Alien (1979) Trivia Questions

Question 1

26 How long did shooting of "Alien" take?

Reference: Quiz: It Started With An Egg.

Answer

Answer: Four months

"Alien" was shot in England by Denys Ayling and Derek Vanlint, at a cost of just over $9,000,000.00 U.S.

Question 2

27 In the theatrical edition of "Alien", who was the only member of the crew who did not die on-screen, but whose death was only inferred?

Reference: Quiz: "Alien:" The Crew of the Nostromo.

Answer

Answer: Dallas

In the theatrical release, Dallas' death was not shown; rather, his last moments were inferred by a quick shot of the alien reaching for him and screeching at him, then Dallas' radio going dead.

The 25th Anniversary Director's Cut of "Alien" includes an extended scene where Ripley located Dallas during her escape to the shuttle. He has been "cocooned" by the alien, and, while still barely conscious, begs Ripley to kill him. She obliges with her flamethrower.

Question 3

28 Which character said, "The sooner we patch this thing up and get out of here, the sooner we can go home. This place gives me the creeps!"?

Reference: Quiz: "Alien": Who Am I?.

Answer

Answer: Parker

This was one of the few scenes where you heard Brett speak an entire sentence. Parker and Brett were in engineering, working on fixing the ship. Please notice the blue cathedral lighting that was used in this scene - you will see it many times during the movie.

Question 4

29 Who produced this movie?

Reference: Quiz: Behind the Scenes of "Alien".

Answer

Answer: David Giler

Dan O' Bannon wrote the script of this film. Sigourney Weaver starred as the main character, Ripley. Alan Ladd Jr. is the President at 20th Century Fox.

Question 5

30 What trait, or physical characteristic had writer Dan O'Bannon considered giving the alien?

Reference: Quiz: It Started With An Egg.

Answer

Answer: The ability to imitate its victims

Something along the lines of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or "Terminator 2: Judgement Day".

Question 6

31 Most of those onboard the Nostromo perished aboard her. Who eventually made it out alive, in hypersleep on the shuttle?

Reference: Quiz: "Alien:" The Crew of the Nostromo.

Answer

Answer: Ripley and Jones (the crew's pet cat)

Jones, a tabby cat, survived with Ripley and would be found with her by a salvage crew decades later. This is shown in the first scene of the first sequel to this film, James Cameron's "Aliens" (1986).

Sigourney Weaver's character Ellen Ripley would go on to appear in several sequels. After "Aliens" came "Alien 3" (1992) and "Alien: Resurrection" (1997).

Question 7

32 Which character said, "You'll get whatever's coming to you!"?

Reference: Quiz: "Alien": Who Am I?.

Answer

Answer: Ripley

Ripley was the Chief Warrant Officer of the Nostromo. This was another quote from the scene where Parker, Brett, and Ripley were discussing shares and fixing the ship. This line foreshadowed future events.

Question 8

33 Even as "Alien" was heading into theatres, producers Giler and Hill were preparing a sequel. When pondering suggestions for the next film, what idea was dismissed immediately?

Reference: Quiz: It Started With An Egg.

Answer

Answer: That the appearance of "Jones the Cat" in the movie's finale, gave the audience a peek at how the sequel would be born.

The producers and, Ridley Scott for that matter, claimed that "how the alien came to be" was inconsequential. There was no need to plant ideas in the mind of the audience as to how the alien would reappear. No intellectual explanation for the creature was needed.