Posting-Frequency: approx. every month Archive-name: movies/alien-faq/part1 Version: 2.1 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& & & & ALIEN, ALIENS and ALIEN^3 & & & & Information and Frequently Asked Questions & & & & Version 2.1 & & & & PART 1 of 4 & & & &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& A word about the information provided in this FAQ (paraphrased from earlier editions): The contents of this FAQ are not "carved in stone" so if you have proof to support or deny anything that is stated, don't hesitate to say so. This FAQ is continually updated from the mail I get and the news I read in the newsgroups listed below. This FAQ was founded about two years ago by Daryll Hobson, who gave me the pleasure of taking care of it from now on. If there are any lacks of information in this FAQ, please send your contribution to me. Have a nice read... -Eelko de Vos ( Vos@Dutiws.TWI.TUDelft.NL I'm here! ) And now a small word from the originator of this FAQ... With the exceptions of my own contributions, this FAQ has been assembled by the material supplied to me through Email and public-access messages that I've scavenged off the internet. Information that is contributed is often paraphrased and combined with existing (other users') info. Needless to say, it's impossible to give everybody their rightful line of credit, so a general "Thank you" goes out to all who've contributed to this FAQ and made it what it is. (you know who you are) - Darryll Hobson This FAQ will be posted about every month to: alt.cult-movies rec.arts.sf.movies rec.arts.movies It _might_ also available by anonymous FTP (here's what you do): ftp rtfm.mit.edu cd /pub/usenet/news.answers/movies/alien-faq mget part* quit You can also get it by going to the Alien homepage through Mosaic or lynx. It's right here: Alien homepage Then go through the 'All info about the Alien sequels' link. You will see all parts there. There are a lot of pictures and sounds there, including the script of Alien. The other scripts will be added soon. WARNING: This FAQ contains spoilers. WARNING: Anyone who complains about the posting of this LARGE document to the Internet or offers me bizzarre, strange, and complicated alternatives to "posting" will be [cordially] ignored. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS PART 1: How do I contribute to this FAQ?........................................0 Movie synopsis..........................................................1 What do we know about the Alien species?................................2 Who is [character/director]?............................................3 Which scenes were "cut"?................................................4 What different versions of each movie are there?........................5 Merchandise.............................................................6 PART 2: Memorable quotes........................................................7 Technical problems......................................................8 Trivia..................................................................9 Plot problems and loopholes.............................................10 Frequently asked questions..............................................11 PART 3: Frequently discussed topics.............................................12 Movie viewing rituals...................................................13 Where can I get Gibson's ALIEN^3 script?................................14 PART 4: Some lifeform-deductions from the movies................................15 Revision history........................................................16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0. HOW DO I CONTRIBUTE TO THIS FAQ? To ensure accuracy, this FAQ has a few ground rules. The only canonical sources are interviews with the creators, the theatrical version of _ALIEN_, the director's cut (or theatrical version) of _ALIENS_ and the theatrical version of _ALIEN^3_. All other sources (ie: books, comics, toys, games, etc...) are generally considered speculative. This does not mean that any information outside of the listed movies is not welcome here. Alot of the "speculative" information is used in discussions or for giving "possible" answers to questions that cannot be answered by events that occur in the movies. If you would like to contribute to this FAQ, TRY and follow this guideline: - include references where necessary. If you're referring to a book, it's often a good idea to include the title of the book and Author's name as it would appear on the book (ie: " Alan Dean Foster " instead of " Foster ") - DON'T be too wordy with your information as I'll be forced to paraphrase it (the document is rather large). - DON'T send stuff like "I really liked ALIENS" because it's OPINION and it's not FACT and it doesn't belong in this document. - if you wish to update/add to something already in the FAQ, please do so. Some of this information could easily be elaborated upon [especially the comments that are enclosed in square brackets]. - it's preferable if you make your contribution through Email as this FAQ can get posted to a newsgroup that I don't read and your efforts will be wasted. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. MOVIE SYNOPSIS * Note: the purpose of this section is to quote what's on the back of the movie boxes (right or wrong). _ALIEN_ (Color, 1979, Rated R, Shot in Panavision (2.35:1)) In deep outer space the crew of a commercial spaceship make an unscheduled landing on a barren and desolate planet for engine repairs. They encounter a pulsating organism which attaches itself to one of the crew members and reproduces within his body to become the deadly ALIEN. As each of the crew members is slain by the creature - one by one - the final confrontation between the last surviving crew member and the Alien culminates in an explosive conclusion. 116 minutes. [quoted from the 1984 CBS/FOX Video release] _ALIENS_ (Color, 1986, Rated R, Shot flat (1.87:1)) Sigourney Weaver returns as Ripley, the only survivor from mankind's first encounter with the Alien. Her account of the Alien and the fate of her crew is received with skepticism - until transmissions from space colonists who have since settled on the Alien's planet abruptly stop. Determined to end the recurring nightmares of her terrifying ordeal and to completely exterminate the deadly creature, Ripley joins a team of high-tech combat vets sent to investigate the disappearance of the space colonists! Approx. 138 Minutes. [quoted from the 1992 CBS/FOX Video release] _ALIEN^3_ (Color, 1992, Rated R, Shot in Panavision (2.35:1)) In _ALIEN^3_, Ripley finds herself an unwelcome guest on Fiorina 161, a lice-infested planet in a distant solar system, when the EEV she's travelling on malfunctions and crashes. Fiorina -- or "Fury" -- 161 is inhabited by a small community of violent criminals who discovered religion and stayed behind when their prison facility was evacuated. As a woman, Ripley is the ultimate outcast; her presence causes conflicts that endanger the pracarious balance of power on the planet, threatening to turn the reformed members of the monastic community back into killers. There is, however, an even more dangerous visitor to Fury 161 -- a stowaway alien who threatens not only the inhabitants of this planet but of the entire universe. Faced with extinction, the prisoners band together under Ripley's leadership and, despite a lack of advanced technology and modern weapons, battle the creature for the very future of mankind. [quoted from the 1992 CBS/FOX laserdisc release] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE ALIEN SPECIES? This section discusses what we know about the Alien life-form; it is entirely based on facts that are provided to us in each of the movies. * Note: nothing in any of the canonical sources indicates that aliens use the DNA of their hosts to help adapt to their environment. * Note: the phrase "acid for blood" is accepted in this section as a convenient way of describing the corrosive liquid that comes out of the aliens/face-huggers when they are shot/cut/mutilated. Eggs - eggs are initially created inside a queen alien and enter the world (after being queued in her extended abdomen) via slimey tube to stand on their own (indicating that there is a definite "up" side and "down" side to the egg). The egg itself is a leathery object [...it's full of leathery- objects; like eggs or something... Kane (Alien)], translucent and approximately 2.5 feet tall. According to a scene that was cut from _ALIEN_ these eggs could also be "constructed" by a regular alien "infecting" an organism (which would undergo some sort of metamorphosis) however, this concept was not supported (nor denied) in _ALIENS_ and _ALIEN^3_. It is important to note that this method was the originally intended method of the designer of the Alien, H.R. Giger. _ALIEN^3_ eggs - the egg in _ALIEN^3_ was smaller than we had previously seen and it was more bulbous. Face-huggers - hibernating inside one of these eggs is a parasite, commonly refered to as a face-hugger. When a viable host is brought near a closed egg (either by curiosity, or being cocooned and held in place) it triggers the "contents" of the egg to come to life. The egg opens and the face-hugger launches out at the organism and attaches itself by wrapping a long "tail" around its victim's neck and using long spider-like legs (like a spider, the face-hugger has 8 legs) to firmly grip the organism's head. The face-hugger controls the amount of oxygen its host receives and puts the victim in a comatose state while it reaches down the host's throat and lays an egg. In order to ensure that the job can be completed with little outside interference, the face-hugger has concentrated acid for "blood" (a possible self defense mechanism) and can strangle its host with its tail [...it's not coming off without tearing his face off with it. Dallas (Alien)] After the egg is planted in the victim's body, the face-hugger leaves the host (who will soon re-gain conciousness and have no recollection of the implantation) and dies. [...he's got an outer layer of protein poly-saccarides, has a funny habit of shedding his cells and replacing them with polarized silicon which gives him a longer resistance to adverse environmental conditions. Ash (Alien)] Chest-burster - the alien begins its life by bursting from the chest of its host. At this stage in its development it has a small cranium, tan-colored skin and is susceptable to fire. _ALIENS_ chestburster - Unlike the one in _ALIEN_ this chestburster had arms. _ALIEN^3_ chestburster - This chestburster was different from the ones in _ALIEN_ and _ALIENS_; it was more "mature looking" immediately after its birth. Specifically, unlike the chestbursters of the previous movies, this one had legs. Alien - As the chest-burster matures, it sheds its skin (similar to a snake), its cranium becomes elongated and it has a hard, dark (black/green) outer shell (exo-skeleton). The mature alien has concentrated acid for "blood" and a higher tolerance to fire. As indicated in _ALIENS_ the alien creature does not "show up" on infra-red scanners which would indicate that it does not emit heat. One distinguishing feature of the alien is that it has two mouths, one inside the other. According to H.R. Giger, the inner mouth is in fact the alien's "tongue" (it is such a vicious creature that even its tongue is dangerous). Another interesting feature of the alien is that it does not have (what we would perceive to be) "eyes". _ALIENS_ alien - these aliens only had 3 fingers as opposed to the 6 fingered creature in _ALIEN_. Aliens in this movie had a "ribbed" cranium unlike the smooth cranium of _ALIEN_. _ALIEN^3_ alien - This alien is different than the previous ones we've seen; it tends to move around on all fours at times and ensures that the unborn queen alien is kept safe. There are a few speculations as to why this alien is different; refer to section [13] frequently discussed topics. The Queen Alien - little is known about her. From _ALIEN^3_ we know that a queen alien can be born in the same way as a regular alien. Some things that we do know about the queen: she has a much larger cranium than the usual alien and is slightly taller (approx 2-3 feet). The queen has the ability to create and lay eggs (through the use of the extended abdomen) and she has the ability to survive without the extended abdomen (for an unknown amount of time). For more information, consult the last document of the FAQ, a document written by a molecular biologist called 'HiveQueen'. