Dan O'Bannon died too young, of Crohn's Disease, an intestinal disorder that makes you feel as if something is bursting out of your abdomen. According to Mr. O'B, this inspired the alien in "Alien."
@@Agora42069 British cult classic tv series from 1988 to 1999 on BBC and then Dave channel took over and brought it back in 2009 until present. It spans over 12 series and one tv film and is one of the greatest series of all time. Sci-fi comedy sitcom and if you have never seen it you are in for a treat :) My favorite series of all time is Twin Peaks just for the record and Riget (mini series remade into Kingdom hospital by Steven King ), Buffy the Vampire slayer and Utopia make up the rest of my top 5. With highly honorary mentions going to The Fringe/ Press Gang/ Spaced/ Coupling amongst many others :)
I first saw Dark Star on the BBC in the late 70s and thought a country and western song playing over the opening credits was pure genius, and when Pinback accidentally kills the beachball alien with the tranquilizer gun I nearly choked on my cheese and ham sarnie. I'm 64 now and when ever I watch this flik that scene still has the same effect on me so there's no chewing on a cheese and ham sarnies, just to be on the safe side...
I knew absolutely nothing about this movie...just went to the drive in as it was the thing to do. This became a cult classic and certainly a favorite of mine.
This film was a staple at science fiction conventions in the 1970s. You haven't lived until you've heard a few hundred fen singing this along with the soundtrack, now and at the end of the film. In 1997, I visited Benson -- the kid at the convenience store didn't know about the song, the manager grinned.
I have been in ALL 50 states and visited six continents....but have not yet been to Benson, AZ. My wife wants to visit the UFO museum at Roswell and when we do that will definitly swing through Benson.
After all this years, more than 40, I love this movie like no other. The ship's voice is my hidden love, the voice of Nr. 20 is Shakespeare. Now I'm 63, I have never forgotten this masterpiece.📺
Introduced to me by my Dad - it was on the BBC probably as part of sci fi films season to coincide with the release of Star Wars circa 1978 ish. We loved it, full circle time going to introduce it to my kid this weekend.
Wow that is the most unique piece of trivia, thanks and can't wait to use it. Hey do you know who is preforming the song and the famous author, who's short story was also an influence in the final scene of the film.
A million stars shine down But I see only one I think I’m over you I find I’ve just begun The years move faster than the days There’s no warmth in the light How I miss those desert skies Your cool touch in the night Benson Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair My body flies the galaxy, my heart longs to be there Benson Arizona, the same stars in the sky But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them you and I Now the years pull us apart I’m young but now you’re old But your still in my heart And the memory won’t grow cold I dream of times and spaces I left far behind Where we spent our last few days Bensons on my mind Benson Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair My body flies the galaxy, my heart longs to be there Benson Arizona, the same stars in the sky But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them you and I
A million suns shine down But I see only one Try to think I’m over you I found I’ve just begun The years go faster than the days There’s no warmth in the light And how I miss those desert skies Your cool touch in the night Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair My body flies the galaxies My heart longs to be there Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky But they seem so much kinder when we watch them, you and I Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair My body flies the galaxies My heart longs to be there Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky But they seem so much kinder when we watch them, you and I Now the years pull us apart I’m young and now you’re old But you’re still in my heart The memory won’t go cold I dream of times and spaces I left far behind Where we spent our last few days Benson’s on my mind Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair My body flies the galaxies My heart longs to be there Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky But they seem so much kinder when we watch them, you and I That’s what I think it is, anyways
It's predictive programming like most fantasy movies. Predictive programming for the Elite's Hoax Alien threat to create a new world order and new religion that suits the needs of the Elite. In the hoax, angels will be reimagined as fictional "Alien Greys", and God as an indestructible, unassailable ancient alien artificial intelligence judging man. So we get stories of A.I. brining an apocalypse or some other threat like terminator or the Matrix. Telling children the story so as adults they'll think it's possible.
I've been a sci/fi fan since the 50's, but this movie to me has always been an offbeat cut above all of the others....I mean truly intelligent bombs one can actually have a philosophical discussion with!
