H.R. Giger-designed Special Effects Mechanical Alien Head | Alien (1979)

An H.R. Giger-designed special effects mechanical alien head from the production of Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror Alien. The Alien stalked the crew of the Nostromo, picking them off one by one after bursting through the chest of executive officer Kane (John Hurt).
This head was constructed for the production by David Watling, who also previously worked on the mechanical R2-D2 unit on Star Wars. Although Carlo Rambaldi was commissioned to make three mechanical alien heads, he was busy working on another film at the time, so Watling was asked to construct a back-up in case Rambaldi's were delayed or below par.
Watling's head was intended to be operated via a radio-control system, whereas Rambaldi's was operated using hand levers. The head was based on H.R. Giger's iconic design and, judging by the piece's airbrushed paintwork, it was also likely to have been hand-painted and finished by Giger himself. Ultimately, Rambaldi delivered his three Alien heads on time as promised, and Watling's, though well documented in numerous interviews about it being built for production, was never used on camera.
The head is largely made of resin and fibreglass, and has a moveable jaw and toothed 'tongue' that can protrude from the mouth. The front of the head is shaped like a human skull, as per Giger's original design, with resin teeth that are plated to look metallic. The back of the head is missing, with cables protruding, revealing where the controls were attached to manipulate the mouth. A headcap is fitted within, allowing the head to be comfortably worn by the Alien performer. The head shows wear from production use and age. The jaw and 'tongue' are both mounted on a slide mechanism, with the chrome plated teeth on the tongue spring loaded and mechanised.
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[@Narko_Marko]

i love how it is asymmetrical, When you watch old movies with handmade props you can notice the human error, it makes it more realistic than cgi for some reason. Nothing in nature is perfect like a mirrored 3d model.

[@sgregg5257]

Like all movie props, the less you see it the better it is. No movie prop, no matter how much you put into it, is going to hold up to full lighting and close inspections. If you look at any of the films all the Alien segments are measured in seconds of film each or much less. Even the last one in Alien is broken up by the strobing lights as it climbs out of it's niche on the shuttle. Keeping things dark and creepy helps also keep it real.

[@mandocalrissian6454]

An absolutely beautiful piece.

[@pippayoung9845]

Incredible design.

[@VesuviusAntaria]

A dragonfly larvae has an arm that extends when it catches prey. That reminds me the most of the concept of alien.

[@ChronicBreakdown]

Truly an incredible design. Iconic, and horrifying.

[@paulbateman858]

Thanks for this Stephen, great stuff.

[@brooklyn5754]

The Alien Queen behind him though

[@nichole8609]

I'd love to own a piece of Ginger's art.

[@ArtistKasimirMyller]

How can we be sure about it's authenthicity?

[@LadyLeomon]

Given what we now know of the Xenomorph origins I think the human-looking inner skull is a genetic memory leftover from their creation via Shaw’s corpse, pretty much the only one (apart from the human-like digits and being bipedal). Thanks for the vid! Laters 💙🐱💙

[@vhscopyofseinfeld]

Screw Prometheus. I maintain it’s just inherited from its host.

[@LadyLeomon]

@@vhscopyofseinfeld can’t do it dude, even back in the first movie if light hit a Xenomorph’s head _just right_ you can clearly see what looks like a human skull behind the Xeno-face. Not sure if it was intentional or not but since Ridley Scott directed the prequel that’s my theory and I’m sticking to it!

[@DrWhom]

or it is just genes taken from Kane

[@DrWhom]

@@LadyLeomon yes of course but this comes straight from the necronomicon

[@Marauder1981]

So, for how much was is sold to whom?

[@mauricevandraanen4286]

That fake ALIEN head nearly looks as authentic but it is a FAKE or lets say a REPLICA