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. WHO IS [CHARACTER/DIRECTOR] ? If you seek further information about the cast or creators listed below, check out the rec.arts.movies movie database package which is available via anonymous FTP to boulder.colorado.edu in the pub/tv+movies/lists directory. _ALIEN_ Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Dan O'Bannon Composer: Jerry Goldsmith Director of Photography: Derek Vanlint Designer: H.R.Giger (Hans Rudi Giger. Giger pronounced rhyming with "eager") Cast: Ellen Ripley [Sigourney Weaver]: Warrant Officer J. Lambert [Veronica Cartwright]: Navigator. Ash [Ian Holm]: Science officer, an android. Parker [Yaphet Kotto]: Chief engineer. G. E. Kane [John Hurt]: Executive officer; the alien bursts from his chest. (In the novel, his first name is "Thomas") S. E. Brett [Harry Dean Stanton]: Engineering technician. A. Dallas [Tom Skerritt]: Captain. Alien [Bolaji Bodejo] Mother [Helen Horton]: voice of the Nostromo computer. _ALIENS_ Director: James Cameron Writers: James Cameron, David Giler (story), Walter Hill (story) Composer: James Horner Director of Photography: Adrian Biddle Cast: Ellen Ripley [Sigourney Weaver]: Cargo loader, gets assigned (by choice) as an advisor for the mission to LV-426. Sergeant A. Apone [Al Matthews]: sergeant, ground commander. Corporal Dwayne Hicks [Michael Biehn]: only soldier that survived. Private W. Hudson [Bill Paxton]: "Game over man! Game over!" Private J. Vasquez [Jenette Goldstein]: uses a smart gun. Woman. Private M. Drake [Mark Rolston]: uses a smart gun. Corporal C. Ferro [Colette Hiller]: dropship pilot (wears sunglasses). Private D. Spunkmeyer [Daniel Kash]: dropship co-pilot and cargo loader. L. Bishop [Lance Henriksen]: Android; science officer. Carter J. Burke [Paul Reiser]: Company advisor. Private R. Frost [Ricco Ross]: Hated the corn bread. Private T. Crowe [Tip Tipping] Corporal C. Dietrich [Cynthia Scott]: Medic. Lieutenant S. Gorman [William Hope]: Controls the marines from the APC. Private T. Wierzbowski [Trevor Steedman] Rebecca Jorden [Carrie Henn]: Newt. _ALIEN^3_ Director: David Fincher Writers: Larry Ferguson, David Giler, Walter Hill, Vincent Ward (story) Composer: Elliot Goldentha l Director of Photography: Alex Thomson Cast: Ellen Ripley [Sigourney Weaver]: sole survivor of the Sulaco, shaves her head, carries the next alien queen embryo in her body. Bishop II [Lance Henriksen]: android and (in a different roll) the designer of the android or another android (looking like Bishop). Clemens [Charles Dance]: the doctor. Golic [Paul McGann]: in the infirmary, wearing the straitjacket. Dillon [Charles S. Dutton]: the religious leader. Andrews [Brian Glover]: superintendant Newt [Danielle Edmond]: the little girl corpse. Aaron [Ralph Brown] Morse [Danny Webb] Arthur [Dhobi Oparei] Murphy [Chris Fairbank] Jude [Vincenzo Nicoli] Eric [Niall Buggy] Frank [Carl Chase] Kevin [Philip Davis] Rains [Christopher John Fields] Gregor [Peter Guinness] Boggs [Leon Herbert] William [Clive Mantle] Junior [Holt McCallany] David [Pete Postlethwaite] Troy [Paul Brennan] Company Man [Hi Ching] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. FILMED SCENES THAT DIDN'T APPEAR IN THE THEATRICAL RELEASES. _ALIEN_ * From Famous Monsters #158, Special 1980 Annual: A gruesome scene where Kane's bloated corpse floats past the observation blister. This is quite a strange, because in the movie we see Kane clearly _shooting_ away from the Nostromo. * From the _ALIEN_ box set: After being awakened from hypersleep, Kane wanders out to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, he says "Rise and shine Lambert". Scene where the crew gathers on the bridge and listens to the signal coming from the derelict craft. [1 min, 40 sec] Scene where Lambert confronts Ripley about Ripley's reluctance to let them back on the ship with Kane and the facehugger. Lambert tells Ripley, Parker and Brett how the face hugger got on Kane. [1 min, 40 sec] Ripley radios down to Parker and Brett to see how they're progressing on the repairs, Parker and Ripley exchange tense words over the radio. [1 min, 17 sec] After the face hugger's acid eats through a few floors, the crew returns to the med lab to check up on Kane's condition. Ripley sees an X-Ray of Kane's chest and asks Ash, "What is that dark stain on Kane's lung?" The rest of the crew starts asking if Kane's going to live, Dallas tells everyone to go back to work. [2 min, 16 sec] After Kane's death, the crew gathers around at the meal table to discuss what they're going to do with the escaped alien. Brett anounces the cattle-prod idea and suggests "catching" the alien in a net. [2 min, 58 sec] Longer version of Brett's death. This scene had Brett frozen with fear as the alien grabs his head, he yells "Parker!" and then blood poors from beneath his cap. The alien lifts him up into the landing gear and Ripley and Parker come rushing in. Parker stands where Brett once was and looks up; blood drips on his shirt and then Brett's cattle prod falls to Parker's feet. [48 sec] 2/3 of a scene was filmed, this involved Parker, Ripley and Lambert trying to flush the alien out of the air lock. As they are about to succeed, an alarm is triggered and the alien rushes out of the airlock (getting its tail caught in the closing door, and spilling acid that causes a hull breach). Parker falls unconciously to the floor, Ripley does the same and Lambert and Ash come to their rescue. Ripley vocalizes her suspicions about Ash by accusing him of setting the alarm off. [total: 1 min, 51 sec] After Dallas's disappearance, Ripley (being suspicious of Ash) asks Lambert if she's ever slept with him. [1 min, 37 sec] The build-up to Lambert's death is much longer. (Watch the alien's shadow on the wall, it walks in, crouches down, then immediately gets up) A scene where we see the alien enter, crouch down and wait until Lambert notices its presence was cut. When Lambert sees the alien, it uncoils its tail and walks (like a crab) over to Lambert. After Ripley discovers the remains of Parker and Lambert, she makes another discovery. Ripley enters the landing gear area of the Nostromo (where Brett got killed) and discovers a cocooned Dallas and Brett mutating into an egg. Dallas pleads, "Kill me". Ripley flames Dallas and the Brett-egg and then runs to set the ship on self-destruct. [3 min, 22 sec] _ALIENS_ * From the "liner notes" that came with the collector's edition of the movie on laserdisc. Ripley is sitting on a park bench waiting for Burke (before the inquisition), immediately following her stay in Gateway Station' hospital. She presses a button, and the entire park behind her disappears, reveiling a grey screen. Burke enters and tells her how to act at the hearing. Ripley asks about her daughter. Burke keeps talking about the hearing. She insists to hear about her daughter. Burke hands her a computer printout (colour) that shows her a nice old lady. Burke tells her her daughter died at the age of 67. That was two years ago. Ripley whispers that she promised her daughter she'd be back before her 11th birthday before going off on the Nostromo. After Ripley's outburst during in the inquest ("Because if one of those creatures gets down here, you can kiss all of this goodbye"), dialogue has been restored in which Van Leuwen voices the council's final decision. (her flight status is revoked because she is deemed unfit to serve as a flight officer, she has to have monthly psych evaluations, and no criminal charges being filed against her) A scene where the colonists receive orders from Burke telling them to explore the derelict space craft. Newt's family drives to the site, during the trip Newt and her brother Timothy are arguing about a game of hide and seek that they play in the colony's airduct system. Timothy complains that Newt has the unfair advantage of being able to hide in the small places that the rest of the players can't get to. Following this, they arrive at the derelict ship and the mother and father go in; later the mother returns dragging the father who now has a face hugger clamped on his face. There's a scene of the colony, before contact with the aliens, in this scene we see a sign outside the colony reading: "Hadleys Hope - pop. 158" During the sequence in Ripley's apartment (where they try to convince her to go investigate the lack of contact with the Colony), Burke's dialogue regarding "The Company's" interest in the colony has been restored. Immediately following the establishing shot of the Sulaco is a restored introdution to the interior of the ship, eventually leading to the frost- covered hypersleep chamber (and then they wake-up. this is similar to the start of Alien). During the drop from the Sulaco to LV-426, is a restored scene of Hudson playfully boasting about the Marines and their weaponry. He tells Ripley he'll protect her. He also tells her the Sulaco carries every weapon from knives to 'nukes'. During the Marines' initial search through the colony, a sequence has been inserted in which Hudson investigate some motion they have deteced ahead of them. It were some mice walking around in their cage. The scene in which Ripley, Burke, Gorman, and Bishop enter the colony has been restored. (you see lotsa hesitation on Ripley's face before entering the