Alien Quadrilogy (9 Disc Complete Box Set)

Alien (1979) was so perfect it didn't need fixing, and Ridley Scott's 2003 Director's Cut is fiddling for the sake of it. Watch once then return to the majestic, perfectly paced original. Conversely the Special Edition of James Cameron's Aliens (1986) is the definitive version, though it's nice finally to have the theatrical cut on DVD for comparison. Most interesting is the alternative Alien3 (1992). This isn't a "director's cut"--David Fincher refused to have any involvement with this release--but a 1991 work-print that runs 29 minutes longer than the theatrical version, and has now been restored, remastered and finished-off with (unfortunately) cheap new CGI. Still, it's truly fascinating, offering a different insight into a flawed masterpiece. The expanded opening is visually breathtaking, the central firestorm is much longer, and a subplot involving Paul McGann's character adds considerable depth to the story. The ending is also subtly but significantly different. Alien Resurrection (1997) was always a mess with a handful of brilliant scenes, and the Special Edition just makes it eight minutes longer.

On the DVD: Alien Quadrilogy offers all films except Alien3 with DTS soundtracks, the latter having still fine Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation. All four films sound fantastic, with much low-level detail revealed for the first time. Each is anamorphically enhanced at the correct original aspect ratio, and the prints and transfers are superlative. Every film offers a commentary that lends insight into the creative process--though the Scott-only commentary and isolated music score from the first Alien DVD release are missing here--and there are subtitles for hard of hearing both for the films and the commentaries.

Each movie is complemented by a separate disc packed with hours of seriously detailed documentaries (all presented at 4:3 with clips letterboxed), thousands of photos, production stills and storyboards, giving a level of inside information for the dedicated buff only surpassed by the Lord of the Rings extended DVD sets. A ninth DVD compiles miscellaneous material, including a Channel 4 hour-long documentary and even all the extras from the old Alien laserdisc. Exhaustive hardly begins to describe the Alien Quadrilogy, a set which establishes the new DVD benchmark for retrospective releases and which looks unlikely to be surpassed for some time. --Gary S Dalkin

This new box set sees the re-release of the first four films of the series. I say ‘first four’ as next year will see the release of the long-awaited Alien vs. Predator film, to be followed (if successful) by Alien ‘5’. Box sets by nature are tricky things – when buying one it’s always useful to be aware that the studio will most likely release another box set in years to come with yet more bonus features added – as is true in this case. For those of you who bought the Alien Legacy box set – my sympathy – as the new Alien Quadrilogy appears to have it all…

So what’s new?

Well, this time we have the directors cut of Alien – clocking in at 40 seconds shorter than the original, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you were getting less value for money than the ‘79 release. However, Scott’s new cut works well – giving a nip and tuck here and there – trimming off some of the fat so to speak. For those of you who found some of the slower moments of the original hard to sit through – the new version should provide some welcome relief as whilst the air of tension and suspense is still maintained – the pace of the film is quicker. It is also worth noting that the new version also incorporates the much vaunted Dallas cocoon sequence – available only as a deleted scene on previous DVD editions. Whether it works in the final cut is a matter of personal opinion, but for this reviewer – whilst intrigued to see it, my belief is that if wasn’t deemed good enough to make the initial print – then there’s no reason it should really be in the new one. Hard-core fans of the series will no doubt be glad to see its reinsertion though.

The other big new addition is David Finchers work print of Alien 3. Whilst many films have scenes re-shot or removed from the final print – it is interesting to see how much was actually removed from Alien 3 – to put it mildly – there’s quite a bit. In some places it merely fleshes out the story – perhaps giving an image or a sound to an obvious suggestion in the original cut, but in others it gives an entertaining twist on the plot of the film – perhaps most notable of all is the revelation that in the original script the Alien was to be spawned from an Ox – indeed much of the footage was shot with prosthetics, but it was only when the director realised how difficult an ox was to train that they abandoned the concept and re-shot the footage with a dog instead.