...anyone who enjoys this bit of underrated cinema is an unusual person. I certainly qualify. I am among the few people who first read the book ( not even knowing it had been done as a film ) back in the early 70's. I knew from reading it that it was a masterpiece. Then I caught the film at the old Biograph Theatre in DC, double featured with "Dr Strangelove". It is one of the few movies I have seen that is even better than the book. The acting is a disarming mix of slap stick, dead pan, deeply serious reflection, loneliness, wit, pathos, irony. I find parts of the movie profoundly moving, especially where it touches on loneliness. If you haven't seen it yet, I envy you- you're in for a treat! Not a good first date movie, mind you--but a good weed-out movie to take someone you are thinking about getting serious about to see how they react to the whole phenomenological discussion with bomb #20. Fkg brilliant!
Still a John Carpenter classic. Despite its age, this film outshines several of his more modern works. It's brimming with experimentation and exploration- elements that would define his career.
I was so stoned when I first watched this. 30 odd years later I feel it again. I taped the film audio and listened to it on my Walkman. I listened to it as I walked about and worked during the day. I played this over and over again.
@@Setebos When compared to Dark Star, I think Star Trek sucked with its predictable and boring milquetoast plots. My oldest son could never understand my total lack of enthusiasm regarding Star Trek and one day told him...Star Trek is "Bonanza in Space".
@@blackholeentry3489 Interesting that my own son and I are in the process of going through the original episodes and discussing them. Despite our love for the franchise we're having a difficult time slogging through the third season.
@@Setebos I grew up in the 50's when some sci/fi shows were broadcast via radio and I used to listen to them on my old dome topped Atwater/Kent radio. Namely, X minus one and Tom Corbet...long time before Star Trek. By today's standards, they were pretty tame, but, at the time I found them riveting. Lucky you. Even though I raised two sons, neither had any interest in sci/fi...and still don't. I've also been an active astronomer, have several large telescopes, but truthfully, the town where I live has quadrupled in size with the accompanying light pollution, so it has been about 15 years since I have done any real observing. For years I had an observation site on a 3500' ridge 110 miles away and used to go down there every summer for at least a week, but I am nearing 81 and haven't done this for several years. Instead, I take long trips on my motorcycle. Six years ago I took a long ride around the USA on a mission to 'bag' the 16 states I had never been in....all east of the MS River. Six weeks later and a motel bill over $4,000, I did. BHE
A very humble beginning for some people who went on to do great things in just a very few years afterward, and one of the most memorable science fiction movies ever made. I loved this movie the first time I saw it at a sci-fi con in '81 and never missed it whenever it came up at the local rep cinema.
One fun fact i don't see talked about much with this film is that Nick Castle, whose credited as the Camera assistant, is the same Nick Castle who played Michael Myers and co-wrote Escape from New York. He also voices the beach ball alien, so if you ever wanted to see Alien vs Michael Myers, this is as close as you're gonna get.
Been a big fan of this movie sin I first saw it on The Movie Channel back in 1979/80 always wanted to hear the full song (Benson,Az.). Now I can. Love It!
I just found a remake (I think) of Benson - www.amazon.com/Assault-Precinct-music-Motion-Pictures/dp/B00TW0S5E2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1514855843&sr=8-12&keywords=dark+star+soundtrack Been playing it back-to-back on Spotify :)
With T'Pal passing by with a padd doing inventory, doing the Vulcan "Fascinating Eyebrow" thing at the slightly off-key caterwauling, then shaking her head slightly and moving down the corridor. XD
He was also responsible for the jump to light speed star smearing effect used in Dark Star and later in Star Wars, which he also worked on. Not so spectacular today, but no one had ever figured out how to portray mind boggling speed effectively before.
Alex Patterson just played this to close The Orb's 30 year anniversary show here in Phoenix. I imagine he played it just for us Arizonians even though most of the audience didn't know what it was ("why are they playing a country song?")
