The Alien soundtrack refers to the film score and accompanying soundtrack album for the 1979 science-fiction horror film Alien, directed by Ridley Scott. The score was composed and arranged by American composer Jerry Goldsmith and performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Lionel Newman.
Release and Reception
The original soundtrack album, titled Alien: Original Motion Picture Score, was released in 1979 by 20th Century Fox Records. It achieved critical acclaim and has been released commercially in multiple forms over the following decades. The score is widely regarded as one of Goldsmith's most distinctive and visceral works, characterized by a bleak, dissonant soundscape that complements the film's dark and tense atmosphere. Rather than relying on conventional melodic themes, Goldsmith employed avant-garde techniques to create a sense of unease and dread.
Background and Production
The music was performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Lionel Newman, with orchestration by Arthur Morton. However, the score as originally composed was not fully used in the film's released versions. The score was substantially cut, and portions of other music were substituted, including:
- Selections from Goldsmith's own 1962 score for the film Freud (specifically its main title and the tracks "Charcot's Show" and "Desperate Case").
- The first movement (adagio) of Howard Hanson's 1930 "Symphony No. 2, Romantic," used for the film's end credits.
The complete intended score was first made available as an isolated audio track on the 1999 20th Anniversary DVD edition of the film. On November 15, 2007, Intrada Records released the complete score in a two-disc set, remixed and remastered from the original one-inch master tapes, along with alternate takes and the original LP program.
Track Listing (Original 1979 Album)
- "Main Title" (3:30)
- "The Face Hugger" (2:32)
- "Breakaway" (7:34)
- "Acid Test" (4:35)
- "The Landing" (4:29)
- "The Droid" (4:40)
- "The Recovery" (2:44)
- "The Alien Planet" (2:28)
- "The Shaft" (3:57)
- "End Title" (3:02)
The original album runs approximately 33 minutes and 37 seconds. The 2007 Intrada complete edition runs approximately 126 minutes across two discs and includes the full score cues, alternate rescored versions, and bonus material.
Personnel
- Composer, arranger, and producer: Jerry Goldsmith
- Conductor: Lionel Newman
- Orchestrator: Arthur Morton
- Orchestra: The National Philharmonic Orchestra
- Mixing engineer: Eric Arthur Tomlinson
- Remix and editing: Len Engel
Legacy
The Alien score is frequently cited among Goldsmith's finest work and is considered a landmark in science-fiction film music. The soundtrack's influence and reputation have persisted, with the complete edition released by Intrada in 2007 being particularly noted for restoring the composer's original vision for the film.
