H.R. Giger-designed Special Effects Mechanical Alien Head | Alien (1979)

An H.R. Giger-designed special effects mechanical alien head from the production of Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror Alien. The Alien stalked the crew of the Nostromo, picking them off one by one after bursting through the chest of executive officer Kane (John Hurt).

This head was constructed for the production by David Watling, who also previously worked on the mechanical R2-D2 unit on Star Wars. Although Carlo Rambaldi was commissioned to make three mechanical alien heads, he was busy working on another film at the time, so Watling was asked to construct a back-up in case Rambaldi's were delayed or below par.

Watling's head was intended to be operated via a radio-control system, whereas Rambaldi's was operated using hand levers. The head was based on H.R. Giger's iconic design and, judging by the piece's airbrushed paintwork, it was also likely to have been hand-painted and finished by Giger himself. Ultimately, Rambaldi delivered his three Alien heads on time as promised, and Watling's, though well documented in numerous interviews about it being built for production, was never used on camera.

The head is largely made of resin and fibreglass, and has a moveable jaw and toothed 'tongue' that can protrude from the mouth. The front of the head is shaped like a human skull, as per Giger's original design, with resin teeth that are plated to look metallic. The back of the head is missing, with cables protruding, revealing where the controls were attached to manipulate the mouth. A headcap is fitted within, allowing the head to be comfortably worn by the Alien performer. The head shows wear from production use and age. The jaw and 'tongue' are both mounted on a slide mechanism, with the chrome plated teeth on the tongue spring loaded and mechanised.

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