RM - Alien (Theatrical Release) Deconstruction

Title: Alien
Director: Ridley Scott
Release Date: 1979
Budget: $11,000,000 (estimated)
Takings:  $60,150,933 (USA)

20^th Century Fox

Lucas Films THX

Subtitles are over a space background, panning shot establishing the location of the movie. Text is in white. Eerie music being played. Blue blocks appear one by one as the shot pans passed a planet. Each block turns white as time progresses. These blocks spell out the title of the film – Alien, unusual way of picturing the film’s title.

Fade out and in of shots used to change the location of the film, although still in space but now focusing on a spaceship. Music increasing in volume. Text appears on screen gives anchorage of the name of the spaceship, crew, cargo and course. Music is still in the background but overlaid by the sound of engines. Shot has changed to a close-up of the spaceship but from underneath.

Jump cut to inside, with several shots panning around corridors – setting the location signifying where the aliens can hide and move. Music has started again adds tension. All the rooms are empty although there are boxes and papers shaking. Leading to a false scare? Not much shot variation yet, the majority are establishing shots all of which pan.



Shot to shot used between a helmet and a computer screen, music has stopped again but has been replaced by a buzzing. Computer screen suddenly turns on, audience jumps. Again lack of shot variation as only four shots are used. Screen suddenly goes black and is lightened up again quickly by lights turning on.


Tracking shot into the crew’s bedroom all in their own beds, similar style to the ones which appear in Avatar, however music is increasing in tempo adds tension. Something going to happen? Lights turn on and top of the beds open. Music turns from being eerie to calm and relaxing.


Group shots used and fade ins and outs used to change the focus and signify time has passed. Shows them having fun and eating during this sequence a range of shots are used to show the crew and let the audience familiar themselves with them.

Scene end - 8:53

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/

Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_(film)