Giger's Alien - 1979 Documentary

Giger's Alien - 1979 Documentary. Featuring behind-the-scenes on Ridley Scott's Alien with H.R. Giger. www.avpgalaxy.net

[@uplinkx1126]

Best alien design ever.

[@olentangy74]

Alien is an absolute masterpiece. It was so original and groundbreaking, one of the first sci-fi horror films.

[@Njbear7453]

olentangy74 THE first sci- fi horror film in my opinion. What's better ? 2001?

[@oskulock]

John Carpenter's The Thing is the only one that comes even close imo.

[@SloppyJoe1100]

Breen Machine yes

[@juanborjas6416]

Well, there was Frankenstein, Creature from The Black Lagoon, The Invisible Man, This Island Earth, Planet of The Vampires, Fiend Without a Face, etc.

[@olentangy74]

Juan Borjas Yeah those were monster movies and sci- fi , and none of them were not really that scary. Alien WAS.

[@1080TJ]

A very calm and pleasant documentary about creating the ultimate nightmare fuel.

[@Javert2012]

TJ Hastie right on the money, TJ.

[@turtleryde9365]

Without Giger Alien wouldn't have worked

[@crossface5710]

or dan, or the cast, or all the other people that worked on it, lol. it was a joint effort. the only person who didnt really contribute anything to it (despite being the guy who took all the credit) was ridley scott. in fact ridley remade the same film again twice, without all the other people and guess what? we ended up with prometheus and the bomb, alien covenant, a film that makes alien res look like a masterpiece y comparison.

[@vanleeuwenhoek]

Yes, Alien would have sat around collecting gov't checks, watching Jerry Springer, eating cold hot dogs from the pack ...

[@TheSanityInspector]

Yes, his vision was so dark and disturbing! The xenomorph is on an inconceivably higher level than the googly-eyed fur suit science fiction monsters of the Fifties.

[@SmokingSpoon]

Don't forget Moebius!

[@anthonymartensen3164]

@@crossface5710 who are you to say that?

[@AlexCBrandon]

The soundtrack to this is rough, unpolished, the polar opposite of the Alien score by Goldsmith. But it's absolutely awesome. It screams 70s. I love it. Warm, random synth...

[@larkstonguesinaspic4814]

Reminds me of Vangelis and Tangerine Dream

[@TheRealNormanBates]

To add to Lark's comment, it sounds a lot like IN SEARCH OF... with Leonard Nimoy. Or maybe even a proto TOMITA, who was originally going to do the soundtrack before Fox decided to go with Goldsmith (as they felt Tomita might have been a bit "too much").

[@AlexCBrandon]

@AquaCF69 nope. Definitely not.

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Likely made by Peter Scherer with the swizz band Island, Giger did the album cover art for their album "pictures" from 1977. You should check it out, its insanely complex and interesting stuff, basically avant garde progressive rock, inspired by Emerson Lake and Palmer, Gentle Giant and Van der graaf Generator, heavily drivent by vintage analogue keyboard instruments (like the Hohner clavniet in this docu) Organs, Moog Taurs bass synthesizer.

[@AlexCBrandon]

@@snuppssynthchannel very cool, the end credits say VDB Joel, aka Joel Vandroogenbroeck. Was he in the swizz band..? Will definitely check it out.

[@photofinish8607]

The level of work and effort to bringing this to life is truly unmatched.

[@kevinnazario1015]

the music in this documentary is perfect for it. moody. electronic depressing...

[@Nesty9]

This one of the music giger did the album cover kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4qlfaNtfLqaorc

[@Miler97487]

The great thing was the artist responsible for the music wasn't anonymous but was Joël Vandroogenbroeck. I doubt any of this music made it to record, but he did have a long career recording tons of library music albums, as well as a member of Brainticket who released several great albums from 1970 until as late as 2015.

[@TwinTailThrust-K]

@@Miler97487 Thanks a ton for the info. I was about to ask who made the music.

[@AnimeFreakatyoutube]

I agree with Giger's stance that the alien design, as well as the Space Jockey, was over exposed by the franchise's over expansion and brought into the realm of the mundane. His work in Bio-mechanical remains, however, one of the most impressive series of paintings ever to emerge from the 20th century.

