With all the hype surrounding the release of Prometheus, I thought it was time I revisited the original. I ran the 2003 directors cut on dvd, it's been a good few years since I watched it, as like Star Wars, it one of those films you can watch in your head, its so familiar. The directors cut included a few sections which ended up on the cutting room floor, most notably the scene as Ripley sets the self destruct and is en route to the Narcissus and stumbles upon Dallas, barely alive, cocooned in the shaft. The main difference in this scene as opposed to later similar scenes, is that the victims aren't carrying a chestburster in their incarceration, but as we can see from the remains of Brett, are slowly morphing into eggs. The alien is apparently using the genetic and organic material from the victims bodies to grow into a living egg. The scene finds Brett almost completely absorbed, but Dallas retains just enough humanity to appeal to Ripley to kill him. Its a gripping scene an a change of pace from the helter skelter dash through the corridors as Mother counts the minutes down to the abort sequence.
Watching this again reminded me of a magazine article I had showing the Kenner plans for the Alien toy range. The 18" figure had so distressed parents after its initial release, that it had been quickly pulled. Apparently, plans were in progress to produce a small action figure line of Star Wars like figures, but due to the adverse reception of the big figure, the plans never left the prototype stage.
The figures were obviously sculpted by the same hand who produced the first Star Wars figures, Ash, Ripley and Dallas all have a similar stupefied expression and static poses. The Alien on the other hand is equally menacing and demonic as its larger brother and sported a slide out inner jaw, activated by a button its head. The biggest loss must be the chance to own a Moebius/John Mollo designed suit-wearing figure. Whether this is intended to be Kane is hard to tell. The Alien did eventually appear as an action figure line, but greatly changed from its initial beginnings.