It's crazy to think we may not have had any of the Alien franchise without this film. Or any of the classic Carpenter films (e.g. The Thing, Halloween series, In The Mouth of Madness, Escape From New York, They Live, Big Trouble in Little China). Or even Total Recall (1990)! Dark Star indirectly changed film forever. Dan O'Bannon met with Ron Shusett because the latter was impressed with the former's work on Dark Star and they came up with the Alien script/pitch together. O'Bannon was also disappointed with his work on this movie and that was a huge part of his motivation to write a horror movie. He also met HR Giger on the set of Jodorowsky's Dune which was never realized, and of course Giger became essential to Alien. RIP Dan O'Bannon. He was a one of a kind.
Now the seasons spin on by, like seconds on the Ship. And I'll take another pull from the flask that's at my hip. The mighta-beens and the never-weres can drive a man insane So I think I'll stay out in the Void 'cause Benson's not the same...
+Bat Bohican Spacetime relativistic never-can-go-home C&W. Above is the "lost stanza" not used in the movie, search the Joe Bethancourt version on YT. (Either that, or this one above is known, and there's yet a fourth besides!) B-18 on that same juke: If you miss the ship I'm on, then you'll know that I am gone. You can see the fusion-flare, a billion miles. One billion miles, two billion miles, three billion miles, four billion miles... Lord I'm five billion miles away from home. Got no suit on my back, not one Credit to my name. Lord I can't go a-home thisaway...
Just did CWRU Sc-Fi Marathons in Cleveland last weekend. Been doing their Marathon design for 45 years :) This year for donations they chopped up old un-usable prints of 2001 and Dark Star and I grabbed the whole last reel of Dark Star :)
The whole thing has the feel of sitting in a beatup old Ford in the desert, with a beer and a cigarette at two in the morning, with this playing out of an 8 track...
When I was little we'd drive out to visit my granddad who lived in the country and we'd usually stay a few days. Apart from the majestic beauty and natural splendour, it was boring as fuck. Literally the only entertainment was a TV that only had access to hilariously low budget rural TV stations, and also a VCR. The only tapes he had were a bunch of random crap he'd recorded off the TV and _this_ movie for some reason. So really the only thing to do was watch Dark Star a bunch of times, which I did. Still has one of my favourite sci-fi comedy ideas which is a crew member arguing with a bomb that has sentient AI about whether it should explode or not. And I love that that's how they ended the movie (spoilers I guess), with the bomb finally coming to the conclusion that it should explode because it has no other function so it does and that's it, everyone dies, the end. No film studio on Earth would let you make shit like this anymore.
Who’s here watching this in Fall of 2021, and noticing how the domed window at 1:45 looks a lot the like domed window on the SpaceX Dragon capsule used for the Inspiration 4 mission? …hello? Anyone? Is anybody there? …crickets…
Saturday night.....going to the movie was just the THING to do. Was quite shocked when this played and have watched it many times since. Did the same thing with Easy Rider....finally, at age 84, just gave my 'last' motorcycle to my youngest son.
A million suns shine down But I see only one Try to think I’m over you I find I’ve just begun The years move faster than the days There’s no warmth in the light And how I miss those desert skies Your cool touch in the night Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair My body flies the galaxies My heart longs to be there Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them, you and I Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair My body flies the galaxies My heart longs to be there Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them, you and I Now the years pull us apart I’m young and now you’re old But you’re still in my heart The memory won’t go cold I dream of times and spaces I left far behind Where we spent our last few days Benson’s on my mind Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair My body flies the galaxy My heart longs to be there Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them, you and I.
When I heard it was going to start playing at the Carolina Theater in Chapel Hill on a Thursday, I made plans to go see it the next Saturday night. When I got to the theater on Saturday, they'd already pulled it! It was 4 years later that I got to see it on HBO...by renting a motel room in Greensboro, NC.
Watched it last night for the first time in maybe 40 years and utterly loved it! The alien and the elevator scene are hilarious and clearly a massive inspiration for a certain Ridley Scott movie we all know 👍
At 0:43, if you look at the shoulder patch he's wearing, that's my old unit. 40th IBCT I know, I know, no one cares, but I never thought I'd see that patch in a cult classic sci fi movie.