In addition to this, Aliens & Alien Resurrection are both faithfully reproduced here – both have bonus features on the additional discs unseen before, but little that’s new is brought to the table. The films themselves are superb pieces of fiction – fascinating on many levels and equally gruesome. Alien and Alien 3 are both masterpieces of suspense and storytelling, Aliens is every action film fans wet dream and Resurrection, whilst by no means the best of the series, is certainly a vastly entertaining film.

Whether or not this box-set is either definitive or a ‘must buy’ remains to be seen, but for fans who have yet to buy any of the movies on DVD I recommend this highly. For those of us with the Alien Legacy box set – my advice is to wait – these editions will almost inevitably be re-released along with any or all of the newer instalments in the years to come.


Bad news for Region 2   November 29, 2003
48 out of 55 found this review helpful

Yes, the Alien Quadrilogy is one of the greatest DVDs ever to be release, and one of the most anticipated. With over 45hrs of special features, it has enough to keep even the most demanding Alien fan entertained.

However, despite many sites assuring that the different regions of the discs are the same, it has now been confirmed that they are not. Region 1 viewers over in America have the superior set. Why? Let me explain.

The extended cut of Alien 3 has new scenes edited in. Because they were never intended for use in the original film, the required dubbing and voice-overs by the actors was never completed. Therefore, in certain bits the sound is inaudible. While the region 1 disc accomplishes the problem by displaying automatic subtitles, the region 2 has no such feature. It also has no "Deleted Footage" marker, which is another subtitle option that diplays these words when a deleted scene is playing.

OK, I hear you say, so it's not the end of the world, right? Wrong.

Fans of audio commentaries will be greatly dissappointed with the region 2 set.
The region 1 has a commentary for each film. The commentaries have been edited so that they can be listened to while watching the Theatrical Version of the film, or the other versions.
The region 2 however, only has commentaries for the Theatrical Versions of the 4 films. This means that there is more than an hour of audio material missing from the region 2 version. This is bound to upset many fans, so I recommend buying the region 1 version from Amazon instead, but only if you have a Multi-Region DVD player.

But don't worry region 2 dwellers. You still have one advantage.

The region 2 pack is MUCH more easy to use and navigate than the region 1. While the region 2 is like a book, with one DVD in each of it's "pages", the region 1 is a fold-out digipack which is over 5 feet long when fully opened. This can be a bit frustrating, and I doubt if it will withstand much wear-and-tear.

Still though, the packaging isn't as important as the discs. I have absolutely no idea why FOX would cut out this stuff. There would still be plenty of space on the discs to include these extras, but that's FOX for you.

FOX has also cut out 30mins of footage from the Alien 3 documentary on the disc, on both regions this time. What was originally entitled "Wreckage and Rape: The Making of Alien 3" has now been turned into "The Making of...", as well as a number of the featurettes.

Nonetheless, the Alien Quadrilogy is still a PHENOMANAL DVD package. It has completely re-set the standard for DVDs. It towers over the likes of "X-Men 1.5", "T3", and "The Lord of The Rings: Extended Editions". Alien Quadrilogy is not just another DVD, it is THE DVD, and will maintain that title for a long time to come.


Alien Fest!   January 2, 2004
Neo (UK)
34 out of 36 found this review helpful

I bought this Alien Box set for my partner for Xmas. Being an avid fan - she was delighted! So was I, what a great price(as at Dec 2003) on Amazon!!
Well the Xmas choice on Terestrial TV was a load of old *******s this year, so we decided to settle down for an "ALIENFEST" over the Xmas hols :)

In the box - you get 9 DVD's with over 40 hrs of films and Extra's.
The clarity of All the DVDS was superb ie you can see the Alien/s as you are supposed to - even in the DARKEST CORNERS!! The remastered sound tracks envelope you with a creeping terror, setting your senses on MAX!
Each 'Alien film release' DVD comes with TWO films burned on it - the 'Theatrical' release and the 'Specially Edited'/'Directors Cut' There are full English subtitles on ALL EIGHT film editions!
Great watching all the new scenes (edited in) on the director's cuts!

