Alien

1979- Directed by Ridley Scott

Runtime - 116 min (director's cut)

When you’re 11.…. Everyone can hear you scream………

In the summer of 1979 my friend David and I hopped on an eastbound bus to a local theatre where Dave’s brother worked. We bought tickets (Blazing Saddles- Remember, it was 1979!) and were discreetly escorted to our seats with the help of Dave’s older brother. We sat in the back giddy, and full of anticipation.

We were going to see Alien!

117 minutes later the giddy was but a memory. I distinctly remember walking the 7 km’s home (Dave opted for the bus.) in full daylight, sweating, scared out of my wits.

So began my love-hate relationship with Ridley Scots classic ‘Alien’.

Fast forward 25 years and this movie still has the capability to haunt me. Albeit the experience is more visceral than craven.

From the opening frames, with it’s hieroglyphic-like credits and haunting score complete with insect clicks and murmurs, it establishes an atmosphere of un-easyness that never subsides.

Weaver's breakout performance, combined with the brilliantly original designs of then unknown Hans Rudy Giger (without whom this film may have been destined for mediocrity) produced a cinematic classic that has stood the test of time. Spawning increasingly dismal sequels but defying the stigma of remake. "Alien" being a much more cerebral movie than its sequels, it remains testament to filmmakers craft of a bygone era.

Scott’s bold, uncompromising attitude at the helm of the project defied conventional filmmaking and traditional thinking of the era. (In my mind this is when the woman’s movement began.)

Moody sets and largely restrained performances give Alien a gritty wake up call to many an idyllic futurist. Trends that we see today, hark all to loudly to a future imperfect.

Child actress Cartwright and British thespian Holm provide performances of studied, well-defined characters. Where Kotto and Stanton, as the surly labourers, seem almost improvisational. Giving a ‘blue collar in space’ or ‘truckers in space’ feel that writer O‘Bannon intended.

Alien is a slow burner, building tension and characterization as it plods along giving us remarkably few details and only glimpses of a unique and truly horrific creature. These elements are sometimes lost on today’s hyper-road rage, T3 line, viewing audience.

Comic relief could almost come a cross as unseemly. (e.g. The character of Hudson in Aliens) Belaying the serious plight of these 7 doomed astronauts. ( Not to mention having your sense of disbelief bust a leaf spring)

The Directors cut has introduced additional footage integrated into the film. Most notably the much rumoured death scene of Capt. Dallas. And a magnificent shot of a seemingly sessile Alien as it views a oblivious Harry Dean Stanton. However these additions do detract to the pacing of the finished product making the 1979 theatrical release (Sharpened to perfection without any annoying “digital” fixes and a DTS soundtrack to boot) a far better choice.

If you manage to see Alien in it’s theatrical re-release you know few films benefit from being in the seclusion of a darkened movie theatre. Where there is no escape, and everyone can hear you scream!

5 Dicks up! (Out of five)

FD

Go to the movies………

TheFlickDick@hotmail.com