I have driven through Bensin, Arizona in a rental car with all the windows down singing this. A Scrabble tournament and a desire to see the giant rose bush in Tombstone made it inevitable…
i love the chorus so much, I hadn't paid much attention to the verses. Thanks so much for posting them, now this song is another order-of-magnitude better! Incidentally, the Movies! TV network ran this movie today during the Saturday afternoon segment called Popcorn movies. Keep an eye out for it, its' very likely to return)
Anyone else, like me, come back and listen to this because you actually like it? 😊
Yup!
Hell yes!
It's a catchy song!
I love it.
Often!
The inspiration for Red Dwarf, the blueprint for Alien, the start of Carpenter's career... One truly important movie.
Don't forget Dan O'Bannon's career. Alien was 100% his creation and was a direct offshoot from the Beachball in Dark Star
Dan O'Bannon died too young, of Crohn's Disease, an intestinal disorder that makes you feel as if something is bursting out of your abdomen. According to Mr. O'B, this inspired the alien in "Alien."
Red Dwarf! 3> or wha
What's red dwarf?
@@Agora42069 British cult classic tv series from 1988 to 1999 on BBC and then Dave channel took over and brought it back in 2009 until present. It spans over 12 series and one tv film and is one of the greatest series of all time. Sci-fi comedy sitcom and if you have never seen it you are in for a treat :)
My favorite series of all time is Twin Peaks just for the record and Riget (mini series remade into Kingdom hospital by Steven King ), Buffy the Vampire slayer and Utopia make up the rest of my top 5. With highly honorary mentions going to The Fringe/ Press Gang/ Spaced/ Coupling amongst many others :)
The grateful town of Benson renamed one of its major streets “Dark Star Road.”
What a great piece of trivia.
Im affraid i cant let you do that...
DAVE
I first saw Dark Star on the BBC in the late 70s and thought a country and western song playing over the opening credits was pure genius, and when Pinback accidentally kills the beachball alien with the tranquilizer gun I nearly choked on my cheese and ham sarnie. I'm 64 now and when ever I watch this flik that scene still has the same effect on me so there's no chewing on a cheese and ham sarnies, just to be on the safe side...
My biggest thrill on my trip through southern USA. I went to Benson Arizona and drove down the main street playing this song.
Beyond cool! I've been in every state in the USA, mostly via my motorcycle, but have never made it to Benson, AZ.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 that's hysterical! hope you had fun doing it 👍🏼 ...and you didn't get harassed by anyone
Can't say it's all that impressive and there's not a whole lot here but I guess I can't talk too much shit because i live there
were the locals rather amazed?
@metalhead6526 It's a good place to sleep and not have your house broken into. Its not all that depressing
This film is a cult favorite among my family. Not many people know about or appreciate this little gem.
Agreed. Joel Caine's Phantom of the Movies guide turned me onto it in the early 90's.
I knew absolutely nothing about this movie...just went to the drive in as it was the thing to do. This became a cult classic and certainly a favorite of mine.
Да , фильм эпичный ) особенно концовка
My dad used to rewind this movie on vhs cassette just for this music :) Cheers...
@@madfeldor One of my favorite replays.
A shoestring can go a long way if a genius ties the string. The conversation with the bomb blew me away :)
The ice cube trays used for the control panel.
more or less the script for Alien .
Pretty much blew everyone away
A bomb can sound quite profound when properly programmed....and mentally outmaneuver Einstien.
@@blackholeentry3489 Let there be light...
This film was a staple at science fiction conventions in the 1970s. You haven't lived until you've heard a few hundred fen singing this along with the soundtrack, now and at the end of the film. In 1997, I visited Benson -- the kid at the convenience store didn't know about the song, the manager grinned.
I have been in ALL 50 states and visited six continents....but have not yet been to Benson, AZ.
My wife wants to visit the UFO museum at Roswell and when we do that will definitly swing through Benson.
This tune will still be relatively fresh in a couple thousand years
The years pull you apart, the song's still young and now you're old.
Finally saw this flick a few months ago, and this song has been stuck in my head almost every day since. Now Benson Arizona is always on my mind too.
