Audience Reaction to Alien in 1959: A Sci-Fi/Horror Classic from the Future

How would a cinema audience in 1959 have reacted to the sci-fi/horror movie Alien from 1979? It is fascinating to speculate on the response, given the significant technological and societal differences between the 1950s and the late 1970s.

Technology and Perception

Recalling personal experiences from childhood, one participant described being terrified by a movie called Forbidden Plant. They suggest that a film like Alien would have been even more terrifying, and perhaps even catatonic-inducing.

The 1959 audience would surely have been alarmed by the leap in technology from the 1950s to the 1970s. Cars with modern features, people using cell phones, and the internet were all concepts that would have been unimaginable in 1959. The mere presence of these technologies would have contributed to a sense of shock and unease, setting the stage for the introduction of a horror/sci-fi film like Alien.

Critical and Judicial Reactions

The movie Alien itself would have been met with a critical and judicial rejection. The 1959 audience would have been appalled by the content, potentially leading to a ban on the film's release. The movie would have thus faced significant challenges in finding a platform for its debut.

Like The Thing from 1982, which was also initially panned but later found its audience, Alien would have needed time to be appreciated. In the 1980s, when The Thing gained recognition, its release was through various channels including television broadcasts and physical media. However, in 1959, the lack of these options would have delayed the film's exposure, making it even more challenging to receive the recognition it deserved.

Film Production and Audience Expectations

Science fiction and horror films in 1959 were vastly different from those in 1979. The growth in sophistication and fear in the latter era would have made it unlikely that a film like Alien would have been produced at all in 1959. If it had been, it is improbable that it would have made it past the initial stages of production.

Audiences in 1959 had different expectations and levels of desensitization to horror and science fiction. Films like The Fly and The Blob were indeed shocking and melodramatic. A movie like Alien, without any prior precedent, would have been too much for them to handle, possibly leading them to walk out of the theater in shock.

The response to Alien in 1959 would have been significantly different from the responses in subsequent decades. The lack of technological familiarity and the absence of a suitable broadcast or release platform would have delayed the film's acceptance. It is a testament to the adaptability of society and the evolving tastes in cinema that such a groundbreaking film found its audience and acclaim years later.

From a personal perspective, the experience of watching Alien (1979) is a far cry from the experiences one might have had in 1959. Regardless of the era, it is clear that Alien would have left a lasting impression, whether it was one of fear, admiration, or both. We are grateful to have experienced this film with the advancements and societal changes that allowed it to thrive.