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ALIEN Logo

Quick Jump : Background | Storyline | Awards | Crew | Other information

Alien was first released on May 25, 1979.
Alien 'The Directors Cut' was released on September 6th, 2003.

 
    Scripts - 2 scripts for the film.
    Trivia - A large list of trivia.
    Bloopers - A funny list of bloopers for Alien.
    Music - Information on Jerry Goldsmith's score.
    Cut-Scenes - Details on scenes not on the original release.
    Characters - A who's who of the ALIEN cast.
 ALIEN Background
    ALIEN Movie Poster "ALIEN is the first chapter in one of science fiction's most popular and chilling sagas, and introduces Sigourney Weaver as Lt. Ripley, the iron-willed woman destined to battle the galaxy's deadliest creature. The terror begins when the crew of a spaceship investigates a transmission from an isolated planet and makes a horrifying discovery. Ultimately, just one crew memeber is left alive, fighting not only for her survival, but all of mankind's."
     -  ALIEN videocassette. (1997)
Dan O'Bannon originally wrote the science-fiction film "Dark Star" while at the the University of Southern California film school. This film was directed by fellow student John Carpenter. This was then developed into a feature film. His next outing was working on the film ALIEN, then titled "Star Beast" with Ronald Shusett. Walter Hill was originally set to direct ALIEN, on the Dan O'Bannon script. After Hill pulled out, Ridley Scott got the job, and quickly was able to provide his own influence into the project. Swiss surrealist H.R. Giger designed the Alien creature. Even after 30 years from ALIEN's initial release, the film has become a standard of science fiction. This film not only helped to launch the film careers of director Ridley Scott, but also actress Sigourney Weaver. Unique for the time, the film infused a strong heroine in the lead role of a big budget horror/sci-fi film.

 ALIEN Storyline

The spoiler-free storyline:
    Mega-corporation Weyland-Yutani operates the commercial mining spaceship "The Nostromo" which is manned by 7 crew members. Midway through its travel back to earth, it intercepts a radio signal of unknown meaning, from uncharted planet Acheron. Crew members Dalles, Kane, and Lambert go to investigate, they discover an derelict spacecraft, an go inside. Soon after, they quickly return to the Nostromo after having an unexpected meeting with an Alien creature.
    Please watch the film to get the full story!
 ALIEN Awards

Click on the name for the IMDB listing. Ordered by year.

San Sebastián International Film Festival
  • Won "Silver Seashell" :
  •   "Best Cinematography and Special Effects" : Alien

    British Society of Cinematographers (1979)
  • Nominated :
  •   "Best Cinematography Award" : Derek Vanlint

    Academy Awards (1980)
  • Won 'Oscar' for :
  •   "Best Visual Effects" : H.R. Giger, Carlo Rambaldi, Brian Johnson, Nick Allder, Denys Ayling.
  • Nominated :
  •   "Best Art / Set Decoration" : Michael Seymour, Leslie Dilley, Roger Christian, Ian Whittaker.

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (1980)
  • Won 'Saturn' Award for :
  •   "Best Director" : Ridley Scott
    "Best Science Fiction Film" : Alien
    "Best Supporting Actress" : Veronica Cartwright
  • Nominated for :
  •   "Best Actress" : Sigourney Weaver
    "Best Make-up" : Pat Hay
    "Best Supporting Actress" : Brian Johnson, Nick Allder
    "Best Writing" : Dan O'Bannon

    BAFTA Awards (1980)
  • Won 'BAFTA' Film Award for :
  •   "Best Production Design" : Michael Seymour
    "Best Sound Track" : Derrick Leather, Jim Shields, Bill Rowe
  • Nominated for :
  •   "Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music" : Jerry Goldsmith
    "Best Costume Design" : John Mollo
    "Best Editing" : Terry Rawlings
    "Best Supporting Actor" : John Hurt
    "Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Role" : Sigourney Weaver

    Golden Globes, USA (1980)
  • Nominated :
  •   "Best Original Score - Motion Picture" : Jerry Goldsmith

    Grammy Awards (1980)
  • Nominated :
  •   "Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special" : Jerry Goldsmith

    Hugo Award (1980)
  • Won "Hugo" Award :
  •   "Best Dramatic Presentation" : Alien

    National Film Preservation Board, USA (2002)
  • Inducted :
  •   "National Film Registry" : Alien

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (2004)
  • Nominated :
  •   "Best DVD Collection" : "Alien Quadrilogy" DVD set. [Also with Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.]

    DVD Exclusive Awards (2003)
  • Won 'DVDX Award' for :
  •   "Best Audio Commentary (New for DVD)" : Ridley Scott, Ronald Shusett, Terry Rawlings, Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt.
    "Best Overall DVD, Classic Movie (Including All Extra Features)" : "Alien Quadrilogy" DVD set. [Also with Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.] Charles de Lauzirika (Producer)
  • Nominated :
  •   "Best Behind-the-Scenes Program (New for DVD)" : The Beast Within: The Making of 'Alien' (2003) (V) (Alien Quadrilogy DVD Set.) [Also with Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.] Charles de Lauzirika (Producer)
    "Best Menu Design" : Alien Quadrilogy DVD Set. [Also with Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.] Matt Kennedy

    Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards (2004)
  • Won "Sierra Award" :
  •   "Best DVD" : "Alien Quadrilogy" DVD set. [Also with Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.]

    Satellite Awards (2004)
  • Nominated :
  •   "Best DVD Extras" : "Alien Quadrilogy" DVD set. [Also with Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.]
    "Best Overall DVD" : "Alien Quadrilogy" DVD set. [Also with Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.]

     ALIEN Crew

    Copied from the IMDB. Click on the person's name for their listing.
     ALIEN Other Information

    Running Time:
  • 117 minutes (theatrical), 116 minutes (directors cut.)

  • Budget:
  • $11,000,000 (US).

  • Opening Weekend Box Office:
  • $1,023,665 (US) - Directors Cut (2003) 347 screens.

  • Opening Weekend Box Office:
  • $3,527,881 (US) (1979) 91 screens.

  • Total Box Office:
  • $60,150,933 (US) (1979).

  • Total Box Office:
  • $104,000,000 (Non-US).

  • Rentals:
  • $40,300,000 (US).

  • Production Dates:
  • 5 July 1978 - December 1978.

  • Copyright Holder:
  • Twentieth Centry-Fox.

  • Taglines:
  • In space no one can hear you scream.
  • Just one can kill seven.
  • A word of warning...
  • It's Alien, the 8th passenger.
  • The scariest movie ever made... just got scarier. (UK 2003 re-release)
  • In space no one can hear you scream... This Halloween in theatres, everyone will hear you scream (Re-Release)

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