complex). Hicks leaves behind, asks her if she's ok. She says yes and enters the complex. During Hick's discussion of the equipment salvaged from the APC wreckage, additional dialogue has been added in which he discribes the four remote sentry guns and how they can be used. When Ripley and the Marines examine the colony's blueprints, discussing how they will barricade themselves inside the complex, there is some additional dialogue referring to the strategic placement of the sentry guns. The sequence of Hicks arming the sentry, and Hudson and Vasquez testing one of the sentry guns been restored. Before the scene where Ripley carries Newt into the infirmary, a single show of the sentry guns has been inserted. During the scene where Ripley puts Newt to bed in the medical center, the dialogue about Ripley's daughter and the origin of babies as been restored. Newt asks Ripley if human babies are born the same way the aliens are. (Newt asks if Ripley ever had a daughter and she finds out Ripley's daughter's dead). In the scene where Ripley, Bishop, Hudson, and Vasquez discuss the aliens' life cycle, there is some additional dialogue in which Hudson, Vasquez and Bishop offer their speculations. (beehive/anthill sort of society) After Ripley's confrontation with Burke, the sequence involving the aliens attempting to make their way past the sentry guns in the service tunnel has been restored. Something probably only showed at the opening day of Aliens was a scene in which Ripley puts on her Reebok sneakers after she just found out that the facehuggers broke free, when she rested with Newt in the MedLab. After Vasquez and Ripley seal Bishop in the pipe, the aliens confront the other two sentry guns that have been set up in the colony corridors. At the end of the sequence, when Hicks dispatches Hudson and Vasquez (to walk perimeter), some of the shots have been rearranged from the theatrical edition and Hicks' dialogue slightly altered. Before Ripley leaves the drop-ship to rescue Newt, there is some additional dialogue in thich she turns to Hicks to say goodbye, and they exchange their first names: RIPLEY : See you Hicks. HICKS : Dwayne. It's Dwayne. RIPLEY : *smiles* Ellen... HICKS : Don't be gone long, Ellen. When Ripley is searching for Newt, she finds Burke who has been cocooned and impregnated. Burke begs Ripley to shoot him, instead she hands him a grenade. < this scene did not appear in the director's cut, but WAS filmed > _ALIEN^3_ * NOTE: most of these scenes are only rumoured to exist, no solid proof exists, but I thought I'd keep them in in case someone can substantiate them. Scene where Ripley's face is covered with bugs [lice] There was a dream sequence near the start of the movie where Ripley dreams that an alien is searching the wreckage and tries to rape her. The original movie didn't include the scene of the alien bursting from the dog's chest. Card #39 (of the _ALIEN^3_ trading card set) is a picture of an ox hanging in an Abattoir and the text says, "In one of the original scenes for Alien^3, oxen are used to pull Ripley's EEV from the water. When one of the oxen falls to the ground, the prisoners take it to the Abattoi r for butchering. But while a prisoner is preparing to butcher the ox, the Alien bursts from the animals chest." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. DIFFERENT MOVIE VERSIONS. _ALIEN_ Video - standard (has been resold in several different box re-prints) - special edition (wide screen) Disc - standard - special letterbox version containing a seperate section with the cut scenes, photos and several design drawings, including drawings by Moebius, Ron Cobb and H.R. Giger. - "Alien" Super 8 Film (200 feet long) _ALIENS_ Video - standard - directors cut, containing cut scenes put back into the movie. Disc - standard - special letterbox, director's cut version containing a seperate section with design drawings, behind the scenes footage and interviews with the director. Extended version's running time: 154 minutes. _ALIEN^3_ Video - standard - "the making of" Disc - standard letterboxed edition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. MERCHANDISE This is an ever-expanding portion of the FAQ so it is probably FAR from complete. _BOOKS_ * NOTE: "pb" = paperback, "hc" = hardcover. - Alien Souvenir Movie Program sold in theatres (pb) - Alien Official Movie Magazine (pb, Warren Publishing) - "The Book Of Alien" by Scanlon/Gross (pb, Simon & Schuster) - "Alien, The Illustrated Story" by Goodwin/Simonson (pb, Heavy Metal) - "Alien", The Movie Novel edited by Anobile (pb, Avon) - "Giger's Alien" art by H R Giger (pb, Big O Publishing) (hc, Morpheus International) - "Aliens", The Official Movie Book (pb, Starlog) (pb, Japanese) - "Aliens", The Official Movie Magazine (pb, Starlog) - "Alien" by Alan Dean Foster (novelisation) (pb, 1st US ed. Warner) (1st US. hc, SFBC, code J-27) (1st trade hc, UK) - "Aliens" by Alan Dean Foster (novelisation) (pb, 1st US ed. Warner) (1st US hc, SFBC, code Q-44) (1st trade hc, UK, Severn House) - "Alien^3" by Alan Dean Foster (novelisation) - "Alien" Movie Script by Hill and Giler - "Aliens" Movie Script by James Cameron - "Alien III" Movie Script by William Gibson - "Alien Poster Magazine" Nos. 1 & 2 - Alien Press Book - Alien Press Kit - Aliens Press Kit - "Aliens, book 1: Earth Hive" by Steve Perry (Bantam, Oct 1992) (ISBN 0-553-56120-0 pb) - "Aliens, book 2: Nightmare Asylum" by Steve P erry (Bantam, May 1993) (ISBN 0-553-56158-8 pb) - "Aliens, book 3: The Female War" by Steve Perry and Stephani Perry (Bantam, Aug 1993) (ISBN 0-553-56159-6 pb) _COMICS_ w writer a artist c cover artist ? indicates more information needed - COMIC SHOP NEWS: Comics Debut 1 Jun 93 Aliens/Predator: Deadliest of the Species preview - DARK HORSE COMICS: Aliens 1-6 (1988-9) w:Mark Verheiden ac:Mark A. Nelson 1 (6 printings) 2 (3 printings) 3-6 (2 printings) collected in hardcover, trade pb (aka Aliens Book One), includes reprint of DHP 24 b&w Aliens Portfolio 1 (Feb 89) a:Mark Nelson Contains seven b&w plates and an eight-page mini-comic reprinting first Alien story from DHP 24 Aliens Volume 2 1-4 (1989-90) w:Mark Verheiden ac:Denis Beauvais 1- 2 (2 printings) collected in limited hardcover 2500 copies, trade pb (aka Aliens Book Two and Aliens II) Aliens: Earth War 1-4 (1990) w:Mark Verheiden a:Sam Keith c:John Bolton 1 (2 printings) collected in trade pb with an introduction by Verheiden explaining how all of the various Alien projects interconnect The Complete Alien (1993?) reprints Aliens Book One, Aliens Book Two, Aliens: Earth War and stories from DHP limited hardcover 500 copies slipcover, leather binding, signed and numbered Aliens vs. Predator 0-4 (1990) w:Randy Stradley ac:Phill Norwood a:Karl Story c:Mike Mignola a:Chris Warner a:Robert Campanella c:Dave Dorman 0 (reprints Dark Horse Presents 34-36, b&w) 1-4 (2 printings) collected in limited hardcover 10 00 copies, trade pb, includes color reprint of DHP 34-36 Aliens: Genocide 1-4 (1991-2) w:Mike Richardson w:John Arcudi a:Damon Willis a:Karl Story c:Arthur Suydam collected in trade pb Aliens: Hive 1-4 (1992) w:Jerry Prosser ac:Kelley Jones collected in trade pb, c:Dave Dorman Aliens: Newt's Tale 1-2 (1992) w:Mike Richardson a:Jim Somerville a:Brian Garvey c:John Bolton prestige format Alien3 1-3 (1992) w:Steven Grant a:Christopher Taylor a:Rick Magyar c:Arthur Suydam movie adaptation Aliens: Tribes (1992) w:Steve Bissette ac:Dave Dorman graphic novel Winner 1992 Bram Stoker Award from Horror Writers of America limited hardcover 1000 copies, hardcover, trade pb Aliens: Sacrifice (May 93) w:Peter Milligan ac:Paul Johnson prestige format Aliens: Salvation (Nov 93) w:Dave Gibbons a:Mike Mignola a:Kevin Nowlan prestige format Aliens: Colonial Marines 1-12 (1993-4) w:Chris Warner a:Tony Akins a:Paul Guinan c:Robert Mentor 1 (cardboard cover) 2-3 w:Kelley Puckett a:Paul Guinan a:Allen Nunis c:Joe Phillips 4-5 w:Kelley Puckett a:Paul Guinan a:Bob Smith c:Joe Phillips 6 wa:Paul Guinan a:Tony Akins c:Robert Mentor 7 8-12 (forthcoming) Aliens: Rogue 1-4 (1993) w:Ian Edgington ac:Will Simpson Aliens/Predator: The Deadliest of the Species 1-12 (1993-4) w:Chris Claremont a:Jackson Guice a:John Beatty c:John Bolton a:Eduardo Barretto 1 Jul 93 Special Ash Can Edition (red foil cover) 1 Jul 93 Special Ash Can Edition (numbered, copper foil cover ?) 1 Jul 93 Time of the preacher 1 Jul 93 Time of the preacher (audio-enhanced edition ?) 1 Jul 93 Time of the preacher (platinum edition) 2 Sep 93 The hunt 3 Nov 93 Virtually real 4 Jan 94 The great escape 5-12 (forthcoming) Aliens: Labyrinth 1-4 (1993-4) w:Jim Woodring ac:Kilian Plunkett Aliens: Music of the Spears 1-4 (1994) w:Chet Williamson a:Tim Hamilton ac:Timothy Bradstreet c:Guy Burwell 2-4 (forthcoming) Aliens: Dragon (1994) w:Mark Askwith ac:Charles Vess graphic novel (forthcoming) - DARK HORSE PRESENTS (b&w anthology series): 24 1987? Theory of Alien Propagation w:Mark Verheiden a:Mark A. Nelson first Alien appearance in Dark Horse comics b&w 34 Nov 89 Aliens w:Randy Stradley a:Phill Norwood a:Karl Story c:Chris Warner b&w 36 Feb 90 Aliens vs. Predator w:Randy Stradley a:Phill Norwood a:Karl Story c:Chris Warner c:Dave Dorman b&w, line drawn cover 36 Feb 90 Aliens vs. Predator w:Randy Stradley a:Phill Norwood a:Karl Story c:Chris Warner c:Dave Dorman b&w, painted cover 42 Jul 90 Aliens part 1: Advent wac:Paul Guinan b&w 43 Aug 90 Aliens part 2: Terminus wac:Paul Guinan b&w 56 Nov 91 The Alien parts 1 & 2 w:John Arcudi a:Tony Akins ac:Paul Guinan b&w Dark Horse Presents Fifth Anniversary Special (1992?) Aliens: Reapers w:John Arcudi a:Simon Bisley Also contains unseen epilogue to Aliens vs. Predator series w:Randy Stradley a:Phill Norwood trade paperback, b&w Dark Horse Presents: Aliens 1 (1992) c:Simon Bisley 1 prestige format 1 prestige format, platinum edition color reprints of stories from DHP 24, 42, 43, DHP 5th Anniv special, 56 Best of Dark Horse Presents (1992-3?) Volumes 1-3 may contain Alien stories ? trade pb, reprint collection - DARK HORSE COMICS (color anthology series): Aliens: Horror Show w:Sarah Byam a:David Roach 3 Oct 92 part 1 c:David Roach 4 Nov 92 part 2 5 Dec 92 part 3 c:Dave Dorman Aliens: Taste w:Edward Martin III a:Mark Nelson c:Arthur Adams 11 Jul 93 Aliens: Backsplash w:Jim Woodring a:Kilian Plunkett 12 Aug 93 part 1 13 Sep 93 part 2 c:Kilian Plunkett Aliens: Cargo w:Dan Jolley a:John Nadean a:Terry Pallot 15 Nov 93 part 1 c:John Higgins 16 Dec 93 part 2 Aliens: Alien w:John Arcudi a:Paul Mendoza 17 Jan 94 part 1 of 3 18-19 (forthcoming) - DARK HORSE INSIDER (promotional series): Aliens: Countdown (1990-1) w:Mike Richardson a:Dennis Beauvais Serialized story probably started in issue #14 of Volume 1 (Sep 90) and continued for an unknown number of issues but completed by Jan 92 Aliens vs Predator 2 (1992-3) w:Randy Stradley a:Chris Warner Serialized story probably started in issue #1 of Volume 2 (Jan 92) and completed in issue #14 (Feb 93) Vol 2 #12 Dec 92 Alien cover - DARK HORSE INTERNATIONAL (UK monthly magazines): Aliens Volume 1 17 or more issues, content unknown Aliens Volume 2 Serial reprints and original stories 1 Jul 92? Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2 2 Aug 92 Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Newt's Tale 3 Sep 92 Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Newt's Tale 4 Oct 92 Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Newt's Tale 5 Nov 92 Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Newt's Tale 6 Dec 92 Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Newt's Tale 7 Jan 93 Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Newt's Tale 8 Feb 93 Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Newt's Tale 9 Mar 93 Hive, Aliens vs. Predator 2, Countdown (mini-comic part 1, collected from Dark Horse Insider), Colonial Marines, Sacrifice 10 Apr 93 Aliens vs. Predator 2, Countdown (mini-comic part 2), Colonial Marines, Sacrifice, Tribes 11 May 93 Aliens vs. Predator 2, Colonial Marines, Sacrifice, Tribes 12 Jun 93 Aliens vs. Predator 2, Colonial Marines, Sacrifice, Tribes, Horror Show 13 Jul 93 Aliens vs. Predator 2, Colonial Marines, Tribes, Horror Show, Crusade (w:Christian Gorny a:Michael Cook) 14 Aug 93 Aliens vs. Predator 2, Colonial Marines, Tribes, Horror Show, Crusade 15 Sep 93 Colonial Marines, Tribes, Crusade, Backsplash 16 Oct 93 Colonial Marines, Tribes, Crusade, Backsplash 17 Nov 93 Colonial Marines, Crusade, Cargo, Taste 18 Dec 93 Colonial Marines, Crusade, Cargo 19 Jan 94 Colonial Marines, Crusade, Salvation 20 Feb 94 Colonial Marines, Crusade, Salvation 21 Mar 94 Colinial Marines, Crusade, Salvation, Alien 22 Apr 94 Colonial Marines, Crusade, Alien, Rogue 23 May 94 Colonial Marines, Alien, Rogue, Matrix (graphic novella, w:Grant Morrison a:Chris Halls) Alien3 Movie Special 1-3 (includes only official comic version of Alien3) movie adaptation Total Carnage Aliens/Predator: The Deadliest of the Species serialized starting in issue #9 (Nov 93) - DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTERS: Aliens: Earth Angel (1993-4) wa:John Byrne Serialized in Previews, Vol III #1 - Vol IV #1 To be collected in a future issue of Previews - ECLIPSE COMICS: Illegal Aliens (Sep 92) w:Clint McElroy ac:Bill Maus ac:Bob Hanon parody, modern vs. classic movie monsters b&w - HEAVY METAL COMMUNICATIONS: Alien, the Illustrated Story (1979) w:Archie Goodwin a:Walter Simonson ISBN 930-36842-8 trade pb _MAGAZINES & ARTICLES_ - Alien Invasions (Warren Presents No.3) - American Cinematographer: August, 1979 issue - American Film: Vol.4, No.5. - Cinefantastique: Vol.9, No.1 Vol.16, No.3, No.4/5 (double issue) - Cinefex: Nos. 1 & 27 - Cinemacabre: No.2 - Cracked Magazine: (parody) Digest No. II (Monster Party, 1/87) - Famous Monsters of Filmland: Nos. 154,155,156,157,158,159 - Fangoria: Nos. 1 & 3 - Fantastic Films: Nos. 9,10,11,12,13,22 - Filmfax: No. 4 - Future Life: No. 11 - Galactic Journal: No. 21 - Mad Magazine: (parody) Nos. 212, 268 - Mediascene: Nos. 32 & 35 - Monsterland: Nos. 11 & 13 - Premier: May 1992, Vol. 5, No. 9 - Prevue: No. 65 - Questar: No. 5 - Space Monsters: No. 1 - Space Wars: issues dated 9/79, 3/80 - Spotlight: Oct - Nov 1986, No 4 (French) - Starburst: (British) Nos. 8,14,16,17,19,88,97,98,99,100,102,105 - Starlog: Nos. 22,23,24,25,26,27,41,99,103,105,106,107,108,109,110,111, 115,117,121,125,126,150 - Japanese Edition: Nos. 7 & 9 - Sci-Fi Yearbook: No. 1 - Scrapbook: No.6 - Best of Starlog: Nos. 1 & 7 - Poster Magazine: Vol.1, Nos. 2 & 7 - Starlog Yearbook: Nos. 1,2,6,7 - Starwarp: Vol.2, No.3 - DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTERS: Previews Vol II #11-12 (Oct 92-Nov 92) Interviews with Alien writers and artists, previews of Colonial Marines -EC PUBLICATIONS: Mad #212 Jan 80 Alias (Alien parody) Mad #268 Jan 87 (Aliens parody) Mad #? ~1992 (Alien3 parody) - FICTIONEER BOOKS: Comics Interview 68, 84, 87 (interviews with Alien writers and artists) Comics Interview Super Special: Aliens vs Predator Comics Interview Special Edition: Aliens - WARRIOR PUBLICATIONS: Hero Illustrated 2 (Aug 93) Aliens/Predator cover, bagged with Aliens/Predator ashcan comic _CLOTH PATCHES_ _IRON ONS_ - US Colonial Marines (with Eagle) - USCS Nostromo - US Colonial Marines (words) - Alien Egg - USCS Nostromo (emblem) - Space Jockey - USCS Sulaco (emblem) - Delta (USCM emblem) _PUZZLES (all from HG Toys)_ - "Alien" painted by Montage (large size) - "Alien Egg" - "Nostromo in Flight" - "Kane Looking In Egg" - "Puzzle in an Egg"(painted Alien Warrior) - "Alien Space Jockey" _BUTTONS AND PINS_ - "Alien" movie promo (probably more than one) - "Aliens" movie promo (probably more than one; the one I have is a blue 3-D button with the word logo) - "Alien^3" movie promo (large and rectangular with a picture of an egg, the title "Alien^3" and the date "1992" on it) - "Alien 2" Japanese painted metal pin (figure of Alien Warrior) - Dark Horse Cloisette Series: No.1 (Alien Warrior) No.2 (Alien Warrior) No.3 (Alien Queen) No.4 (Chestburster) No.5 (Facehugger) No.6 (Facehugger) scheduled (ie, Nos. 7 & 8, the "Alien Drones") _POSTERS AND PROMO ITEMS_ - "Alien" movie poster issue (one sheet) [possibly a 3 sheet] - "Aliens" movie poster issue styles "A" and "B" - "Ripley and Newt" Aliens promo poster - Alien Warrior: comic illustration (by Mark Neilson) - "Aliens" video promo poster - door sized Alien Warrior - Alien Warrior photo poster - H. R. Giger set of 6 or 8 concept design lithographs (S/N, edition of 325) - "Alien" movie sticker (Italien) - "Alien" movie stills (eight coloured stills, labeled "Set A") [more?] - "Alien" set of eight lobby cards (larger/smaller sizes) - "Alien" promotional matchbook (given away at 7-11, features Alien Egg logo) - "Alien" 8" by 16" cardboard promotional (movie theatre) insert - "Aliens" cardboard promotional (movie theatre) stand up of Ripley in Alien Egg Chamber - "Aliens" video store promotional display _CARDS_ - "Alien" card set (84 cards with 22 stickers) (Topps) - "Alien^3" card set _MODELS_ - KAIYODO Alien Warrior (Japanese) - KAIYODO Alien Queen (Japanese) - KAIYODO Alien Warrior II (based upon H.R. Giger's pre-production concept design; limited ed., issued at 8/89 Japanese Model Fest) - KAIYODO Alien Warrior ("deformed") (Japanese) - TSU promo poster - Alien Warrior: comic illustration (by Mark Neilson) - "Aliens" video promo poster - door sized Alien Warrior - Alien War rior photo poster - H. R. Giger set of 6 or 8 concept design lithographs (S/N, edition of 325) - "Alien" movie sticker (Italien) - "Alien" movie stills (eight coloured stills, labeled "Set A") [more?] - "Alien" set of eight lobby cards (larger/smaller sizes) - "Alien" promotional matchbook (given away at 7-11, features Alien Egg logo) - "Alien" 8" by 16" cardboard promotional (movie theatre) insert - "Aliens" cardboard promotional (movie theatre) stand up of Ripley in Alien Egg Chamber - "Aliens" video store promotional display _CARDS_ - "Alien" card set (84 cards with 22 stickers) (Topps) - "Alien^3" card set _MODELS_ - KAIYODO Alien Warrior (Japanese) - KAIYODO Alien Queen (Japanese) - KAIYODO Alien Warrior II (based upon H.R. Giger's pre-production concept design; limited ed., issued at 8/89 Japanese Model Fest) - KAIYODO Alien Warrior ("deformed") (Japanese) - TSUKUDA Alien Warrior (Japanese) - JRC Facehugger (Japanese "Garage Kit") - JRC Chestburster (Japanese "Garage Kit") - NYC Narcissus (Japanese) - NYC Alien Queen Metal Miniature Figure (Japanese) - OZ SHOP Alien Warrior, Astronaut, APC, Drop Ship (all "defo rmed") - SCOOP Alien Facehugger Bust (Japanese) - Scoop Alien Egg (on base) (Japanese) - MPC Alien Warrior (1st edition with jaws, 2nd edition no jaws) - HALCYON Aliens Armoured Personnel Carrier - HALCYON Aliens Drop Ship (* Note: SHED customising kit available) - GONZOID Alines Armoured Personnel Carrier (1/72 scale) - LATTIMER PRODUCTIONS Chestburster (lifesize) - MFR. UNKNOWN Alien Nostromo Astronaut (on base with egg) (Japanese) - AEF MODEL KITS (small scale, highly detailed) Hicks; Drake; Frost; Dietrich; Apone; Gorman; Hudson; Wierzbowski; Crowe; Ferro; Spunkmeyer; Vasquez(gun); Vasquez(escape); Ripley(combat); Ripley(escape); Completion Kits A,B,C; Equipment Kits A,B,C; Alien Warriors A,B,C,D; Alien Queen (attack mode); Alien Egg Assortment; Closed Egg Assortment; Facehugger/Chestburster Assortment; Alien Egg Chamber [very ltd edition of 150?]; USCM Power Loader - Sulaco, ALIEN^3 chestburster, facehugger (full scale), Queen Chestburster, Power Loader - MFR. UNKNOWN M41A Pulse Rifle kit (full size) - HALYCON/HORIZON Nostromo ("Nostromo model #HT-03 US.Doll.185.00") _UNCONFIRMED MODEL KITS_ - Unknown Mfr. Alien Chestburster (Japanese Garage Kit) - Unknown Mfr. "Aliens" Deformed Queen (Japanese Garage Kit) - ICHIBA Nostromo Model Kit (200+ pieces) (Japanese) _AUDIO ITEMS_ - "Alien" Film Soundtrack (J. Goldsmith) CD: Polygram, FILMCD003 Festival, D41565 Cass: Polygram, FILMMC003 Tracks: Main Title, The Face Hugger, Breakaway, Acid Test, The Landing, The Droid, The Recovery, The Alien Planet, The Shaft, End Title - "Aliens" Film Soundtrack (J. Horner) CD GE Colosseum VCD 47263 CD JA Soundtrack Listeners Communications SLCS-7009 CD UK That's Entertainment CDTER 1115 CD US Varese Sarabande VCD 47263 CD US Varese Sarabande VSD-47263 Tracks: Main Title, Going after Newt, Sub-Level, Ripley's Rescue, Atmosphere Station, Futile Escape, Dark Discovery, Bishop's Countdown, Resolution and Hyperspace - "Alien^3" Film Soundtrack (E. Goldenthal) CD: BMG, MCAD10629 Cass: BMG, MCAC10629 Tracks: Agnus Dei, Bair and Chase, The Beast Within, Lento, Candles in the Wind, Wreckage and Rape, The First Attack, Lullaby Elegy, Death Dance, Visit to the Wreckage, Explosion and Aftermath, The Dragon, The Entrapment, Adagio _MISC ITEMS_ - LARAMI "Alien" Glow Putty - THINKING CAP COMPANY "Alien" NOSTROMO baseball cap - "In space, everybody can wear a cap" cap. - BEN COOPER "Alien" Halloween Costume - DISTORATIONS "Alien" Full Size Mask (cast from original used in movie, limited edition) [anywhere from 25 to 300 in edition?] - DON POST "Alien" Facehugger (lifesize in plexiglass case) - SF MASK COMPANY "Alien" Head Mask - MARCO INDUSTRIES "Alien" Head Mask - MARCO INDUSTRIES "Alien" Full Sized Body Suit with Mask & Working Jaws - MARCO INDUSTRIES "Aliens" M-41 A Pulse Rifle Set (3 grenades, locater wristband, web sling, extra pulse cartidge, etc.) - "Aliens" Logo Mug - "Aliens" Doorknob sign ("This Room Protected By Aliens" and "Bug Off") - "Aliens" Car Window Sign ("Aliens on Board") - "Aliens" Door Sign ("Aliens Fan Club Members Only") - "Aliens" Note Pads ("Trust Me, I'm The Boss" & "A Note From The Better Half") - Full-scale inflatable alien doll. - Door-sized poster "Aliens don't have to knock" _T-SHIRTS_ - Black Shirt with Drooling Alien (front) Green Alien Egg (back) - Black/Grey Shirt with Alien Warrior (front) Warrior's Tail and words ("In Space