Ridley Scott’s 2017 science fiction horror movie, Alien: Covenant, takes viewers to a scary and fascinating unknown world. This film is the sixth part of the popular Alien series and comes after Prometheus (2012). The movie has a wonderful cast, including Michael Fassbender, Demián Bichir, Danny McBride, and Katherine Waterston. Their excellent acting brings the terrifying story to life, making the audience feel the fear and danger of a space crew fighting against an alien threat.
The main story of the movie is about the spaceship Covenant and its crew, who are on a mission to colonize a faraway planet. What starts as a peaceful mission quickly turns into a horrifying battle for survival against a deadly alien creature. The movie also explores interesting themes like creation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the dangers of power.
Alien: Covenant received mixed reviews from critics, but it was mostly liked by the audience. Michael Fassbender’s performance as the two android characters, David and Walter, was especially praised. The movie’s visual effects were also appreciated. Although the film did not win any big awards, it was nominated for Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards and Best Visual Effects at the Empire Awards. It also received several other nominations from different award shows.
Where was “Alien: Covenant” Filmed?
Alien: Covenant was filmed in some beautiful and exotic places around the world. The movie mainly used stunning locations in New South Wales, Australia, and New Zealand to create a visually amazing experience.
Southland, New Zealand
Milford Sound, Southland: One of the most breathtaking scenes in Alien: Covenant is when the Covenant’s team lands on a mysterious, Earth-like planet. This scene was filmed at Milford Sound, located in Fiordland National Park, on the southwest coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Milford Sound is famous for its towering mountains, deep blue waters, and beautiful waterfalls. It is one of the most stunning natural locations in the world, and it adds a magical touch to the film.
In the movie, the filmmakers used the natural beauty of Milford Sound to create the eerie and mysterious atmosphere of the alien planet. They digitally added some giant fallen trees to make the setting look even more otherworldly. Milford Sound is known as Piopiotahi in the Māori language and is celebrated worldwide for its breathtaking scenery. In fact, it was named the world’s top travel destination by TripAdvisor in the 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards.
Sutherland Falls, Southland: Another key location in Alien: Covenant is Sutherland Falls, also in the Southland region of New Zealand. This location is featured in a tense scene where two crew members, Ledward and Hallett, come across alien spores that infect them. The spores are part of the planet’s strange and dangerous flora, and their encounter with the spores sets off a terrifying chain of events. Sutherland Falls is a majestic waterfall that drops 580 meters in three beautiful cascades from Lake Quill. This location is not only visually stunning but also adds to the feeling of isolation and danger that the characters face. Sutherland Falls has also been featured in other films, such as The Hobbit, making it a favorite spot for filmmakers.
Lady Elizabeth Bowen Falls, Milford Sound Highway, Southland: One of the most intense scenes in Alien: Covenant takes place near the Lady Elizabeth Bowen Falls, located along the Milford Sound Highway. In this scene, a new and terrifying alien creature, the neomorph, bursts out of Ledward’s back, killing him instantly. The creature then attacks and kills Karine before turning on Maggie, who tries to fight it off with a shotgun. Unfortunately, Maggie’s plan goes wrong, and the lander she is in explodes, killing her as well.
New South Wales, Australia
Sydney Water Reservoir Site, Potts Hill, New South Wales: In Alien: Covenant, the team discovers a terrifying and barren city populated by a mystery race known as the Engineers. This scene was filmed at the Sydney Water Reservoir site at Potts Hill, a suburb in western Sydney, Australia. The filmmakers converted this location into the haunting, abandoned metropolis where the Engineers once resided.
This place has a history of being used for significant film shoots. It also appeared in the blockbuster film Mad Max: Fury Road. Although the set for Alien: Covenant no longer exists, the place remains interesting to fans and visitors who wish to learn more about the film.
Fox Studios Australia, Moore Park, New South Wales: The final location we’ll explore is Fox Studios Australia, located in Moore Park, near Sydney, New South Wales. Some of the most intense and dramatic scenes in Alien: Covenant, including the confrontation between David and Walter, were filmed here. Fox Studios Australia is a well-known filming location that has hosted many major productions, including Moulin Rouge!, The Matrix, Mission: Impossible 2, and several Star Wars films.
Established in 1998, Fox Studios Australia offers state-of-the-art facilities for filmmakers. The scenes shot here in Alien: Covenant include some of the interior shots of the Engineer City, as well as the gripping showdown between the two androids, David and Walter, both played by Michael Fassbender.
Alien: Covenant takes viewers on a journey through some of the most beautiful and mysterious locations in New Zealand and Australia. From the stunning Milford Sound to the haunting Engineer City in Sydney, the film’s locations add to the suspense and atmosphere of the story. These locations are not only visually striking but also play a crucial role in bringing the world of Alien: Covenant to life. Fans of the film, as well as travelers, can explore these locations and experience the magic of these incredible places for themselves.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Alien: Covenant
Q: Where was Alien: Covenant filmed?
A: Alien: Covenant was filmed in several stunning locations, including New South Wales in Australia and various spots in New Zealand. The main indoor scenes were shot at Fox Studios Australia in Moore Park, Sydney. The beautiful outdoor scenes, such as the spaceship landing, were filmed at Milford Sound and Sutherland Falls in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. The ‘Engineer City’ ruins were filmed at the Sydney Water Reservoir site in Potts Hill, Australia.
Q: When was Alien: Covenant filmed?
A: The filming of Alien: Covenant began in April 2016 and was completed in July 2016. The production took place over several months, with the crew working in various locations in Australia and New Zealand.
Q: What are some key locations used in Alien: Covenant?
A: Some key locations used in Alien: Covenant include Fox Studios Australia in Moore Park, Sydney; Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand; Sutherland Falls in Southland, New Zealand; and the Sydney Water Reservoir site in Potts Hill, Australia. These locations provided the breathtaking and eerie backdrops for the movie’s space exploration and alien encounters.
Q: When was Alien: Covenant released?
A: Alien: Covenant was released in the United States on May 19, 2017. The movie had earlier premieres in London on May 4, 2017, and in Australia on May 11, 2017.
Q: What is the connection between Alien: Covenant and its filming locations?
A: The filming locations in Alien: Covenant played a crucial role in creating the movie’s eerie and otherworldly atmosphere. The stunning landscapes of New Zealand, such as Milford Sound and Sutherland Falls, provided the perfect setting for the alien planet, while the Sydney Water Reservoir site was transformed into the haunting ‘Engineer City’ ruins. These locations helped bring the terrifying world of Alien: Covenant to life on screen.
