Alien (1979)
(Ridley Scott, UK/US 1979, 117 min., 35mm)
Sigourney Weaver proves herself a courageous warrior as her working-class spaceship crew steadily fall prey to a terrifyingly unpredictable creature in Scott’s futuristic spin on the haunted house film and the first in a hugely successful franchise series, known also for one of the most memorable taglines: “In space no one can hear you scream.” The alien, inspired by the sleek, biomechanical designs of H. R. Giger (who was also part of the special effects team), is infamous for its gut-splattering first appearance. Jerry Goldsmith’s score for the film is as much soundscape as it is accompaniment, setting the stage for the horrific, claustrophobic chase sequences.
Introduction by and post-screening Q&A with Mark Watters, director of the Beal Institute at the Eastman School of Music
The Art of Music in Movies is supported by the Rodney Hatch Family at the Rochester Area Community Foundation.