8mm Forum: Aliens

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Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on August 19, 2007, 12:23 PM:

I didn't see a review so I thought I would chime in. First of all, most of ALIENS is either in space or in dark places and I was very impressed with the definition in the blacks. The negative must have been made from an interpositive. For those who don't know, an interpositive is a positive low contrast image on a negative base. From this a perfect dupe negative from the same stock can be made. And this is what I see in this ALIENS print. I was always a little hesitant to purchase it as there is a longer version on DVD. But watching this I don't miss it at all. What you don't get is the matte shots that stand out like a sore thumb on video. Everything blends perfectly LIKE IT SHOULD, like it can only be on film. This was a used print already on 1200 & 1600 foot reels. Since I didn't have a 1600 foot reel this is actually a review of the first 1200 feet. But I assume the rest is the same. I will post the remainder later.

To continue, all I can add is that the picture is perfect. If you like action pictures, this is one to add to your collection. On a funny note, when I was watching it during a very intense sequence I got a phone call and my 12 year old son answered it and was giving me the phone up to my ear from behind me and I jumped up to the ceiling. He laughed and laughed and laughed.
Here is a screen capture of the film:

Here is a capture from my computer of the DVD of the same scene.

The DVD is very white and cropped top & bottom. It seems there is a little shift side to side but I'm sure it is cropped on TV. I'm sure Cameron prefers the film look.

[ September 30, 2007, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: Larry Arpin ]

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on August 19, 2007, 06:41 PM:

You should see Alien on super 8.....really awesome [Eek!]

Maybe I should do a review.

Kev.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on August 19, 2007, 08:38 PM:

Kevin,

We have a thread that has reviews of both the 400' "Alien" and the feature that you should add to.

Doug

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on August 20, 2007, 05:04 AM:

Thanks Doug, forgot about that one.

Kev.

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on September 30, 2007, 03:14 PM:

I've updated my review.

Posted by Keith Ashfield (Member # 741) on September 30, 2007, 03:31 PM:

I agree with you Larry - superb action film (I prefer this to the first one). I have this feature myself and cannot fault the print or sound quality.It's one of the best I've seen. definately one for any action collector to get hold of.

Posted by Christopher Quinn (Member # 831) on October 02, 2007, 12:46 AM:

Thanks for posting those captures and review Larry! I hope more people are able to post photos in their reviews; it’s a great way to get a sneak preview of the print. Do you mind if I ask which projector the film was being run on when you took the pic?

Many actually prefer the theatrical cut of Aliens to the special edition that was subsequently released on video. Apparently the shorter version flows better and is a more taut and exciting experience. The same is true of Terminator 2.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on October 11, 2007, 08:17 PM:

ALIENS was one of my "most requested" super 8 features on movie nights, second only to GREASE.

I agree, the quality on ALIENS is superb. And the movie is just so repeatable. I must have run it at least once a week the first month I had it (1992- seems like yesterday).

With that said, the original ALIEN (scope), is actually even better, as far as picture quality. It is certainly the most beautiful scope print that I've seen on super 8.

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on October 11, 2007, 09:28 PM:

Wow! Looks like there's "Aliens' in the air. I was testing out a newly acquired Eumig and found the print to be superb. The sound was very nice as well. And the action was awesome! I prefer this movie to the first one however. I know aesthetically the first one was of a much higher caliber but this one is just FUN!
So here's a question for you who own the print. Is yours in Stereo? Mine is not.

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on October 12, 2007, 06:25 PM:

This is certainly one of my favourite S8 releases, although I think that the start of 'Alien3' slightly spoils the satisfaction watching it! I also have 'Alien' and in my case I don't think the print of this beats 'Aliens'. I always remember a show I put on with 'Aliens' which really impressed the audience, who were reponding to seeing 'the film' rather than 'the 8mm version of the film'.

I suspect Larry's print is a little warmer than some; mine has a more bluish look that was mentioned in one or two reviews when the S8 came out.

"What you don't get is the matte shots that stand out like a sore thumb on video."
Larry - I was curious about why this is?

"So here's a question for you who own the print. Is yours in Stereo? Mine is not."
Alan - Mine is stereo. I know that at around the time this was released, Derann were not able to re-record a film in stereo, so yours maybe one that someone returned because of a sound fault, and then got re-recorded in mono.

Funilly enough, although the quality is great, I think all prints have a minor sound fault, on one channel only, for about the first 9 mins of reel 4. There's some extra white noise-type sound that blends in well, but remains constant across changes of scenes. I returned my reel 4 and was sent an alternative, which was exactly the same in terms of sound, but the print was much warmer, so would have really stuck out. I immediately contacted Ged to say I'd like my original reel back, and was VERY relieved to find that it had not yet been re-recorded into mono!

[ October 13, 2007, 01:33 PM: Message edited by: Adrian Winchester ]

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on October 13, 2007, 01:41 AM:

Yes the colors on my print are bluer and whiter as well. Looks like I'll have to re-record the stereo myself....Yikes!

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on October 15, 2007, 10:01 AM:

I have two prints of this film and both are very good picture and sound (all stereo). However, neither is as good as 'Alien' on the picture quality front.

A great film but not as good as the original which is an undoubted classic. I think Mr. Rik got it right in that Aliens is such good fun. For me the original is completely different and more like a work of art.