N o One Can Hear You Scream") (back) - Black Shirt with Alien Egg and words ("How Do You Like Your Eggs?") (front) - 3-D Alien Chestburster coming through front of shirt - Grey Shirt with USCM Emblem (front) - Grey Shirt with "Aliens" logo (front)/words ("There Are Some Places In The Universe You Don't Go Alone") _TOYS AND GAMES_ - KENNER 18" "Alien" Warrior Action Figure - KENNER "Alien" Board Game - HG TOYS "Alien" Blaster Target Game - HG TOYS "Alien" Chase Target Game - KENNER "Alien" Movie Viewer and Cartridge - "Alien" Computer Game - ACTIVISION "Aliens" Computer Game - ELECTRIC DREAMS "Aliens" (European version) Computer Game - "ALIEN^3" for the Sega Mega Drive, Amiga and possibly others. - LEADING EDGE "Aliens" Role Playing Game - LEADING EDGE "Aliens" Expansion Module - LEADING EDGE "Alien" board game - HG TOYS "Alien" pistol (shoots ping-pong balls) - action figures: Ripley (w/flamethrower), Hicks (w/missile?), Apone (w/grenades), Bishop (w/Gatling gun), Drake (w/"smart gun"?), ATAX (wearing Alien Queen "disguise"), Alien Queen (w/swinging tail and extending second jaw; includes "chestburster"), Flying Alien Queen (w/flapping wings), Scorpion Alien (body explodes; includes facehugger), Bull Alien (head rams; includes facehugger), Gorilla Alien (arms grab, squirts "acid"; includes facehugger), Giant Face Hugger, Snake Alien, Mantis Alien, - miniatures: (25 mm scale, available in blister packs) (20300) Alien Warriors (6 pc.) (20301) Col. Marines (8 pc.) (20302) Col. Marines 2 (8 pc.) (20303) Alien Queen Mother (20304) Colonists Last Stand (5 pc.) (20305) Alien Warriors 2 (6 pc.) (24101) Aliens Warriors blister pack 1 (2 Alien warriors) (24102) ...... ........ ....... .... 2 (same) (24103) ...... ........ ....... .... 3 (same) (24104) ...... ........ ....... .... 4 (same) (24105) ...... ........ ....... .... 5 (same) (24106) ...... ........ ....... .... 6 (same) (24107) ...... ........ ....... .... 7 (1 warrior & 1 Warrior attacking a colonist) (24201) Aliens Ripley blister pack (Ripley, Newt, Hicks, Burke) (24202) ...... Dropship Crew bl.pk. (Ferro, Spunkmeyer, Frost) (24203) ...... Machinegunners bl.pk. (Vasquez, Drake, Wierzbowski) (24301) ...... Sentry Gun bl.pk. (4 sentry guns) (24204) ...... Game Over bl.pk. (Hudson, Bishop, Crowe) (24302) ...... Facehugger bl.pk. (4 open eggs & 6 facehuggers) (24205) ...... Apone bl.pk. (Apone, Gorman, Dietrich) (24303) ...... Egg bl.pk. (5 closed eggs) (24401) ...... Powerloader bl.pk. (Powerloader & Jones the cat) (24305) ...... Colonists bl.pk. (3 col. being attacked by facehuggers) (24307) ...... APC Boxed Set (The APC in 25 mm scale) (source: Advance Comics, #58) (20108) Aliens Dropship Boxed Set ("This is a large, in-scale version of the Dropship, completely compatible with the Leading Edge line og Aliens Warriors, Colonial Marines, and the APC. This lead- free set is packaged in TWO figure cased and wrapped in a larger sleeve." (Advance comics, #59, p.322) (20109) Aliens Sulaco Miniatures Boxed Set ("This is a large (roughly 6"long) version of the spacecraft used by the colonial marines. It is not 25mm scale, but hey, it's the Sulaco!" (Advance Comics, #59, p.322) - Vehicles: Power Loader, EVAC Fighter, Stinger - RPG: Primary Design: Barry Nakazono Writing and Design: David McKenzie Editing and Production: Irene Kinzek The role playing game contradicts the movie in several ways, therefore its contents are purely speculatory, however it has this to say about the aliens: * Aliens feed on electricity, sort of like car batteries. * Facehuggers are awakened by MOTION outside their egg. * There are 3 types of aliens: queen, warrior and sentries. * All types of aliens can lay eggs, however the queen's are larger and will last longer (centuries as opposed to months). * Warriors are the standard aliens that you see in the movies. * Sentries have special sensors that allow them to "feel" vibrations anywhere in the hive. * Aliens do have a language of gestures and audible sounds. * Aliens can see infrared as well as the visible spectrum. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================================== Newsgroups: alt.cult-movies,rec.arts.sf.movies,rec.arts.movies,news.answers,rec.answers,alt.answers Path: helix.net!unixg.ubc.ca!news.mic.ucla.edu!news.bc.net!vanbc.wimsey.com!scipio.cyberstore.ca!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!EU.net!sun4nl!news.nic.surfnet.nl!tudelft.nl!news.twi.tudelft.nl!vos From: Vos@Dutiws.TWI.TUDelft.NL Subject: MOVIES: ALIEN FAQ part 2/4 Message-ID: Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.movies Sender: vos@dutiws.twi.tudelft.nl (E.W.C. de Vos) Organization: Weyland Yutani - "Building Better Worlds" Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 00:23:20 GMT Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Expires: Fri, 2 Dec 1994 23:00:00 GMT Lines: 1086 Xref: helix.net alt.cult-movies:16581 rec.arts.sf.movies:8574 rec.arts.movies:42907 news.answers:4899 rec.answers:1508 Posting-Frequency: approx. every month Archive-name: movies/alien-faq/part2 Version: 2.1 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& & & & ALIEN, ALIENS and ALIEN^3 & & & & Information and Frequently Asked Questions & & & & Version 2.1 & & & & PART 2 of 4 & & & &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 7. MEMORABLE QUOTES In some cases, the circumstances around which these quotes occur will be given so the reader can get the "full effect" of the moment. "The entire world revolves around this wretched Alien." - H.R. Giger _ALIEN_ < Kane starts choking, this starts the scene where the Alien bursts from his chest> "What's the matter man, the food ain't THAT bad?!" - Parker < Ripley asks how long it takes the ship to self destruct > "If we ain't outta here in 10 minutes, we won't need no rocket to fly through space." - Parker "You still don't know what you're dealing with do you? Perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility [...] I admire its purity, a survivor; unclouded by conscience, remorse or delusions of morality." - Ash _ALIENS_ "They ain't payin' us enough for this." - Drake "Not enough to wake up to your face." - Dietrich "Hey, Hicks, you look just like I feel" -Drake "Another glorious day in the Corps. A day in the Marine Corps is like a day on the farm; every meal a banquet, every paycheque a fortune, every formation a parade. I love the Corps!" - Apone "Hey Sarge, you'll get lip cancer smokin' those..." - Hudson Hudson: "Hey, Vasquez... Have you ever been mistaken for a man?" Vasquez: "No, have you?" Ripley: "Just stay away from me, Bishop!" < Bishop offers some of his meal to her. Ripley hits a plate from Bishop hands > Frost: "I guess she didn't like the corn bread either..." Gorman: "Drake! Check your camera! There seems to be a malfunction." < on which Drake hits the camera to the wall. > Gorman: "That's better." < After Gorman says, "Hicks, meet me at the south lock. We're coming in." > [sarcastically] "He's coming in. I feel safer already." - Hudson "Stop your grinnin' and drop your linnen..." - Hudson < Gorman orders the troops to disarm all their weapons before the first alien encounter > "What the hell are we supposed to use man, harsh language?" - Frost "I say we grease this rat fuck son of a bitch" - Hudson < After Ripley rescues the remaining troops with the APC and suggests that they nuke the site from orbit, Burke tries to stop this plan > "Hey maybe you haven't been keeping up on current events, but we just got our ASSES kicked pal!" - Hudson < Ripley responds to Burke's reservations about nuking the alien-infested site > "They can BILL me!" - Ripley < After the first encounter with the aliens, the survivors are in the APC discussing their next move. > "I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit; it's the only way to be sure." - Ripley < When Ripley explains that Hicks is the "one in charge" (after the marines' first confrontation with the aliens > "He's just a grunt! No offense..." - Burke "None taken." - Hicks < After Ripley and Newt are attacked by the facehuggers, and they discover it was Burke's doing > "Allright, we waste him... no offense." - Hicks "How can they cut the power, they're ANIMALS, man!" - Hudson < The dropship crashes > "Well that's great, that's just fuckin' great man, now what the fuck are we supposed to do? We're in some real pretty shit now man!" - Hudson "Are you finished?" - Hicks "That's it man, game over man, game over! What the fuck are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?" - Hudson "Why don't we build a fire, sing a couple of songs! Why don't we try that?" - Burke < Ripley tells the story of why Burke tried to impregnate her and Newt with alien eggs > "I say we grease this rat-fuck son-of-a-bitch right now!" - Hudson "You know Burke, I don't know which species is worse; you don't see them fucking each other over for a goddam percentage!" - Ripley "Dear Lord Jesus, this can't be happenin' man, this isn't happenin..." - Hudson < Ripley tells Hudson that Newt managed to survive for a long time with no weapons and no training > "Why don't you put HER in charge?!" - Hudson < Hicks says that there won't be any rescue attempt made for another 17 days > "17 days?! Hey man, I don't want to rain on your parade, but we're not gonna last 17 hours against those things!" - Hudson < Bishop says "I'm afraid I have some bad news." > "Well that's a switch." - Hudson "I may be synthetic, but I'm not stupid." - Bishop "Get away from her you bitch!" - Ripley _ALIEN^3_ "I am a raper and murderer of women!" - Dillon "Then I must make you nervous..." - Ripley < Ripley's looking for the alien > "Don't be afraid, I'm part of the family!" - Ripley < Talking to something she thinks is the alien > "You've been in my life so long... I can't remember anything else...!" - Ripley "Do we have the capacity to create fire? Most people have had that privilege since the stone age..." -Ripley ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS _ALIEN_ - The "blurb" on the back of the movie box is wrong. "...the crew of a commercial spaceship make an unscheduled landing on a barren and desolate planet for engine repairs." They did not land on the planet to make engine repairs, rather to investigate the distress beacon. - When the facehugger is cut and starts bleeding, Dallas and the rest of the crew run down and see a hole in the ceiling. It consists of two separate holes, with some 'bridge' inbetween. They go down one level more, and then there is a quick shot of everyone entering the deck, where we see the ceiling quite intact, just a little affected by the acid. Then we see Dallas poke into the hole with Brett's pen. This hole is _exactly_ the same one as one deck up, two holes separated by a 'bridge'. - In the opening scene the camera pans over interior of the Nostromo's bridge and ends with a view on the visor of a helmet. Then we see shots alternated between the helmet and the monitor (readout on the monitor is