Nobody heard the screams 30 years ago

Thirty years ago I was 9. I was still dizzy with anticipation for Empire Strikes Back and was in awe of the special effects of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (the drydock scene has one of the best beauty shots of any spaceship – ever). I was only marginally aware of another cinematic phenomenom that was unleashed on the public in 1979: Alien.

It wasn’t until I was 12 that I was first exposed to this film via the comic book adaptation by Heavy Metal, Alien: The Illustrated Story. The typography on the first inner spread made such an impact on me that I redrew it over and over again (little did I know at the time that it would gradually lead to my current love of type as well!). I also remember a friend of mine at school has the same book, although his parents had gone through it with a black marker and censored all the swearing – I hadn’t actually noticed the swearing until I saw his copy!

I can’t remember the first time I saw the film. All I remember is that I watched it when it was shown on the TV, very late at night. I must have been about 13-14 as it used to take about five years for cinema releases to find their way onto the telly. I was instantly in love with the film, even though I kind of knew the plot from the comic book. But the book was nothing like the film. The way it was shot, the madly unusual spaceship, the lived-in technology (it felt like it was real!) and the Alien itself …

It was one of the quintessential films of my youth and one that has stayed with me over the years. It seems like all the great SF films came out in the late 70s and early 80s, but that may just be my nostalgia vision kicking in – these films shaped much of my life and I am richer for it!

Anyway, enjoy the trailer and – more importantly – put the DVD in your player now; kick back and enjoy!