Open iTunes to preview, buy, and download this movie.
Plot Summary
When the crew of the space-tug Nostromo responds to a distress signal from a barren planet, they discover a deadly life form that breeds within human hosts. Now the crew must fight to stay alive and prevent the creature from reaching Earth. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Sigourney Weaver in her breakout performance, this legendary first film in the Alien saga will leave you breathless!
Credits
Director
Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
97%- Reviews Counted: 91
- Fresh: 88
- Rotten: 3
- Average Rating: 8.8/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: An old-fashioned scary movie set in a highly realistic sci-fi future, made all the more believable by expert technical craftmanship.
Fresh: Alien looks amazing, almost like a new film.
Fresh: Ridley Scott's new cut won't change the way people think about the movie, but it reinforces the film's strengths without alienating the series' biggest fans.
Fresh: Besides Weaver and Skeritt, the top-notch ensemble includes two of Britain's best actors -- Ian Holm, as the untrustworthy science officer, and John Hurt.
Customer Reviews
Best Space Horror Ever Made
If you haven't seen this movie yet, then you're probably young and just haven't had the chance. If you're older, they you've either been cut off from civilization or you're just a weenie. Man up and see this!
By the way, this is far creepier than any of the lame sequels.
Defined the Genre.....
When this movie first came to the theaters in the late 1970s I hadn't seen it. The first Alien movie I saw in the theater was Aliens, its sequel. While Aliens is one of the best sci-fi sequels ever made, this film is perhaps the best sci-fi/horror movie ever made. It's one of those rare movies that I enjoy watching over again - once every couple of years; and I usually hate repeating movies once I've seen them.
This movie has some of the most memorable scenes, which has led to it pretty much defining the genre. Recently I had the pleasure of actually reading the original screenplay, which is a work of art in itself. I find it amazing how the sparse descriptions in that script were brought to life so magnificently in this film.
The film also provides us with one of the most eerie atmospheres ever filmed, both on the mysterious planet our adventurers find themselves marooned on, as well as the claustrophobic environment of the space ship, which has been invaded by an alien monster so realistic, yet so seldom revealed, that the dread and fear is created by what you can't see, as much as what you can.
It's the fear factor that made Alien one of the most talked about movies of the early 1980s; more so than The Exorcist and Jaws. It was on a level far above those former efforts in sheer terror. While I've enjoyed all of the original Alien sequels, this is the creepiest of them all.
There are also some top-notch performances from Sigourney Weaver (in perhaps her most memorable role) Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Yaphet Kotto, John Hurt and Ian Holm.
This is a film that aimed to make money the old fashioned way, by earning it with great thought , imagination and preparation from the dialogue, special effects, acting, sets, score, cinematography, costumes and everything else that goes into great movie making.
Unfortunately the Alien franchise deteriorated after the 3rd sequel. Attempts to mix the franchise with the inferior Predator franchise was a huge disappointment. Those films are examples of how to make money and not earn it. If your exposure to Alien films began with the Alien V. Predator films, I highly encourage and recommend that you return to the original, and find out what all the fuss was about.
The director's cut doesn't really add anything new to the plot, but it does have some scenes that are interesting and quite well done. If you're not sure which version to watch, I recommend watching the original first, then if you want to purchase the film, purchase the director's cut. That way you've seen the basic story, and will enjoy some extras once you've purchased it.
Masterpiece
One of the best movies ever made.
Viewers Also Bought
- Alien 3
- David Fincher
- View In iTunes
- Aliens
- James Cameron
- View In iTunes
- Alien Resurrection
- Jean-Pierre Jeunet
- View In iTunes
- Predator
- John McTiernan
- View In iTunes
- The Thing
- John Carpenter
- View In iTunes
- $14.99
- Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Released: 1979
- © 1979, 2003 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Available Bundle
- Alien Anthology
- Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Released: Sep 30, 2014
- View In iTunes