Rent Alien (1979)

4.4 of 5 from 502 ratings
1h 52min
Rent Alien Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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  • Available formats
Synopsis:
"Alien" is the first movie of one of the most popular sagas in science fiction history, and introduces Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, the iron-willed woman destined to battle the galaxy's ultimate creature. The terror begin when the crew of the spaceship Nostromo investigates a transmission from a desolate planet and makes a horrifying discovery - a life form that breeds within a human host. Now the crew must fight now only for its survival, but for the survival of all mankind.
Actors:
, , , , , , , Bolaji Badejo, ,
Directors:
Producers:
Gordon Carroll, David Giler, Walter Hill
Voiced By:
Helen Horton
Writers:
Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Others:
Denys Ayling, Nick Allder, H.R. Giger, Brian Johnson, Carlo Rambaldi, John Mollo, Ian Whittaker, Roger Christian, Jerry Goldsmith, Jim Shields, Bill Rowe, Terry Rawlings, Michael Seymour, Derrick Leather, Les Dilley
Studio:
20th Century Fox
Genres:
Classics, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Thrillers
Collections:
10 Films to Watch if You Like Blade Runner, A Brief History of Archaeology on Screen: Part 2, Award Winners, Films & TV by topic, Films That Go Bump in the Night: Mischief Night, Films to Watch If You Like..., Giant Leap for Mankind: A History of Astronaut Films, Holidays Film Collection, inema Paradiso's 2023 Centenary Club: Part 2, The Biggest Oscar Snubs: Part 1, The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Satyajit Ray, The Instant Expert's Guide to: Mel Brooks, The Instant Expert's Guide to: Ridley Scott, Top 10 Films By Year, Top 10 Films of 1979, Top 10 Stephen King Films, Top 100 AFI Thrills, Top Films
Awards:

1980 BAFTA Best Production Design

1980 BAFTA Best Sound

1980 Oscar Best Visual Effects

BBFC:
Release Date:
15/05/2000
Run Time:
112 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
Czech, Danish, Dutch, English Hard of Hearing, Finnish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.35:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Original Theatrical Trailers
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Out-takes
  • Commentary by Ridley Scott
  • Artwork & Photo Galleries
  • Isolated Original Score
  • Alternate Music Track
  • Interactive Menus
  • Deleted Scenes
BBFC:
Release Date:
25/10/2010
Run Time:
116 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 2.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.35:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Includes original version and director's cut
  • Audio Commentaries
  • Final theatrical Isolated Score
  • Composoer's Original Isolated Score
  • Deleted Scenes
  • MU-TH-UR Mode Interactive Experience
Disc 1:
This disc includes main feature
Disc 2:
This disc includes the following special feature:
- Making the Alien Anthology
Disc 3:
This disc includes the following special feature:
- Alien Anthology Archives
BBFC:
Release Date:
22/04/2019
Run Time:
116 minutes
Languages:
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.40:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Includes the 1979 Theatrical Version and 2003 Director's Cut!
  • Audio Commentary by Director Ridley Scott, Cast and Crew
  • Audio Commentary by Ridley Scott
  • Final Theatrical Isolated Score by Jerry Goldsmith
  • Composer's Original Isolated Score by Jerry Goldsmith
  • Deleted and Extended Scenes

More like Alien

Reviews (5) of Alien

Intense, claustrophobic atmosphere of tension, unease and menace - Alien review by RP

Spoiler Alert
19/06/2015

Superb 1970s sci-fi film, never bettered. Despite its reputation, this is not a horror film – there is very little on-screen blood and gore with the sole exception of *that* scene. This film made the reputations of both Sigourney Weaver and director Ridley Scott. Scott went on to make (among other superb films) 'Blade Runner' and the less-appreciated 'Black Rain', both of which use similar stylish dark and brooding visual surroundings shown here.

'Alien' immerses the viewer in an intense, claustrophobic atmosphere of tension, unease and menace which never lets up until the very end. Highly recommended - 5/5 stars

3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.

Still the standard by which all of this genre are measured by - Alien review by JD

Spoiler Alert
03/12/2021

By modern standards there is on first glance a lot going against this film today. Not least the extremely slow build up.

However it must be remembered this is the original. A film that spawned countless imitators and copies. Of which only one, the sequel can stand as its equal.

When you consider OBannon and Giger had a massive part to play in the success of this film it says a lot that its Scott who gets the glory. And thats because his direction is utterly masterful.

This film is held together with aerospace grade glue and is near flawless in its execution. And that slow start i mention, like the sequel this is to build the universe and the characters and its done in a way i think few people fully understand or appreciate. Indeed, rumour has it the story of the film is summarised in the opening sequence.

Acting is superb and we have of course Sigourney Weaver acting every bit as well as her character is written.

A fully deserved 5 stars for this one. One of the greatest films ever made and worth watching today more than ever to remove the foul taste of todays garbage from your eyes and ears.

Like its sequel this film is as near flawless as they come.

Oh, it has an alien in and is set in space.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Review of 4K Blu ray - Alien review by MM

Spoiler Alert
19/04/2022

I won't focus on the story of the film which I quite agree changed cinematic history. (I attended the preview of its first night. i will never forget it) I'll concentrate on the $k remastering

Content

The Blu ray 4K contains 2 versions of the film and two commentaries, both are worth listening to. There are also 2 film score tracks. the film made interesting watching listening only to the score which actually works well. There are also so brief deleted scenes , which honestly are so short they are not worth mentioning and were honestly disappointing.

4K Film quality

The film has been remastered 4K in HDR10. This means black is truly black! What this means is that there is a lot more visible in the film than before. Corridors stretch into far distance, giving a much greater impact to the interior visuals. there is more to see on each frame than previous versions which seemed largely black ! The remaster if from film and there is a lack of sharpness because of it so I'd probably say the sharpness is not greater than non 4K.

Sound

The sound is Dolby digital 5.1 remember that the original film was only Dolby surround so what we have is largly a remix to 5.1 which does the job.

Conclusion

This groundbreaking film has been lovingly remastered for a new generation. The film has not aged a day. the 4K is probably not much better than 2K because it is a film transfer but the high contrast gives it a whole new feel. It is a masterpiece. this disk is only worth watching if you have a HDR screen or a fan of the commentaries of film score.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

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