the best movie in the series, although some prefer James Cameron's action-oriented sequel, Aliens.
Cast
- Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, the warrant officer and the sole survivor of the Nostromo.
- Tom Skerritt as Arthur Dallas, the captain of the Nostromo.
- Ian Holm as Ash, the ship's science officer who is revealed to be an android.
- John Hurt as Gilbert Kane, the executive officer who becomes the host of the alien creature.
- Veronica Cartwright as Joan Lambert, the Nostromo's navigator.
- Harry Dean Stanton as Samuel Brett, the engineering technician.
- Yaphet Kotto as Dennis Parker, the ship's engineering technician.
- Bolaji Badejo as the Alien, the primary antagonist of the film.
- Helen Horton as the voice of Mother, the Nostromo's computer system.
The film's cast was praised for its selection of character actors rather than established stars, which added to the suspense and uncertainty of who would survive. Sigourney Weaver, in particular, became an icon for her role as Ripley, although she was relatively unknown at the time of the film's release.
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Dan O'Bannon
Box Office Gross: $106,285,522
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox
Release Date: May 25, 1979