Alien (1979) Nostromo Filming Model Miniature l Prop Store Live Auction 2020

The 11-foot Nostromo principal filming model miniature from Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror film Alien. The crew of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's USCSS Nostromo were awakened from hypersleep by a distress signal from a desolate moon, and soon found themselves hunted by the deadly xenomorph. The Nostromo, a tug-ship that pulled the massive flat refinery model, is the primary spacecraft featured in the film and is the setting for the majority of its events.
The tug-ship was called the Leviathan in early script drafts and takes its final name, Nostromo, from a 1904 Joseph Conrad novel that was significant to Alien writer Dan O'Bannon. The look of the ship was explored for months by concept artists Chris Foss and Ron Cobb; Foss especially produced a large volume of concepts for the exterior while Cobb focused on interiors. Cobb was focused on function as well as form, and therefore had done some exterior designs as he thought through the logic of his interiors. The producers and director had trouble agreeing on a final design and eventually a large number of the concepts were passed to Academy Award-winning effects supervisor Brian Johnson. Johnson assembled a veteran effects team for Alien and a number of his crew were involved with the Nostromo final design and construction, including Ron Hone, Bill Pearson, Simon Deering, Martin Bower, and a number of others. Working primarily from one of Cobb's exterior designs, Hone and Pearson built a final prototype of the Nostromo as a small 3-D model, which Johnson had Ridley Scott approve, enabling the team to proceed with construction on the final filming models.
Learn more at PropStore.com/LiveAuction

[@kenernestnation]

Hope you at least 3D scanned the thing so it won’t be lost forever in some private collectors hands.

[@jollygoodshow]

I'm sure it went to Peter Jackson, so I'm sure it's available to scan

[@avary]

I saw this original model, as well as others from the film like the refinery, shortly after the film's original release on display at the Los Angeles Museum of Science and Industry Aviation Museum. It was an extraordinary and inspirational experience to view them up close and in detail. I recall the Nostromo having a tiny decal on it, near the rear of the craft on the starboard side, as if painted on by tiny ore workers, that said "Miss Piggy" in a 70's style cursive script (like Shampoo) and with a little cartoon Miss Piggy face. It was as big as my pinkie nail, and it would never show up on film (and doesn't, I've since looked), but it was an easter egg detail that showed the model maker's playfulness and attention to detail.

[@iansmith6166]

Gorgeous. Hope it ends up in a museum for everyone to see/enjoy. It's a shame when objects such as this get hidden away in private hands for decades. Look what happened to this model the last time it was in private hands.

[@itsvoogle]

Agreed these props should all be in a museum for everyone to enjoy!

[@Drforbin941]

Yep..that's capitalism

[@dellawrence4323]

@@Drforbin941And If it was socialism it would have been burned for firewood by the starving peasants who couldn't afford to heat their homes, comrade.

[@Drforbin941]

@@dellawrence4323 No. I don't think so capitalist pig

[@georgedixon9863]

@@Drforbin941 Venezuala says "hold my beer" - if you think it should be in a museum then raise the funds and donate it!

[@nigelcarren]

I wish their was a permanent Alien museum rather like the Harry Potter museum! A place where I could make an annual pilgrimage and maybe drink a glass of black-goo with maybe a chest-buster burger!! All before exiting through the gift-shop to buy yet ANOTHER bag of Nostromo fridge-magnets and 'The more people I meet the more I love my Jonesy' T-shirts!

[@darioinfini]

I agree, have thought the same thing. They should have the Sulaco and APC in there.

[@shanefitzsimons8304]

Absolutely brilliant idea This film I saw 1979 I was 20 years old and it has been apart of my life ever since Nothing before or after has never come close to matching it

[@nigelcarren]

@@shanefitzsimons8304 Then this makes you 'Alright' as far as I am concerned mate! I agree 100%. My introduction to it was when my dad handed me an 'Omni' magazine to shut a ten year old me up whilst delayed at Gatwick airport for my first ever foreign holiday.... I didn't understand much of the magazine, and then I turned a page and there was a still of the long-dead Space Jockey recumbent in his chair.... This was the precise moment that my imagination exploded!!🏆🇬🇧

[@nigelcarren]

@@darioinfini Indeed Dario, just like this, there are some Alien Ressurection props in here I think but watch for the ENORMOUS Lewis and Clark from Event Horizon at the start!! I was so happy to discover this beautiful ship wasn't broken up!! 🏆🛸

[@shanefitzsimons8304]

@@nigelcarren I was living in south Africa at the time saw the original advertisement at the cinema The green egg and fluorescent yellow glow The best sci-fi movie in think ever made

[@DeadAbeVigoda]

I saw this ship at Navy Pier in Chicago back around 1979/1980. I reached over and touched it when the security guard wasn't looking. It seemed neglected even then, with bits of melted glue oozing out of the ship and cheap greeblies carelessly slapped on. I was astonished at how the filming process transformed it into a massive, realistic looking vessel on screen.

