Ash in scripts, movie and novelization

chli

MemberChestbursterJanuary 17, 20178471 Views3 Replies

Apart from other differences in Alien between scripts, film and novelization (e.g. the presence of an empty urn and no space jockey), Ash is portrayed quite differently in the different versions.

In the novel by Foster both Ripley and Dallas are more suspicious about him. He seems to contradict his (scientific) personality with some of his actions, e.g. letting them in (disregarding the quarantine rule), not paying attention enough on a black spot in Kanye’s chest (seen on the autodoc) etc. Ripley also asks Lambert if he has slept with her. She says no and the women on board conclude that he doesn’t seem interested in that kind of human activity.

There is also a scene, which was not in the movie, where they have the Alien trapped and can kill it by opening an outer door (and closing the inner) and send it out in space. But suddenly the alarm goes off, “warning” the Alien and it rushes back into the corridor just as the inner door is closing (losing and arm). Later Ripley asks Mother, and “she” tells her that Ash did it (to rescue the Alien).

So, there are some interesting differences between script versions, film and novelization which would be interesting to find out why?

S.M
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January 17, 2017

Just part of the filmmaking process. While the thrust of the each scene remained a lot of the dialogue was tweaked, or ditched.

He's not really different in the film versus the script - he's just more verbose (mind you everyone else is too). There's more talking during the landing. Dallas quizzes him about letting the Alien live inside Kane, which he indignantly denies. He questions Dallas decision to go into the pipe and says he should've let Ripley do it. He has much more to say in his final scene. The film works better without the extra dialogue. (Kane's scripted dialogue in his death scene is pretty awful)

Ideally in a film you start a scene as late as possible and get out as soon as possible. Riddles trimmed even more in the directors cut (not necessarily Ash's stuff).

chli
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January 17, 2017

S.M

You’re right. Ash isn’t portrayed differently but more elaborately. Ash’s last scene is an interesting read. I guess much has to do with the pacing of the movie?

ali81
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January 17, 2017

ash is shown exactly as he should be, an android carrying out his orders to the best of his ability until he is discovered. he is the one who lets kane back on board where if he was operating as he should have been then kane would never have got back on the ship. its only once ripley discovers he is helping the xeno under orders does he physically show his intentions. I do disagree that he isn't paying attention to the scan of kane and would say he has spotted everything, he just isn't drawing attention to it, he does switch the monitor off when ripley starts talking to him so she wont spot it herself and start asking questions