[@thedevilwithin6336]

Anime Freak Yes. Overexposed and overexplained.

[@Wyrm7774]

I think that would have happened regardless if it was a one off movie or not, it might not even have become so popular without the sequel Aliens

[@kpal2946]

@@Wyrm7774 you are correct, in my opinion

[@conatcha]

I totally agree.

[@mariadubon2487]

​@@Wyrm7774 But what do you say if this movie (the first) was the true and resounding success, it is a benchmark for almost everything that exists today in science fiction, the following movies are not even that good and exist thanks to the success of the first!

[@laed0s0deal]

As a big fan of the Alien films, seeing the Xenomorph chilling on set waiting for the next take is kind of surreal.

[@carlosrios8837]

These people are real artisans.

[@oscarperez3223]

what amount of passion in this piece, never wonder why this movie was so different and has aged quite well, a work of dark art at the fullest.

[@jamesday1295]

Having read, watched many hundreds of reviews and analysis of the film, owning the book to this piece, necronimicon 1 & 2, and many others, tattooing myself with the geniuses art, I'm not quite sure how i missed this. Art and craft taken to the N'th degree.

[@RBPhantomTilt]

Alien design was Necronom IV

[@jamesday1295]

@@RBPhantomTilt I have both books, always something new to notice.

[@reazallykhan8614]

Have you read the darkhorse comic??

[@luthermcgee3767]

Just think- those guys working with such skills and patience, has made a franchise that has lasted for decades.

[@aces553]

The talent, heart, blood, sweat, tears that went into all this is amazing and admirable. The fact that now everything would be done so quickly with CGI makes me want to cry. A lost art, and we are all the poorer for it.

[@Valkonnen]

No, we still do this type of work. In the new Alien films by Ridley Scott, the same sets were built, using the same techniques and full costumes were created for the aliens. Did you know that practical costs 4 to 5 times more than CGI?

[@WarlockX4]

It is very rare that we have true artistic geniuses, musical geniuses, etc, in this day and age. They only come around once in a lifetime. H. R. Giger was one such genius. You are truly missed my friend.

[@judacia]

I love the music used in this video.

[@marcelomelobatista5930]

Giger was such a creative genius very ahead at his time. A great artist of the century.

[@eduardorivera4343]

MASTERFUL WORK! Wish he where still alive and healthy RIP GIGER.

[@leepicciotto]

Damn, I have nothing to do with anything and it's hard for me to watch it just being torn down like garbage, I can only imagine what goes through these brilliant artists minds. all the careful attention to detail,work and love put into this and then having to sit there and watch it get demolished....Doesnt matter how seasoned they are, it must always hurt to some degree. Most of it belongs in a museum imo, not a dumpster on the back of the lot. Any of this stuff would be worth a fortune today.

[@marcothommen2484]

so true!

[@DragonSword227]

The art of this movie is just incredible, the retro futuristic elements, the alien itself, the ship. It’s clear that the makers gave it their all to create the most groundbreaking movie that they could. Well mission accomplished, because it is a masterpiece of a horror film on nearly every level.

[@Souleman561]

@3:01 anyone recognize the "egg silo" as the temple in Prometheus ??? the work this man created that didnt get into film still influenced film thru out his life time, it simply amazing the level of creativity and the ability to image these creature and design str8 from his head onto paper and then usually into a real practical effect/physical prop. you dont get this level of genius/creativity in most cinema today , at least not very often

[@conatcha]

That's not the only concept not used in Alien that got into Prometheus. The hieroglyphic mural with the alien's cycle for example. Too bad Prometheus is crap.

[@StingerXtro]

I never knew this documentary existed, Thanks for uploading!🏆

[@metalthrashingmatt]

"The next producer is already waiting at the door...with his contract" ...what a poignant line...

[@ashlad3867]

Unbelievable. The most incredibly realized concept-art I have ever seen. Truly a master draughtsman and painter.

[@waccypeet]

one of the most underrated artist of this century !