[@dellawrence4323]

Wow, $500.000 it was left out in the rain for years with nobody giving a shit about it until it was restored a few years ago.

[@Will_14_years_ago]

One of the best models ever built. This was from 1978-79 and i cant think of anything comparable to it today 45-46 years later

[@centaur1a]

Aaah! The memories of not only ship, but the entire movie of “Alien.” It was the first film that gave me those many sleepless nights of both combining “horror and science fiction “ in a well made film. After that, the rest were just sequels.

[@Right_Said_Brett]

Agreed. Alien is the original and best.

[@Lumibear.]

As I understood it, one of the more significant reasons for strapping on a bunch of extra lights to the underside of the ship was to better obscure the forklift that was lowering it.

[@rexmundi3108]

Stored out doors for years...makes me want to cry. Great restoration.

[@marcusdamberger]

Why would someone take on owning this massive thing after the movie was made, then not have the means of properly storing it away? I guess they got another Bentley for the garage, and out the Nostromo went. Never mind a car can withstand outdoors way better than a model.

[@Markus_Andrew]

I first saw Alien when it was released in 1979. During the landing sequence there's a side-on shot of the Nostromo descending among the rocks and mountains, and I thought to myself, "That looks just like a Chris Foss painting come to life". Then I saw his name on the end credits. I was already a huge fan of his artwork and it was a buzz to see that he was one of the concept artists.

[@ansiaaa]

I remember when it was found damaged and in need of restoration. they made a video about it and they even showed how they did it. it was quite a few years ago if I'm not mistaken

[@therealknapster]

Thanks for saving it , for film History

[@justjohnny05]

"....this belongs in a Museum!...."

[@SINTD_666]

I saw what you did there, you sneaked an Indiana Jones line in there. Good one.

[@johnellison3030]

Congratulations on restoring a piece of cinematic history.

[@presidentpotato222]

My favorite movie of all time

[@jagc1969]

Mine too.

[@not_enoughmana]

"This is Wegley and Begley... last survivors of the Nostromo... playing possum"

[@landryprichard6778]

World champions at playing possum.

[@joefishtale]

Thank you for reminding us that watching KZbin is socially distanced. Here I was thinking that I could catch Covid through the screen, and you set my mind at ease.

[@carstenkoloc5226]

This film is an MASTERPIECE !!!

[@niles6159]

For anyone slightly confused by the "spaceship" in Alien.. there are two ships: The Nostromo and the Corgo Refinery it was hauling in the movie. The Nortromo is what landed on the planet surface. I really wish this video explained this detail.

[@BlunderMunchkin]

The video did explain it...

[@joh22293]

" I really wish this video explained this detail." It does... did you blink?

[@niles6159]

@@joh22293 Ha, I guess I did! I stand corrected. Thanks.

[@jsikke]

Three (3) ships. The two you mention + the alien spaceship.

[@stevepreskitt283]

@@jsikke Four - don't forget the Narcissus!

[@ormsk954]

Denny Ayling who worked on lighting and special effects told me in the 1980s he left his light meter on the Nostromo while filming. I have never spotted it in the movie, I guess it is just part of the 'widget collection'.

[@thothheartmaat2833]

it just added squares and bubbles that were intended to be part of the final design but never made it.. until it did..

[@ptonfire1]

Ron Cobb is the man... r.i.p

[@thothheartmaat2833]

the nostromo is up there with top sci fi ships like the millenium falcon and discovery from 2001 a space odyssey.. sick burn to the uss enterprise...

[@joostdriesens3984]

Never heard of that one... 🤣😉

[@lonnybush5612]

Love this ship! (Tug)!! Like very larger runabout. 🤔

[@arek2318]

Amazing work

[@TodaySatan]

AWESOME!!!

[@jerrymail]

It's really strange to buy a model like this one, so huge and quite famous, to keep it in a garage and even outdoor !

[@quantize]

insane is a word i'd use...to purchase a film classic and then let possums shit and die in it?

[@pryles2000]

Love it love it love it!

[@bigappleINA]

Impresionante esa miniatura!

