MovieChat Forums > Alien (1979) Discussion > New mistake I’d never noticed…

New mistake I’d never noticed…

posted 3 months ago by Scape (526)
12 replies | jump to latest

Rewatching Alien last night for the 100th time, I noticed a new editing mistake. Nothing important but something I’ve never noticed in all my viewings.

When they’re still stuck on the planet in the smaller space shuttle, while the facehugger is still attached, they show a quick scene of Dallas sitting in the escape shuttle listening to music. But he couldn’t be on that shuttle at that time because the escape shuttle is attached to the main oil rig spaceship. Which is in orbit above the planet.

[–] Zarkoff (1857) 3 months ago

I'm surprised I never noticed that. I've seen it almost as many times as you have. That's a pretty big continuity error.

[–] Scape (526) 3 months ago

Same here. Totally caught me off guard, like how did I never notice this…

[–] Melton (4486) 3 months ago

Dallas had powers. That’s why he was made captain.

[–] pazuzu9 (384) 3 months ago

The Narcissus is attached to the Nostromo. There are 2 escape shuttles that are part of the Nostromo.

[–] Zarkoff (1857) 3 months ago

I thought the Nostromo was the big towing vessel, and a smaller lander detached from it and went to the moon. Like they left the Nostromo behind when they landed.

[–] pazuzu9 (384) 3 months ago

The Nostromo is what you see detach from the refinery. Then it descends to the surface of the moon Acheron (LV-426).

[–] Scape (526) 3 months ago

Yeah, but Dallas couldn’t be at the one in the shot, because he was still on the planet at that time.

Are you saying that the ship they flew down with was that huge? That it had an escape shuttle? Always thought the shuttle was on the refinery ship.

[–] pazuzu9 (384) 3 months ago

"Are you saying that the ship they flew down with was that huge? That it had an escape shuttle? Always thought the shuttle was on the refinery ship."

Yes, the lifeboats are on the underside of the Nostromo. The shot you see of Dallas is in the Nostromo sitting on the moon LV-426. Did you notice all the smoke/mist?

https://avp.fandom.com/wiki/Narcissus

[–] Zarkoff (1857) 3 months ago

Yes, watching it again, i see that must be the case. I was thinking the entire Nostromo didn't come down, it was more like a landing vehicle. But I guess the Nostromo left the refinery behind.

[–] Scape (526) 3 months ago

Wow, I just never imagined the landing ship was that big to have that size of an escape shuttle. Always thought it was connected to the refinery. And you’re right about the mist. Thanks, man.

[–] pazuzu9 (384) 3 months ago

Yeah, no prob.

I was confused about this for years. I remember at the old IMDB this topic would come up often. I think it is pretty hard to tell unless you really examine it closely.

[–] Martoto (5036) 3 months ago

The refinery is just an automated lump of machinery that the Nostromo is tugging. It wouldn't need a lifeboat.

Just the bridge of the the Nostromo alone is the size of the Narcissus.

The lifeboats were stowed in the channels in the underside of the ship, that ran between each the outboard engine nacelles and the inboard engine.

The only time we really see these parts of the ship are when we are shown the Narcissus and when Kane's given his burial at space. But the movie doesn't detail where that is in relation to other parts of the ship.