[@thewispo]

This entire masterpiece, will never be repeated. These times have gone. But what a project to peak such efforts and ideas. It must have been a true wonder, to be part of.

[@iamcharizard5468]

The aliens mouth movement was achieved through condoms... Cool :D

[@judacia]

too bad that Kane didn't have a condom to prevent the face-hugger from making its deposit!

[@danno9608]

The synth used in the soundtrack is so perfect! Brings me back to other documentaries and informational films we watched in school during the 70's and early 80's. I'm probably wrong but it sounds like a Minimoog or maybe even a Prophet-5.

[@supafrogg258]

The Shepperton Studios technicians were such pros, & did justice to Giger's unique fantastic designs with their skillfully realized production prop renderings!

[@Marshallo.o]

The cheery music at 15:00 when the alien egg opens takes it to a new level!!! lol

[@mohammedakram4529]

Giger was a genius of bizarre creative talent.

[@disseminationnetwork]

The amount of work in the landscape design was crazy!

[@JakTripperUniversity]

must find soundtrack . this is giving me comfortable chills. still have this mans posters i bought in 95, on my studio wall.

[@user-lh9eg1mk9n]

Giger's alien remains UNSURPASSED till this day in terms of design,creativity,detail and sheer terror!!!!!!!

[@randywatson8347]

It so surreal this was from the era of funk and disco. A bit ahead of it's time.

[@micahrutland9021]

The greatest film ever made

[@Danlovar]

I love this documentary.

[@brettpaterson8042]

Just discovered this documentary, what a accidental find. I’m fascinated by film making and Alien is a masterpiece of sci-fi imagination and artistic visionary filmmaking. I always appreciate the work efforts put in, most audiences take it for granted by I have always been interested in the creative work behind the scenes. Giger is a master artist. 🎬👍

[@supafrogg258]

These realizations of Giger's concepts are so faithful that, in beholding them, I am stunned, as though I were gazing upon Giger's nightmarish airbrush artwork!

[@hurst365]

Genius design...

[@southlondon86]

Robert Hurst It looks great buy why is it considered genius?

[@hurst365]

"Exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability" Each to their own

[@southlondon86]

Robert Hurst But why is this alien design considered genius?

[@hurst365]

As I said, it's a personal comment. Watch the film, look at the drawings, realise what had been before and what else was happening at the time. A truly great concept, brilliantly executed.

[@southlondon86]

Robert Hurst True. The Predator is good but not as brilliant as this.

[@jnbennett6496]

his creativity was way ahead of its time

[@mitchcoop1]

Seeing full uncut scenes of alien....So glad that the alien was edited to only see Close ups.. Made it so much more horrifying ... Left to our own mind ..perfection.

[@MrCarpen7er]

Thank you for this. I felt i was back in the 70´s again, specially because of the music.

[@jefftracyf.a.b6351]

OMG imagine pulling apart and destroying the flight bridge, corridors, mess hall and so on of the amazing set piece that was the Nostromo? I just could not do it! They destroyed something that probably compares to ancient ruins in its wonder?

[@djresource717]

ALIEN is the masterpiece of film making.

[@noblewulf]

love this stuff. giger is a god hahaha. his work is amazing.

[@remo687]

I wonder what those panels they were tearing down at the end would be worth on the collector's market today

[@gckbowers411]

1:00 I like the nice pleasant Windows-esque noise when the thing opens.

[@weegreeneyes3196]

I love this documentary, watched it a couple of times in my life.🤓👽👾 You really take movies for granted, especially fantasies , Sci-fi and horror ! Then you watch something like this and realise how much work and time goes into making one little alien let alone the time ,work , and patience needed to make everything in the movie, like landscape, craft and the alien creatures ! When you see the finished product it must be a very proud moment for them ! I doubt it couldn’t be done though without H.R. his eye and artistry is what made this a classic, well to me anyway, cant see anyone else producing such realistic yet out of this world , dark , scary, creatures with the details he gives it! 💟🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@aerografiaaerografia7405]

The painter, who changed the art painting, the cine, the airbrushing and the tattooing, and the horror genre at all

[@AgraphaFX]

This is a fantastic find! Thank you for sharing this piece of history I never knew existed.