[@patrolmars3371]

If you just have the resources keep making these videos. They are such great peeks to the film history.

[@NeilPeelParanormalPeepShow]

I saw this model up close at the special effects unit at Bray Studios, not Shepperton as stated..Bray was the effects location studio and Shepperton was the live action sets. Nick Alder showed me and my family around the closed studio effects set. I managed to get in via someone we knew who worked there. I got to meet Martin Bower who was the chief model maker there and he kindly gave me bits for my own models.

[@frenchyroastify]

I'm holding out for the $80,000 Lego version.

[@Beerbear4U]

Nave Nostro, BlueBrixx-Special, Nr: 103712, 3275pcs! i think under 220€ ( hope so! ) comes in summer/autum in germany. (o.O)/`

[@byronwellburn]

Thank you

[@bonecos_do_maninho1971]

Excelente trabalho 😊👍🏻

[@fizzyridertoo]

Brilliant restoration and I think at least one of the original modelers may have been a Dr Who fan, judging by the two appendages sticking out of the front. They are dead ringers for the "arms" of a Dalek.

[@ned900]

really cool

[@Skyman2901]

Was so lucky to see the Nostromo a few years ago out in LA.A massive Thank you to you guys and especially to Alex Rodgers for making it happen. x Has it been sold now????

[@ksenomorf4566]

never been a fan of those bottom lights.. looks like christmas decorations :C

[@GrimWillows]

Eaglemoss have a fantastic XL replica for around £32, in the uk, on amazon (april 2022) just got one and added a dark tone wash to dirty it up a little more. The model looks great and is a decent weight too.

[@slicktop2jz855]

Wow.

[@WickedScott]

Nice! I could never really tell what the ship looked like in the movie.

[@jacquia5762]

que belleza de nave a esa escala, impresionante !!!

[@coreycarlson9790]

Working on a channel related to talking about props, where there at today and pop culture related things. If any one has interested stay tuned! I have had some great ideas of things to talk about in the making Starting with this August 28th auction!

[@coldcanuck6091]

I REALLY wish you had gotten the docking tube right, it may be a small detail to some less-than-avid fans, but those who fixed on the mechanical side of that universe saw that detail was wrong, right away. Look to the video at 1:24 to see how it really was oriented, then compare to your version. Don't take me wrong, your staff did a great job of restoration, but something as easily viewable as that tube should have been fixed.

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Spooky ship..but cool.

[@petermot645]

It should be hanging in the Smithsonian museum !

[@crawlinginfilm9683]

08:01 Undulating rows of little lights - always confused me in the film (engines or lights? if lights then why? why looked so "bedraggled" ?) - do they have a story ?

[@krltslnd4186]

😍😍😍

[@X-Gen-001]

Damn I missed the auction lol. As if I could ever afford it. Funny that the last passengers were a couple of possums. Are we sure they weren't more victims of the alien?

[@stephenkissane4268]

I love nostromo more than Sulaco which is also cool

[@AH-sr5px]

Incorrect the miniatures when filmed at Bray Studios outside Windsor some 15 miles from Shepperton.

[@thekaiser4333]

$300 for just a model?! That is quite expensive. How much did it actually fetch in your auction and who bought it?

[@SENATORPAIN1]

it only cost 300 dollars?

[@Smile4theKillCam456]

@@SENATORPAIN1 $300-500K

[@B0M0A0K]

That's great, but what was the final bid price. How much did it go for at auction?

[@jeffwads6158]

500K

[@burningb2439]

Better raid my Piggy bank , wish they would bring the Nostromo out in a kit but not with the Movie star price tag , I just luv this Ship first time I saw it and it stands head n shoulders over the recent Alien Company ships .

[@fw1421]

In some of the close ups in this video it looks like it’s starting to de-laminate in spots.

[@peter486]

why does the models looks way better than any cgi..

[@nel1962]

I didn't hear him mention the principle model builder of this very miniature, Martin Bower (just saying, "the model makers"). Maybe, I should watch it again.

[@FPdesignfab]

How much did it sell for at auction? Can you say where it is now? or who owns it?

[@danieljohnmorris]

Stored outdoors??!!!

[@archierri]

it goes wrong for the rest of a franchise- what a proper estimation of the "movies" after ALIENS part

[@TechnoGlobalist]

Is there a prop-museum over there I can go and visit?

[@butwait]

I only know this 'widgeting' as kitbashing

[@outlet6989]

Just imagine if it was designed by H. R. Geiger. It will probably be more expensive than a 427 Cobra when it's sold.