reflected in the helmet's visor). In the first view on the monitor you can see the screen and some keys on the console. In the second view on the monitor, a plastic coffee cup has appeared to the right of the monitor. _ALIENS_ - After the Sulaco arrives at LV-426, a computer screen displays the last names and first initials of each of the crew members. Hudson isn't on the list. - Adding up the estimated time that Bishop makes (for getting the drop ship down to the planet) gives a total of 180 minutes (3 hours), however the fusion reactor is not going to blow up for another 4 hours. Ripley says "It's going to be close..." but they actually have a full hour to clear the base. [not NECESARRILY a technical problem, but it could be] - In the LD version of aliens, during those split-seconds the camera is NOT on the queen during the fight between Ripey and her, pay attention to bishop. In one shot, you can clearly see the hole that Lance Henriksen is standing in (to hide the other half of his body) to give the effect of being ripped in two. - In the battle scene between Ripley and the mother alien where Ripley is in the loader, we see the alien pull the loader into the airlock when Ripley tries to drop it. The loader is turned upside down and the cone on top with the spinning yellow caution light is broken when it slams into the floor. In the next scene, however, we see the loader lying on the floor of the airlock with the yellow cone still in one piece. Also, the sharp end of the alien tails seems to be missing, as if it broke off, but the broken part isn't on the airlock floor. - When Bishop gets it from the mother alien, you can see the string pulling the stinger through the dummy. - The Pulse rifles are using "standard armor piercing explosive tip, caseless" [Gorman, Aliens] and yet when one is fired, you see shells flying out of it if you look carefully. - During the marines' initial confrontation with the aliens (while Ripley and Gorman are monitoring the situation from the APC), there is a scene where Ripley tells Gorman to pull his men out. The first time you see Ripley in this 20 second clip she is wearing a audio headset. The frame flicks to Gorman who looks unhappy, and flicks back to an irate Ripley with NO HEADSET. The scene flicks back to Gorman who loses his temper, and then back to Ripley who talks into the Headset which has reappeared. (Gorman subsequently knocks the headset off.) - In the scene in the dropship where Ripley is preparing to rescue Newt; she's arming herself, there is an editing error. Camera angle 1 (close up of the weapons rack) Ripley grabs a flame thrower and then from angle 2 (close up of the table) she puts down a pulse rifle. Next she grabs a pulse rifle but puts down a flame unit. This is in the theatrical version, but is corrected in the boxed set. - When Frost falls down the stairwell on fire. If you look closely at the last couple of frames before the camera angle changes you can see a boot come out from the bottom left corner. It shows up quite nicely in front of the fire. It looks to be more of a silhouette. It is definitely not a character's boot, nor is it Frost's boot that may have popped off. This is in both the theatrical and boxed set version. _ALIEN^3_ - Many instances where you can see the "outline" created by the blue screening technique. - The "furnace" that Ripley falls into at the end is WAY off scale, it was just too big! - The Cryo capsules seen in the escape pod in _ALIEN^3_ are the same design as those seen in _ALIEN_ which is a DIFFERENT design than the capsules seen in the Sulaco in _ALIENS_. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. TRIVIA _ALIEN_ - H.R. Giger, the man who created the alien, was also hired to make up some scenery for Dune. This was not used, though. - The facehugger was originally far more bigger than it turned out eventually. The first drafts of the facehugger showed it about one-and-a-half yards big, with a tail which made it up to (or over) three yards. It embrased the complety head of the victim, instead of just attaching to the front. - The first alien Ridley Scott thought of having marching around in the picture, was a big man with a bunch of children strapped to him, wrapped up in rubber. This idea was thought over, but it gave too many problems. The second idea was a robot 'alien'. This idea was rejected because of safety reasons: there was no way of really being sure that no one would get hurt when the robot would've been armed (during a fight). Then the idea of a insect like alien was brought up. The alien we all know was derived from this idea. - The first draws of the alien showed us an alien with eyes! - Bolaji Badejo, the man who was in the alien suit, was just picked up from a bar by Ridley Scott. He was as big as Scott wanted the alien to be: two metres (6ft, 7in). - There were two alien suits: one for the effect of a HUGE alien, 6ft 7in, and one for the stuntman, Eddy Powell, 5ft 10in. - Only due to problems with materials, the alien was _not_ transparent. Otherwise we would've been watching a transparent alien in the trilogy... - Unsubstantiated rumour: "None of the actors saw the alien before the shootings. This created a genuine reaction on film." For more information, see below: "FALSE RUMOUR!" - H.R. Giger made an alien walking-stick handle. He took this to the Oscar Award ceremony. - According to the _ALIEN_ box set, _ALIEN_ grossed $ 40,300,000.00 - The first half of the movie was based on original ideas and a script entitled "Memories" by Dan O'Bannon, the second half originated from the idea of gremlins on a B-17 bomber, transposed to a spaceship. [source: _ALIEN_ box set] - Notice the similarity between the cocooned gremlins in the movie "Gremlins" and the alien's eggs/cocoon structure. This similarity may have been due to the original 'gremlins on a B-17' concept for the latter half of _ALIEN_. This aspect of _GREMLINS_ could've been inspired by _ALIEN_. - It has been suggested that _ALIEN_ is a rip-off from from an A.E. van Vogt short story entitled "Discord in Scarlet". Van Voght seems to have won a court suite about what appeared to be a rip-off of part of this famous novella. "Discord in Scarlet" is about a castaway alien who plants eggs in the bodies of humans. "Discord in Scarlet" was pasted into a composite novel called "Voyage of the space beagle". - "Nostromo" (a novel by Joseph Conrad) pilots a ship hauling ore out of a turbulent South American country. - The name of the shuttle "Narcissus" was taken from the Conrad novel "The Nigger of the Narcissus". The plot revolves around a sailor who brings death on board with him. - The alien's habit of laying eggs in the stomach (which then burst out) is similar to the life-cycle of the tsetse fly. - The images that the computers display during the Nostromo's separation from the Mother ship (as well as some images (ie: the "Purge" message) used near the end where Ripley is setting up the escape pod to blast off) are re-used in _Blade Runner_ (also directed by Ridley Scott) - FALSE RUMOUR!!! "Only John Hurt and the camera crew knew exactly what was going to happen during the chest-bursting scene. The actors' only clue as to what was going to happen was from what they read in the script, so reactions are genuine." This rumour is completely unsubstantial! In "Giger's Alien" it says that this scene was shot three times. So everybody knew perfectly well what they were getting in to. They had to change their blood stained shirts every time after a shooting. - In the scene from ALIEN where Dallas, Kane and Lambert are leaving the ship, the actual actors walking past the Nostromo's landing struts are 3 children (two of which were Ridley Scott's children) dressed in scaled down spacesuits. This has the effect of making the ship look even bigger. - Watch the scene where Kane gets attacked by the facehugger frame-by-frame. You'll see (through Kane's eyes) the facehugger jump out of the egg, attach itself to his helmet, break through the glass shielding and stick a tube down his throat. - An over-turned ice cube tray is on the side of Ash's motion tracking device was an ice-cube tray. - A sex scene between Dallas and Ripley (!) was in the script, however was not filmed. [source: _ALIEN_ box set] - The front (face) part of the alien costume's head is made from a real human skull. [source: _ALIEN_ box set] - Although it has nothing to do with _ALIEN_, Sigourney Weaver's real name is Susan Alexandra. [source: Who is Who in America, 47th Edition] - A good deal of the music that Jerry Goldsmith wrote for Alien never made it into the movie. Several tracks on the CD soundtrack don't appear in the film, and most of them that are in the movie apparently weren't used in the scenes they were written for, judging from track titles. The movie uses some classical music, plus music from an earlier Jerry Goldsmith score entitled "Freud." [refer to section 6, MERCHANDISE for more soundtrack information] - In Mel Brooks' Sci-Fi spoof "Space Balls" there is a scene near the end where John Hurt (Kane) and a group of other actors made up to resemble the crew in _ALIEN_ are enjoying a drink at a space diner. Hurt suddenly starts choking and a chestburster erupts from his chest. The creature then dawns a top hat and dances across the bar while singing "Hello my baby". John Hurt (Kane) says "Oh no, not again". < the next two points are quoted from the Blade Runner FAQ with permission > - Notice that both _Alien_ and BladeRunner have "artificial persons", and there is ambiguity as to who is/was a real human. _Alien_ and BR are perfectly compatible, the only problem being that Ash should have been a replicant, as opposed to a robot. - When Deckard enters his apartment at the end, the background hum is the same distinctive hum as in parts of _ALIEN_. _ALIENS_ - Look closely at the readouts about the Nostromo crew in back of Ripley during the Inquest. There is, if you look closely, some interesting (and accurate) detail about the characters. - James Cameron was offered, after Terminator, two film projects - one was a futuristic version of Spartacus, the other was what was then called Alien II. He chose the latter. - When, in the Sulaco, the Marines are being thawed out - look at the screen - nearly without exception, the names listed have as the character's first initial, the actor's first initial. - Tip Tipping, who played Private "expendable" Wiersbowski, was actually a stuntman and stunt coordinator. He died about two years back in a tragic parachuting accident... - Also there's a wonderful visual pun - when the Mother Alien "stings" B ishop, "Queen takes Bishop!!" - "El Riesgo Siempre Vive." is written on Vasquez's chest plate armor. In Spanish, this literally means "the risk lives forever", and figuratively means (it's a saying) that taking risks is necessary to survive. - Hudson's line, "Stop your grinnin' and drop your linnen" is a quote from an AC/DC song entitled "Shake a Leg". [album: Back In Black] - British Aerospace was [secretly] contracted to design the weaponry and spacecraft for Aliens. The dropship is a composite of the cockpit from the Apache helicopter, and engine cowling from old British planes - also the Sulaco is based on the pulse rifle. - "...It was [Jeanette] Goldstein's (Vasquez) outside that needed an overhaul, largely because blue eyes and Huck Finn-style freckles didn't quite fit the job description. 