[@Javert2012]

That's what I would like to see again today: a serious documentary around fantasy and science-fiction with nostalgic music and less geekery.

[@Xenosaurian]

That magnificent creature is so realistic and terrifying, all it takes for this thing to come alive is a divine breath.

[@andrewgreen7996]

Probably the best Sci fi movie ever Giger what an artist rest in peace.

[@petercampbell8694]

It’s like the universe iligned to make this movie happen! 😮

[@allluckyseven]

Wow, I had no idea of how much involvement Giger had in Alien. Sure, his design is up front and center, I just wasn't aware he had worked in the production of the film. The music in this documentary, combined with the monotone voice of the narrator is really off putting, but that actually adds to the mood.

[@aviramickaramick8043]

I love the 70s

[@drew55622]

80,000 of these views are Adam Savage.

[@Paperfiasco]

Seeing everything get torn down towards the end there brings to mind a comment by Adam Savage that often comes up when talking about original film prop; that more often than not due to the nature of the industry these amazing props weren't built with any intention to be preserved - they were built to do what they needed to do onscreen and no more than that. Especially the further back we go, any thing that does remain from an iconic film can be considered a treasure unto itself.

[@larkstonguesinaspic4814]

This is simply amazing. So much work has gone into this every piece of it is an amazing work of art.

[@PtolemyCeasar]

Giger was a once every few Century artist, his work will live for thousands of years.

[@markir1947]

This is an amazing video to watch and see the whole process. Giger was an amazing artist . I was saddened to hear of his untimely death years ago. I never get tired of watching this film. Now I see all the beautiful artistic work that went into making the sets and creature. It is truly a labor of love. I was saddened to see the destruction of all the sets at the end but I understand why. Thank you so much for posting .

[@nagarenius]

When you visit Switzerland sometime, go to Gruyères (Greyerz), he has a museum right in the Castle of the town. The feeling in his dark museum was unreal/real and the castle is also very beautiful. :)

[@josephstalin6549]

The monotony of the narrator is both 'lanorious' yet, soothing. The music seems also discordant but really compliments the atmosphere the document sets out

[@geneve999]

Perfect time to dive into this fantastic Alien université as we are all waiting for the Alien Romulus to be available in movie theaters this summer! I highly recommend visiting the Giger museum in Switzerland. Thanks for this video, however the soundtrack was really unnerving to me….

[@jossym]

Using Giger for all the alien related stuff and Ron Cobb as designer for all the human-made tech was such a great decision as the totally contrasting styles made the alien parts really look like they were from another world. Sadly both Giger and Cobb are no longer with us now.

[@daleweber2579]

Man, that's a lot of aluminum foil. Remember in school I made Alien out of playdoh, my teacher loved it but fellow classmates either hated it or freaked out. haha

[@elkysunnykuri]

I love his art very much !!

[@legendarylifts8836]

crazy how prometheus used this guys creations from 1979

[@hrgwea]

Ridley Scott was basically revisiting his old project.

[@Deadpool784]

I liked how everything looked in that movie, except the xenomorph at the end.

[@nikagirl7]

but what dad is now a days movies relay sooo much on special effects. which kills the movie.. what this guy is doing is true art!!!!

[@EEZO115]

It was only a first evolution of the xenomorph in alien

[@BioClone]

He was bound to the franchise obviously as one of the designers with higher responsibility, however he were doing different concept art for each movie and not just "reusing" old stuff... for example the deacon in prometheus its not based directly on Alien 1 xenomorph, but on a dozen of different concepts made by giger about the deacon, that later were again modified by another designer (example, the deacon was meant to be white, not black) I think I saw the original concept being exploited on Alien covenant trailer.

[@THXbox]

Waited so long to watch this.

[@OutrageousPizza1]

i really feel that some guy at Lego got the inspiration for 'Bionicle' name from Giger's work.

[@RCAvhstape]

This music is awesome. Reminds me of the Tara the Singing Android vids, super creepy.