[@georgemartinez1720]

Do this models have interior detail as well

[@thatguywhocleansaquariums4839]

This ship belongs at Tesla - a goal to look back on in the future.

[@richardoldham8781]

What was highest bid back in August?

[@Drteslacoiler]

how much is it?

[@thothheartmaat2833]

so who has the refinery?

[@flat4-]

Who won it eventually ?

[@bayareaartist999]

what happened in the auction?

[@wildman2012]

Did it sell?

[@jorgecabezas1966]

The nostromo main ship was the size of station sevastopol

[@aaaaa-nw8hc]

In fact, this is not the Nostromo as we know it, but a landing module that arrived in LV-426.

[@erickohlhorst747]

I don't believe that is correct, the Nostromo was a deep space tug pulling an ore refinery. The refinery was not considered part of the Nostromo. There were different pieces of equipment the tug could pull to include the refinery we are familiar with. There is actually a sequence in the movie where the locking ring attracted to the Nostromo releases leaving the refinery in orbit

[@grantmcgowan8399]

@@erickohlhorst747 Perfectly correct Eric. Also, none of the action took place on the refinery, so we have no idea what the interior looked like! Fun idea: What if the crew were really hauling 'black goo'.. instead of ore... but never knew it... apart from Ash of course..!

[@jagc1969]

You are wrong. This is the Nostromo, which is a deep space tug. What was left in orbit was the refinery the Nostromo was towing.

[@raynash4117]

Omg

[@miller13ico]

How is the price factored?

[@marklola12]

it was UNSOLD so not sure if they still have it though does not surprise me with the price they had on it. its not worth more than 20k

[@rupertcornelius]

THEY TRYING TO SAY BOB WRECKED IT?

[@rocklobstersteve]

It didn't sell.

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Shame your website is for sale too...

[@intorsusvolo7834]

Yellow Nostromo would have been too bright and “cheerful.” Good decision to make it gray.

[@pulle88]

will always be better than CGI movies of today..... pure crap they are

[@Zarcondeegrissom]

oof, I can only hope that ended up in the Smithsonian or another museum instead of someplace it will never be seen again. wandered by due to just watching another unrelated prop vid that the model maker was mentioning the color was "zink primer" because it can be polished up nicely, not 'gray', guess it doesn't matter now, oh well. sad. RIP any hopes of buying a UV'ed and texture maped 3D OBJ modle of the ship.

[@davidanderson1639]

I heard rumours that Peter Jackson had purchased it & it’s gone into his already vast film prop collection. It think it’s in safe hands; Jackson has one of the original King Kong armatures, the HAL 9000 eye/lens & hundreds of other pieces of cinematic history.

[@Right_Said_Brett]

Haha. Two possum skeletons!

[@rexmundi3108]

Space jockeys?

[@radioflyer68911]

Too bad you need a flashlight to see it in the movie.

[@curtisnewton895]

sorry but this is not the nostromo, it's the ship they use to go on the planet

[@stuartwesthall]

It IS the Nostromo. The big platform left in orbit was the refinery that the Nostromo was towing.

[@peterjones3757]

Lol...all that work restoring it, and it didnt sell for that Ridiculous price of 500k, for that size keep it in a museum & just buy a 2 foot model kit for under 1000 and still have space in your house to display it.

[@shawncolton9507]

If that's the Nostromo, what was the big ship that it docks in called?

[@danfishlock8306]

The Nostromo was a tug boat. It was hauling a refinery of some kind.

[@charlesforbin6937]

I'd buy That for a dollar.......

[@brentpolk2431]

If I hear Star Wars on more fuk'n time! Starb Worbs is dead! Disney killed it. Let it rest in peace...

[@ninaaniston1717]

“We are making today a socially distanced video piece” a great way to alienate your audience out of the bat. See you when your videos stop being socially awkward.

[@requus]

As Indiana Jones would say.....

[@chromosome24]

um.. spoiler alert!

[@comments.are.turned.off...]

What idiot has a piece of one-off art and leaves it outside in the rain and sun. You wouldn't even do that with your kids paintings.

[@amyjojinkerson6745]

anyone that kind of money on this needs their headsexamind

[@TheMoneypresident]

It's not that great. Never heard anyone ever talk about it.

[@humansrants1694]

Was from a film called Alien.

[@TheMoneypresident]

@@humansrants1694 I know that Einstein. Nobody has ever talked about the ship as being cool.

[@mcapps1]

I wish you guys would have done an orbit of the ship while you were talking. I don't really want to see you talking I want to see the ship while you're talking about it.