'The makeup took an HOUR,' she sighs. 'The makeup woman said I had the most ornery freckles she had ever seen.'...They also gave her dark contact lenses, and rather unceremoniously, whacked off most of her waist-length hair." [from STARLOG #115, Feb.1987] - "The introduction to the marines, [...], as they awoke from hyper space and gnawed on breakfast, was filmed at the production's end. That way, the cast had several months to get acquainted." [from STARLOG #115, Feb.1987] - "Loco" is written on the back of Vasquez's shirt. [from STARLOG #115, Feb.1987] - Goldstein : "'It's never mentioned in the film, but in the characters' background, she and Drake are recruited from juvenile prison, where they're under life sentences. 'Therefore, they were different from the others, who were on a time limit. Hudson was supposed to get out of the marines in four weeks, which is what made him flip.' That also explains the back of Hudson's vest, tailored by actor Bill Paxton to read, 'Contents under pressure. Do not puncture.'" [from STARLOG #115, Feb.1987] - Ferro has "(Fly the Friendly Skies)" written on her helmet. - On the side of the first drop ship is an insignia of an eagle with big sneakers on, sort of completing a jump. Just above this is the text "Bug Stompers" and just below is "We endanger species". - The second drop ship is called "Smart Ass" and just below is "We aim by P.F.M." (ie: Pure Fucking Magic) - "Adios" is painted on Vasquez's smart gun. - The smart guns used by Drake and Vasquez are mounted on them via set of hydraulic arms. These arms take most of the load of the guns and keep them stable. Virtually the same technology is used by camera men on outside broadcasts, where they are used to keep the cameras steady. The hydraulics absorb most of the energy created by a camera man running down the road leaving a very steady picture. - An ammunition clip for the M41-A pulse rifle holds 95 rounds. - The mechanism used to make the facehuggers thrash about in the stasis tubes in the science lab came from one of the "flying piranhas" in one of James Cameron's earlier movies: Piranha II - The Spawning. It took 9 people to make the face hugger work, one person for each leg and someone for the tail. - Hicks was originally played by actor James Remar, but Michael Biehn replaced him a few days after principal photography began, due to "artistic differences" between Remar and Cameron. - Partly as a joke and partly to leave the ending open for subsequent sequels, James Cameron added the sound of an egg opening/face hugger scuttling about at the end of the film credits. (different sounds were appended to different versions of the movie) - "She thought they said 'illegal aliens' and signed up..." - Hudson This quote (directed towards Vasquez) was an "inside joke" to the actors of the movie. (quoted without permission from an interview with Jeanette Goldstein [Vasquez] that appeared in STARLOG magazine) ''...she answered an ad for a film role in the local trades. It read simply, "Genuine American actors, British Equity, for feature film, ALIENS, 20th Century Fox," she relates, over lunch near the old homestead in Beverly Hills. "I had seen ALIEN, but I had NO idea this was a sequel. It had been so long ago, it didn't even occur to me. "I thought it was about actual aliens, you know, immigrants to a country. I was wondering why they wanted Americans. I figured the movie was about lots of different immigrants to England." Since she didn't ha ve an agent at the time, she answered the ad on her own, with rather surprising results. "I actually came in wearing high heels and lots of makeup, and I had waist-length hair," she says. Other auditioners, who had advance notice from THEIR agents , were decked out in military fatigues --- Goldstein's first inkling she would be reading for the role of a marine...'' - One track of music from Goldsmith's CD for _ALIEN_ appears near the end of _ALIENS_, during one of the big scenes of the Queen stomping around the colony. Even though this music was used in _ALIENS_, Goldsmith's name was not mentioned in the closing credits. -Ripley's shoes are Reebok sneakers. You can see this when she's driving one of the cargo loaders. -In Aliens, Bishop says he has Hyperdine Systems 120-A/2. Terminators are Cyberdine, maybe James Cameron threw in a little connection between the two. - Adrian Biddle, the cinematographer for Aliens, has had a longtime collaboration with Ridley Scott. Apparently, Biddle was not the original cinematographer. In Alien3, Jordan Cronenweth was slated to the the cinematographer, but poor health forced him to turn the task over to Alex Thomson. - To get an idea of the wonderful attention to detail that was paid in the Alien films, freeze when Hicks is programming the Sentry guns. The screen depicts exactly what such a futuristic weapon would have -interrogation modes, choices of "soft, hard, semi-hard" targets, and IFF options - which means "Identification, Friend or Foe." _ALIEN^3_ There were at least 12 "scripts" for _ALIEN^3_ (derived from the May 1992 issue of PREMIERE) : 1. William Gibson wrote his based on a brief treatment given to him by Walter Hill, David Giler and Gordon Carroll. It was set in a Soviet space station ("It was sort of like a Cold War in space, with genetic manipulation of the alien replacing nuclear war," says Gibson). The 1987 writers strike interrupted the process, so Gibson went back to work on a novel. "Only one detail survived. 'In my draft, this woman has a bar code on the back of her hand,' he says. 'In the shooting script, one of the guys has a shaved head and a bar code on the back of his head. I'll always privately think that was my piece of ALIEN^3.'" 2. Eric Red was hired for a "five-week" job to convince Fox to dole out more development money. He collaborated with Renny Harlin. According to Red, "HE came up with the gene-splicing idea. 'In the third film, you needed a new alien. I suggested doing genetic experiments on the alien.' Red says that Hill and Giler were disorganized and irresponsible. 'They had no story or treatment or any real plan for the picture,' he says. Hill and Giler say the problem was Red's script; when Harlin read it, he quit the project." 3 - 4. David Twohy had a draft set in a penal colony in space without Ripley in it (since Hill and Giler planned to bring her back in the fourth film). But Joe Roth (head of Fox) insisted that he wouldn't make the film without Weaver. Twohy had just started to write Ripley into the script, when "one of the most transparent bits of studio treachery I've ever heard of" took place. At the same time Twohy was working, Fox hired Vincent Ward to collaborate with John Fasano to develop the script involving a community of monks (remember the seven dwarfs?). When a Los Angeles Times reporter called Twohy about "competing drafts of Alien^3", Twohy dumped the script and went off to do his own film. Fox insisted that Ward's script was for Alien 4. Twohy: The old adage is true: Hollywood pays its writers well but treats them like shit to make up for it. 5 - 9. Greg Pruss was hired next to rewrite Fasano's script (he had to leave to cowrite ANOTHER 48 HRS). Pruss did "five arduous drafts". Everyone moved to London where the crew was already beginning to design and build sets even as the script was being written. But the studio began having trouble with Ward, "who was less interested in Ripley or the alien than in his monks. 'The movie's called ALIEN because it's about the alien,' says Pruss. 'I couldn't get that across to Vincent.'" 10. Pruss quit and Ward was fired. Once David Fincher signed on as director, Fox hired Larry Ferguson(Beverly Hills Cop II) to do a "four-week emergency rewrite." Ferguson continued more or less with Ward's ideas and hence, the horrible idea with the seven dwarfs and Ripley as Wendy. Weaver and Fincher hated the script and the movie "almost fell apart". 11. Hill and Giler were paid to do another emergency rewrite. They moved the story back to Twohy's prison and the religious element evolved into what exists in the final draft. The studio and Weaver liked the script but Fincher had a few reservations. 12. After much bureaucratic bickering over the budget and schedule plus the firing of key participants, Rex Pickett was hired to collaborate with Fincher for yet another rewrite. This occurred when Hill and Gi ler were going on vacation. "It all blew up when Pickett wrote a memo salvaging Hill and Giler's script." - Prior to its release, _PREDATOR II_ came out in the theaters (which had an almost identical story to the original idea for _ALIEN^3_) near the end of _PREDATOR II_ we see a trophy case of different skulls, one of which is the skull of an alien. - Boss Film campaigned hard to win the effects job for Alien3, which is surprising - usually when you beg for a contract, you do a damn good job. They did all of the miniatures, space scenes, and even created a way of superimposing a computer-generated alien into the film. This is most visible when after killing Clemens the creature scurries after Ripley, straightens itself out, and then (in close-up next to her face) we see the subtle change in the texture of the creature, that tips us off to the transition from CGI to latex model. - The commandoes that search the Fury-161 complex are armed with pulse rifles, yet they sound different when fired. - In Alan Dean Foster's novelization of Alien3, the "rescue" ship that Bishop II arrived in was called the Patna, From the novel Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10. PLOT PROBLEMS AND LOOPHOLES This section contains plot problems that are SO BIG that there is no plausible explanation for it. If a good theory comes along, the point will be moved to section [11] frequently asked questions (at my discretion of course). _ALIENS_ - What infantry platoon in its right mind would enter an enclosed space carrying flamethrowers? - Several times we see aliens spewing acid that does not seem to damage the "sets" (or at least doesn't damage the "sets" as severely as the few drops that eat through 3 layers of the Nostromo in _ALIEN_) This is MOST evident in the air-duct chase scene. _ALIEN^3_ - How did the eggs get on the Sulaco? (refer to section [12]) - Why is the escape capsule so poorly designed? It gets ejected and then FALLS to the nearest planet. Hicks is killed when a SAFETY beam impales him. - How could Ripley hold on to the chestburster AFTER it tore through her chest? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS This section has been extended to allow for theoretical answers, the responses that aren't based on solid facts (yet provide a plausible answer) start with "[possibly]". If you believe you have a better explanation, don't hesitate to say so. Any questions that seem to have more than one plausible answer will appear in section [12] frequently discussed topics. _ALIEN_ Q: Is there a fan club I can join? A: Depending on when you read this FAQ, these clubs may have dissolved: The British Aliens Fan Club The Dropship PO Box 11 19 Compton Crescent Liskeard, Cornwall Northolt, Middx PL14 6YL UB5 5LS England England Q: What is the "Narcissus" ? A: The Narcissus is the name of the shuttle Ripley uses to escape from the Nostromo. Q: Who is the "Space Jockey"? A: This is the name given (by the technical staff) to the remains of the creature found on the derelict space craft. Q: What is written on Brett's cap? A: USCSS NOSTROMO 180286 Q: Why is there a "self-destruct button" on the Nostromo? A: This question refers to the control panel (labeled "Emergency Destruct System") that Ripley uses to cause the destruction of the Nostromo. [possibly] the "emergency destruct system" exists to protect company secrets in case the Nostromo is hijacked by a competator. (this would be a similar principle to espionage: when an enemy spy gets caught, he takes poison to kill himself so he cannot be tortured into giving away secrets). Or, a 20 million ton ship flying through space at very high speed tends to become a great danger when it gets off course by some malfunctions. If it's on collision course to some space station or colony, and there is no possibility of redirecting or stopping it, it would be very reasonable to put it on self-destruct and get away with the small shuttle. Q: The crew is awakened early out of their hypersleep to explore the planet from which the beacon is being transmitted, HOW early are they awakened? A: 10 months as indicated by Lambert (after the shuttle returns to the Nostromo) Q: Did the entire crew go down to the surface of LV-426? A: Yes. The Nostromo is a towing device for the 20,000,000 tons of ore. The entire crew went down to the planet's surface in the Nostromo (which detached itself from the cargo it was towing). Q: After the Nostromo blew up, and Ripley discovers that the alien is on board the escape capsule, why does the alien take SO long to attack her? A: [possibly] the alien was coming to the end of its life cycle, when Ripley happened to disturb it. It was slow to attack because it was dying. This theory is supported by an older version of the _ALIEN_ script where Ash reveals that the alien had made a nest and ensured the continutation of its species (cocooned Dallas and transformed Brett into an egg) at which time the alien itself would approach the end of its lifecycle; curl up and die. Q: Does the alien have eyes? How does it see? A: No. The alien was designed (by H.R. Giger) to "see" entirely by instinct. The chase scene in _ALIEN^3_ would appear to contradict this as it shows the chase through (what would appear to be) the alien's eyes. However, it is likely that this cinematic technique was used to show the chase, not through the aliens eyes, but through its "perception". (it is also likely that this alien, being so different from the ones we've already seen, has some kind of eyes) Q: How could I get a longer version of _ALIEN_ ? A: Easy. You'll need a laserdisc player with frame advance, a 4-head VCR with frame advance (frame advance allows for nice editing), the _ALIEN_ box set (on laser disc of course) and a 160 min tape (130 min would work too). Now, all you need is to know where the "extra" scenes (on the 3rd disk) can be re-added into the movie: - Kane prepares breakfast - don't bother, there's a fade between the hypersleep chamber and the breakfast scene... this is where you'd place the scene, but the fade makes it impossible to do a good job. - Crew listens to alien transmission - right after Parker agrees to going down to the planet's surface, and right before the shot of the ship approaching the planet. - Lambert confronts Ripley - some of the scene already exists, just cut THAT part out, and replace it with the longer scene. - After the acid - add this scene right after Dallas tells Brett to get back to work, and right before the scene where Parker and Brett are repairing the ship. - Ripley radios Parker - Add this right after the "post-acid" scene. Place it right before the scene where Parker and Brett are repairing the ship. - Discussion of what to do (after Kane's death) - originally, this scene was right before Kane's funeral, but it makes alot more sense to put it in immediately AFTER Kane's funeral. - Brett's death - difficult to place, you have to replace some of the film, all you miss out on is a few cuts back to Jones. (if you're rea lly skilled, you can re-integrate them). Put it right before the scene where Parker is drinking coffee. [WARNING: the suspense building heart-beat sound in the background is not present in the extended death scene] - Alien in the airlock - don't bother with these two scenes, they don't fit in the movie very well. - Ripley talks to Lambert - add it as Ash walks out o f the room (after Dallas's death). But before Ripley looks at Lambert (you'll have to cut that bit out.) - Lambert's death - too bad, there's no sound, don't add it in. - Cocoon scene - originally, it was after Ripley started running for the shuttle (no wonder it created a pacing problem). If you add it in after she discovers Parker and Lambert's bodies, but before she starts running, then it doesn't affect the pacing. That's it. The movie is now about 2 hrs and 8 minutes long. Q: I recall seeing extra scenes in the movie when I saw it in the theaters, am I imagining things? A: Probably. However, during December 1978 a rough cut of _ALIEN_ was screened in London, England (it was 2 hours & 45 minutes long) and it included ALL of the completed "cut" scenes (as described earlier in the FAQ). Q: When the crew first sets out to search the ship for the alien: * Ash has made a "detection" units (motion tracker) * Ripley asks "how do they work?" * Ash VERY hesitantly replies "micro changes in air density" * when searching, Ripley detects something on the OTHER side of an airtight door (after all, they ARE in a spaceship) which turns out to be Jones. * Ripley makes the comment "micro changes in air density my ass" This point never gets raised again in the film, what is its significance? A: [possibly] Ash's hesitation in explaining the operation of the motion detector was because the "real" mechanism would be difficult to explain and he was assuming that she wouldn't understand him anyway... so he pauses before he finds the words to form an "adequate" but not very detailed description. The tone of Ash's voice in response to Ripley's question was somewhat condescending. Ripley's later comment, "micro changes in air density, my ass" was a foreshadow to show that Ash was hiding something and that she was onto him (cf: she realizes that he didn't give the full explanation of the motion tracker's operating mechanism) Q: How come Ripley managed to survive in the shuttle without the coolant that Lambert and Parker were collecting? A: [possibly] since there was only one hypersleep chamber in the shuttle, Lambert, Parker and Ripley would have to stay concious while waiting to be rescued. Since Ripley was the only survivor, she went into hypersleep and didn't need the coolant due to her hybernation. _ALIENS_ Q: What does "Sulaco" mean? A: "Sulaco" was the town in which most of Joseph Conrad's book entitled "Nostromo" took place. Q: Is LV-426 also called "Acheron" ? A: There doesn't seem to be any evidence of this in the movie, the name was given to the planet in older drafts of the script, the Alan Dean Foster novelization, the movie-comic as well as the RPG. Q: What IS the name of the company? A: The Weyland-Yutani Corporation. It can be seen, mirror-reversed, on a blast shield after the discussion of the atmosphere processor blowing up. It appears as "Weylan-Yutani" on all beer cans in _ALIEN_ but is too small. In _ALIEN^3_ it is written on a computer screen in an extreme close-up near the end. In the director's cut of _ALIENS_, during the additional footage of the colony (prior to the alien infestation) we see a logo of the company which reads: Weyland-Yutani \ /\ / \ / \ / \/ \/ Building Better Worlds Q: What is the name of the colony? A: Hadley's Hope (as revealed in the director's cut of _ALIENS_) Q: Why don't the colonists on LV-426 pick up the derelict SOS? A: In a cut scene from ALIENS, the derelict ship has been damaged by volcanic activity and, as a result, the beacon was rendered inoperable. [James Cameron, STARLOG #125, DEC 1987] Q: How did the colony get infected? A: In my [James Cameron] version of the Alien life cycle, the infestation of the colony would proceed like this : 1. Russ Jorden attacked, they radio for rescue. 2. Rescue party investigates ship...several members facehuggered... brought back to base for treatment. 3. Several "chestbursters" free themselves from hosts, escape into ducting, begin to grow. 4. Extrapolating from entomology (ants, termites, etc.), an immature female, one of the first to emerge from hosts, grows to become a new queen, while males become drones or warriors. Subsequent female larvae remain dormant or are killed by males... or biochemically sense that a queen exists and change into males to limit waste. The Queen locates a nesting spot (the warmth of the atmosphere station heat exchanger level being perfect for egg incubation) and becomes sedentary. She is then tended by the males as her abdomen swells into a distended egg sac. The drones and warriors also secrete a resinous building material to line the structure, creating niches in which they may lie dormant when food supplies and/or hosts for further reproduction become depleted (i.e. when all the colonists are used up). They are discovered in this condition by the troopers, but quickly emerge when new hosts present themselves. [STARLOG #125, DEC 1987] Q: Is Ferro's first name "Mira" ? A: No, according to the on-board computer on the Sulaco, Ferro's first name starts with a "C". The confusion with her name is caused by Vasquez when she says (to Ferro): [...hey mira, who's Snow White?] However, in Spanish (Vasquez is Mexican), "mira" means "look", so Vasquez is actually saying, "hey look, who's Snow White?". Q: How many colonists are there? A: There were 158 colonists on LV-426 [...you were responsible for the deaths of 157 colonists... Ripley (Aliens)] plus Newt. This number is also visible on a sign that was on-screen during the scene where Newt's parents are going out to the derelict craft (director's cut only). Q: How many aliens where on LV-426 when the marines arrived? A: [possibly] around 156. (Newt was still alive and at least one of the other colonists hadn't been ch