[@777crig]

True genius. Rip giger

[@guntherg7328]

Giger=legend ❤❤❤

[@user-gi8pm4be2f]

様々なアイデアや　技術が凝縮された　 最高の映画🎬✨✨✨✨✨

[@RamiTestsGames]

this is masterpiece!!! and I am so proud that I saw it as a child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@wiltner]

Brilliant doc focusing on Giger. I have the Alien Quadrilogy 9 disc Box Set and this aint in it!

[@debbiemetal352]

que du génie! et du rare! un miracle ce film!

[@mdm5216]

The only problem with Giger's work is, it's so "Giger". Meaning: even though it's so awesome you could not use it in another film unrelated to the Alien series. It would look like a rip off.

[@KBizzy]

MD M see "Species". He designed that creature as well. But it doesn't have the environments that the Alien films do.

[@paulpanzer7776]

Watch Prometheus...they used Gigers artwork too.

[@RBPhantomTilt]

@@paulpanzer7776 Prometheus is the Alien franchise though so still stands to the point. There's a game coming out called Scorn that takes inspiration from Giger.

[@RBPhantomTilt]

@@KBizzy They changed his work so much on Species, it was really messed up.

[@rexremedy1733]

I disagree. Dune was also done with his consultation. And it’s a different thing.

[@kiryuandgodzillagirl]

I gotta say the actor for the Alien was good looking, tall and handsome. What? I like tall men

[@petermot645]

This is exactly why, you can stick CGI in the toilet ! Thank you Ridley Scott & RIP H.R. Giger

[@user-qj2zk4nl3k]

日本字幕付きでありがたい・・・ エイリアン好きにはたまらない

[@user-gi8pm4be2f]

映画🎬の　製作スタッフさん　美術スタッフさん　　神✨✨✨✨

[@danielhluz4215]

Solo una mente tan brillante y retorcida como la de Giger pudo crear a tan fantástico monstruo: ALIEN. El alienígena más famoso de la cinematografía mundial 👌🏻👽

[@Bozlee22]

Practical effects are the reason why New Hope looks so so much more realistic than the last 3 Star Wars movies put together

[@curlybrownliz]

There is a lot to be said for the days when special effects were done with models instead of CGI

[@UncleScorch]

The most brutal part of the documentary, watching all of that beautiful work getting torn down at the end. 😞

[@miroslavzima8856]

Back then, i was terrified (13 yrs). Even now I find it very disturbing (30 yrs), but also fascinating.

[@elitescores]

Best creature design ever created

[@rick66649]

Brilliant documentary 👍🇬🇧

[@traumachild1737]

thank you for posting this it will really help me with my alien costume

[@rotano]

Giger is a genius - amazing

[@kaibilbalam7151]

“They are really working with terrific energy, its my narration thats slow n depressed”…😹😹😹😹😹😹

[@Annie1962]

Genius, creating the scariest creature of all movies

[@TeurastajaNexus]

Did anyone notice that whem the alien was lying in the chains it has the tail in front side, instead of having it in back side.

[@TeurastajaNexus]

Ok that's weird😲

[@worstxb1playertylerteehc635]

Yeah always noticed that kind of bugs me. a Lot as it is in the Movie too

[@leggonarm9835]

Kalle Määttä What really bothered me is that the Alien is flying when he kills Brett.

[@worstxb1playertylerteehc635]

he not flying hew is on chains

[@worstxb1playertylerteehc635]

no he isn't he is on chains. Jesus! Someone needs the blu rayu or to go to spec savers

[@ediesedgwick4462]

With Alien, we finally got a monster that lived up to the build-up.

[@GiovanaBorgesOff]

great documentary

[@Vaporvice84]

What's funny about the music in the b.g throughout this doc, is that it reminds me of the music in the "Norfair" stage of the first "Metroid" videogame on the original Nintendo videogame system. I wonder if the makers of that game saw this doc. and got the idea for th music from it.

[@martinharris5017]

I have the book that goes with this documentary. It's amazing!

[@josephnaldi3467]

Best thriller I've ever seen