We then started to watch ALL the Five DVD Bonus/extra DVD's(fully subtitled - English).
They are a mine of information!! Each bonus DVD is in a documentary format and is highly entertaining in its own right. They explain how they developed the 'idea' for the Alien films, the characters, scenes, in fact, EVERYTHING. All the actors/directors/model makers/ETC are interviewed and talk about their experiences, co-incidences, funny happenings, "accidentally" got the part etc etc

At the end of watching these you should be able to confidently sit down for your specialist subject (The Alien Quadrilogy) on MASTERMIND!

All in all, for a quid an hour, best fourty odd hrs entertainment we have had - probably ever!

Buy it!!


At the right price its a must-have!   April 17, 2006
S J Buck (Kent, UK)
25 out of 28 found this review helpful

This is a fabulous boxed set, especially if you can get it at a decent price. It is available on-line and in some shops at the moment for 17.99 which is fantastic value. Anything under 30 is still good value.
Alien and Aliens are already classics (as everybody knows) and merit repeated viewings.
The 3rd and 4th are not up to the same standard but have their moments.
There are 9 DVD's in total.
Disc 1 contains both versions of Alien + Commentaries
Disc 2 contains documentaries on Alien
Disc 3 contains both versions of Aliens + Commentaries
Disc 4 contains documentaries on Aliens
I have watched these and they are very good. Especially in relation to creating the special effects and James Cameron working in the UK at Pinewood (there were problems - indeed almost a strike!).
Disc 5 contains both versions of Alien3 + Commentaries
Disc 6 contains documentaries on Alien3
I have watched some of this and there is some fascinating information on the original script and director.
Disc 7 contains both versions of Alien Resurrection + Commentary
Disc 8 contains documentaries on Alien Resurrection
Disc 9 More Extras

All in all a superb set to get.





This is truely a masterpiece in every department   October 6, 2003
17 out of 31 found this review helpful

This quadrilogy provides hours of entertainment-fan or no fan, I could not classify this title in one particular genre, but there's something there for everyone- comedy, horror, action, adventure, the lot
The scripts are fantastic and the storylines are brilliant. The directors provide a continuous storyline that flows from one part to the next.
The creation of the aliens is absolutely in another class, in 1979, producing such photography and an amazingly detailed alien is superb. Like many movies, where directors take short cuts and show aliens dressed in a costume or only show them in the dark, or for a very short time, not in this movie, there are great close ups and most important the alien looks great, supported by a good story line.
The first part was truly a classic- and many believe the best of the four, but the second smashes through all barriers and delivers-in my opinion- an even better story, packed with action, suspense and a stronger enemy. The twists and turns are great and provide a great conclusion.
The third coontinues the saga and brings together the first two parts and this time the goodies have no weapons and the movie demonstrates an enemy which is even stronger, but shows that signourey weaver is not invincible. This is under rated by many but is truly a great movie and I believe would have been a great conclusion to a trilogy.

However as most directors, these people got carried away, and made a forth, but I thought this was much needed as we only see the enemy from the human/robot point of view(in the first three).Bbut this time we get an insight into the alien behaviour and their lives. A must see, and by no means was this 4th part a waste of time, but a farewell to the aliens quadrilogy. Hopefully the directors wont follow up with another part and will leave a great masterpiece to rest on everyones dvd shelf to watch in years to come. Although material still exists for a fifth part as the aliens come to earth.

Conclusion:- A must buy for all, doesnt matter which genre you prefer.

Great in all departments, as most of the time it is not predictable like most movies and storylines are unique with a great enemy- who is by no means invincible. Movie has good direction and great storylines.

What are u waiting for go out and buy it now!!!!!!!!