Despite a sequel that some consider better than the original and further spin-offs and sequels that have almost completely ruined the franchise, “Alien” has survived as one of the very best sci-fi/horror films of all time. The 1979 classic, directed by Ridley Scott, changed cinema forever and is now the subject of a new deep-dive documentary titled “Memory: The Origins of Alien.”
In the first trailer for the documentary, we see that ‘Memory’ covers all aspects of the “Alien” creation and mythos. From the art of H.R. Giger to Scott’s intent on making a sci-fi/horror film that is about something more than just scares, the documentary covers it all.
In our review of the film from this year’s Sundance, we said, “This is a hearty, four-course meal for film fans, which, once again, demonstrates that the study of a film can be just as invigorating an experience as the actual film itself.”
The doc features interviews with Veronica Cartwright, Roger Christian, Tom Skerritt, Ronald Shusett, and Roger Corman. ‘Memory’ is directed by Alexandre O Philippe, who previously helmed the film “78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene.”
“Memory: The Origins of Alien” arrives in theaters and VOD on October 4.
Here’s the synopsis:
Memory: The Origins of Alien unearths the largely untold origin story behind Ridley Scott’s cinematic masterpiece, and reveals a treasure trove of never-before-seen materials from the archives of creators Dan O’Bannon and H.R. Giger – including original story notes, rejected designs and storyboards, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and O’Bannon’s original 29 page script from 1971, titled Memory. The documentary also takes fans on an exploration of the mythical underpinnings of the film and dedicates focus on the film’s iconic “Chestburster” scene.