Mr. Winchester is right about Alien 3 spoiling the enjoyment of 'Aliens' somewhat. I've only ever seen Alien 3 once and having endured it at the Odeon I never want to see it again. Alien, Aliens and Alien Resurrection have been run so often on film in my house but I never tire of them.

A good review Larry made all the better by the inclusion of the frames from DVD and Super 8.

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on December 11, 2007, 09:37 AM:

I thought I'd my bit to this thread. I just yesterday, Dec.10th, 2007) received a used print of it from an absolutely great seller, Alan Rik. I can only add that on my print color values are very good. Dark scenes look good with plenty of detail showing on the screen. To me this print is not the sharpest I've seen, but is very nice with good steadiness ..no frame line jumps. In places I kept focusing trying to get it perfectly crisp..but even with the f1.1 lens, I felt like it was just a tad soft. Stereo sound is above average...rich on the bass side...with a fairly decent treble range. Alan said he thought it could be improved with a good re-recording and I agree. I may have it done.

Posted by Jake Mayes (Member # 3292) on December 11, 2012, 10:04 PM:

I bought this print from steven sigel at the end of october. Due to having to move i paid him a deposit and paid for the print beginning of december/end of november. Got the print on saturday. I screened it with my partner, was the first time he had seen Aliens! He loved the movie, and i really enjoyed the print, Aliens is one of my favourite movies of all time. The print has been well used, shows some wear especially on reels 1 and 2 of the 5, but does not detract from the quality one bit, the tonal range of the image blows the blue-ray away! Reels 1, 2 and 3 are very slightly warm (reel 1 of 2 of the original 2 reel set up, the print was mounted onto 5 600' reels).

The tonal range shows tones that only film can show, especially on skin. Great fun to watch, will be screened often i guarentee!

I am certain this print is an early one, when the negatives were still ‘fresh’ if that is the right word. Well used, visible wear is there on reels 1 and 2 as I said, but is barely noticeable as the tonal range and the quality and life likeness blows one away! Lovley colour palette! Will get hours of use, I am sure being my favourite film of all time! Now to keep my eyes peeled for other features! The first Alien in particular. I also saw Alien 3 on 16mm on E-bay, wonder if it exists on super-8 as well?

Mono sound, my sanyko 702 handles the film really nicely connected to an external speaker system and amp. I keep the film path clean : - )
With cost and customs charges, total around £400. Worth every penny! Who would have thought i would want to spend that much on a movie! I did not until i discovered these features!

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on December 11, 2012, 10:08 PM:

Steven is a great person to deal with for sure. [Wink]

Posted by Laksmi Breathwaite (Member # 2320) on December 11, 2012, 10:09 PM:

Wow Jake I love the movie as well. Now I must get one. Do they have a digest of that?

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on December 11, 2012, 10:11 PM:

The digest of 'Alien' is the only digest of a film in the series, but there were trailers for all 4. 'Alien 3' (and 'Alien Ressurection') only exist on 16mm.

Posted by Burton Sundquist (Member # 5813) on October 13, 2018, 06:02 PM:

I recently acquired this feature and fortunate for me it was not one of the "blueish" versions ( mentioned by Winbert in the: Blueis print vs good print (Aliens, Super 8mm Derann) Thread ). I agree with the other members this is one great action-packed film! I found no issue with the sharpness and overall it is an excellent print! the shots included are captured using The Sankyo Stereo 800 with the HIPRO
1.0 lens and Samsung Galaxy 5 smartphone...

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 14, 2018, 02:25 AM:

Wow what a print!!!! Another top title Burton. The first two Alien films, for me, are the only two to watch. How on earth did they then get number three so wrong.
Super screenshots [Wink]

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on October 14, 2018, 07:44 AM:

I really like Prometheus.

I thought that was a fantastic, slightly old school film and with its pacing etc.

In fact might bung on the BR tonight.

Got the Steelbook but be nice to have it on real film.

Best Mark.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on October 15, 2018, 12:03 PM:

That really is a lovely print! you can even see the grain in the image! Really nice! I only own the first one, but it's a stunner!

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on October 16, 2018, 04:07 AM:

I used to have a print of this - I bought it from a dealer at the Blackpool convention for about £120.00!!

And it was immaculate - those were the days...

Watching this super 8 print at home really is like going to the cinema.

When Derann released this it was still a fairly recent film and those days were really exciting for super 8 collectors and the highlight of the super 8 revival.

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on October 18, 2018, 01:17 PM:

I also did have this film. I sold it a few years ago. I wish I held on to it. Now I am stuck with 4 odd reels of reel #1. In mint condition. But I still have the feature of Alien. Great print. I hope to come across the feature of Aliens one day.
I just love this hobby.

Leon Norris

Posted by Rodney Bourke (Member # 1646) on November 12, 2019, 12:15 AM:

Aliens Full Feature on Super 8 see

https://www.ebay.de/itm/ALIENS-Super-8-Komplettlange-Full-Feature/143428854526?hash=item216506a2fe:g:1gcAAOSwGYZdyS3L

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on November 15, 2019, 01:27 AM:

Some photos from Aliens...

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on November 16, 2019, 07:59 AM:

Brad and there was me thinking " WOW That is really superb and simply stunning print quality for Super 8mm ! "

Well that was until i scrolled down the page to find out the true source of those excellent screen shot . Hahahahahahaha ! [Smile]

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