Contamination (film)
Alien eggs cause explosive deaths in a 1980 Italian-West German co-production.
Contamination (also released as Alien Contamination, Toxic Spawn or Larvae) is a 1980 science-fiction horror film written and directed by Luigi Cozzi, and starring Ian McCulloch, Louise Marleau, and Marino Masé. The film is about an alien cyclops creature that uses human agents to place eggs all over Earth; the eggs release a gelatinous goo that causes people to explode upon contact. An Italian and West German co-production, it premiered on 2 August 1980 and received mixed-to-negative reviews, though the film score by Goblin was praised.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Luigi Cozzi
- Producer
- Claudio Mancini
- Starring
- Ian McCulloch / Louise Marleau / Marino Masè / Siegfried Rauch / Gisela Hahn
- Music
- Goblin
- Cinematography
- Giuseppe Pinori
- Editing
- Nino Baragli
- Studio
- Alex Cinematographica S.r.l. / Barthonia-Film / Lisa Film
- Distributor
- P.A.C. (Italy) / Residenz Film (West Germany)
- Released
- 2 August 1980 · Italy · 1980 · 9 · 5 · West Germany
- Runtime
- 82 minutes
- Country
- Italy / West Germany
- Budget
- $225,000
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film was shot in eight weeks between 14 January and 4 March 1980, entirely in Italy, with three weeks in Rome and two weeks on location elsewhere in the country. Canadian actress Louise Marleau was cast as Colonel Holmes. For the alien cyclops at the climax, Cozzi wanted animation or stop motion but was overruled, and an animatronic version was constructed. Cozzi claimed this creature failed to work properly and barely moved, so he used rapid jump cuts to hide that it was being pulled by stagehands.
Reader's Guide
Contamination is a notable entry in the Italian exploitation horror cycle of the early 1980s, directly inspired by Ridley Scott's Alien. Its significance lies in how it adapts Alien's core concepts—alien eggs and a monstrous creature—to a low-budget Earthbound setting, blending science fiction with James Bond-style espionage. The film's mixed-to-negative critical reception reflects its derivative nature and technical shortcomings, yet it has gained a cult following, partly due to the energetic score by Goblin. Its multiple alternate titles (Alien Contamination, Toxic Spawn, Larvae) and heavily edited US releases illustrate the marketing strategies of the era. The film's legacy is as a representative example of Italian genre filmmaking that prioritizes spectacle and gore over coherence, and it remains available in an uncut version on Blu-Ray from Arrow Video.
Did You Know?
- The film was originally titled Alien Arrives on Earth before the producer changed it to Contamination.
- Director Luigi Cozzi wanted to use stop motion for the alien cyclops but was overruled; the animatronic version barely moved.
- The film was shot entirely in Italy, not in New York City, Florida, or Colombia.
- Cannon Films changed the US title to Alien Contamination to capitalize on the popularity of Ridley Scott's Alien.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Contamination (1980)?
It's a science-fiction horror feature from 1980 produced as a joint venture between Italy and West Germany. The picture follows a one-eyed alien that spreads eggs worldwide via human operatives, and those eggs burst into a sticky goo that makes anyone who touches it detonate. It also circulated under the titles Alien Contamination, Toxic Spawn, and Larvae.
Who directed and wrote Contamination?
Luigi Cozzi handled both the screenplay and the directorial chair. The film was a co-production between Italian and West German studios and premiered on 2 August 1980.
What is the main plot of Contamination?
A cyclops-like alien dispatches human agents to scatter eggs across the globe. Once those eggs hatch, they release a gelatinous substance that causes anyone who comes into contact with it to explode. The uncut running time is roughly 95 minutes.
Who stars in Contamination?
The principal cast includes Ian McCulloch, Louise Marleau, and Marino Masé. The film was scored by the Italian group Goblin, whose soundtrack received particular praise from reviewers.
How was Contamination received by critics and audiences?
Reviews came in mostly mixed-to-negative, with the Goblin score being the most frequently highlighted positive. Despite the lukewarm critical response, it has since gained a cult following among fans of 1980s Italian sci-fi horror.
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