MovieChat Forums > Alien (1979) Discussion > Escaping from the Nostromo

Escaping from the Nostromo


Late in the film, the four surviving crew members weigh their options. Lambert wants to get into the shuttle and abandon the Nostromo, but Ripley reminds her that the shuttle will take only three people. Here's what I don't get. Early in the film, the crew get into a very big ship that breaks off from the Nostromo and goes down to explore the alien planet. They they return in that same ship to the Nostromo. That "sub-ship" is huge and easily accommodates all the crew. So, in that late scene in the film, why is the three-person shuttle the only option for getting off the Nostromo?

reply

I think that the sub-ship you mention is basically the Nostromo. I always thought of it like a giant, space semi-truck with the "cab" being the breakaway ship and the "trailer" being the rest of the Nostromo's bulk, which is likely a bunch of engines and tanks/bays for holding cargo. There's an escape pod on the smaller ship in case of emergencies.

Although, there is a good question regarding the "Titanic factor" of why there aren't enough life boats for the whole crew, but it's pretty clear from the film that Weyland-Yutani don't have their employees' health as "priority #1".

reply

Perhaps the sub-ship didn’t have any suspended animation chambers or sufficient fuel for the trek back.

reply

That is the Nostromo. It’s a tug boat that is hauling a giant ore refinery (those massive spires behind it). The shuttle is the Narcissus.

reply

Plus, the Alien is already on the Nostromo.

reply

Yeah, but what I want to know is since the Alien can obviously grow to huge size very fast and without eating any people ... why does he have to eat people at all? It's just plain evil and murderous?

reply

Which is why it's a very good monster movie.

reply