My wife wants me to take her to the UFO museum in Roswell, NM. Think we'll arrange to also visit Benson.
@@bshaw71 That's alright....have a great car for it...an 88 Pontiac Fiero V6 5-speed....only true mid-engine car ever made in USA.
No. You need a Plymouth Satellite that’s faster than the speed of light to take you to Benson AZ and then on to Planet Claire.
After all this years, more than 40, I love this movie like no other. The ship's voice is my hidden love, the voice of Nr. 20 is Shakespeare. Now I'm 63, I have never forgotten this masterpiece.📺
Introduced to me by my Dad - it was on the BBC probably as part of sci fi films season to coincide with the release of Star Wars circa 1978 ish. We loved it, full circle time going to introduce it to my kid this weekend.
For the "Dark Star" completists in the audience, the comic Pinback is reading is issue #119 of DC's "Falling in Love". Released in November of 1970.
Wow that is the most unique piece of trivia, thanks and can't wait to use it.
Hey do you know who is preforming the song and the famous author, who's short story was also an influence in the final scene of the film.
This might be my favorite ever UA-cam comment. Talk about deep cut!
A million stars shine down
But I see only one
I think I’m over you
I find I’ve just begun
The years move faster than the days
There’s no warmth in the light
How I miss those desert skies
Your cool touch in the night
Benson Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxy, my heart longs to be there
Benson Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them you and I
Now the years pull us apart
I’m young but now you’re old
But your still in my heart
And the memory won’t grow cold
I dream of times and spaces
I left far behind
Where we spent our last few days
Bensons on my mind
Benson Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxy, my heart longs to be there
Benson Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them you and I
I only wish I could give you more than one thumbs up.
A million suns shine down
But I see only one
Try to think I’m over you
I found I’ve just begun
The years go faster than the days
There’s no warmth in the light
And how I miss those desert skies
Your cool touch in the night
Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxies
My heart longs to be there
Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seem so much kinder when we watch them, you and I
Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxies
My heart longs to be there
Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seem so much kinder when we watch them, you and I
Now the years pull us apart
I’m young and now you’re old
But you’re still in my heart
The memory won’t go cold
I dream of times and spaces
I left far behind
Where we spent our last few days
Benson’s on my mind
Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxies
My heart longs to be there
Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seem so much kinder when we watch them, you and I
That’s what I think it is, anyways
Nice refinement, Rabbit. I love this mock tribute by John Carpenter to Benson Arizona....! Oh, let's go to Benson.
You forgot, lets gets some music in here, Boiler
@@JGLewis-jn2km you know there's s Dark Star Road in Benson Arizona, I hope?
Very strong messages and interesting plot. Loved that film.
A couple of beers, a spliff and this movie. Priceless.
That’s exactly what I did last night dude!
Just saw the movie. The bomb is the best character.
Let there be light.
And bomb's voice... priceless :))))
Talk about SMART bombs!
Yea, love how Bomb just got exasperated with them and eventually was totally done with their sh!t.
It's predictive programming like most fantasy movies. Predictive programming for the Elite's Hoax Alien threat to create a new world order and new religion that suits the needs of the Elite. In the hoax, angels will be reimagined as fictional "Alien Greys", and God as an indestructible, unassailable ancient alien artificial intelligence judging man. So we get stories of A.I. brining an apocalypse or some other threat like terminator or the Matrix. Telling children the story so as adults they'll think it's possible.
One of my ALL TIME favorite movies 💕👍
I've been a sci/fi fan since the 50's, but this movie to me has always been an offbeat cut above all of the others....I mean truly intelligent bombs one can actually have a philosophical discussion with!
One of my favorite films of all time! and what a great song
...anyone who enjoys this bit of underrated cinema is an unusual person. I certainly qualify. I am among the few people who first read the book ( not even knowing it had been done as a film ) back in the early 70's. I knew from reading it that it was a masterpiece. Then I caught the film at the old Biograph Theatre in DC, double featured with "Dr Strangelove". It is one of the few movies I have seen that is even better than the book. The acting is a disarming mix of slap stick, dead pan, deeply serious reflection, loneliness, wit, pathos, irony. I find parts of the movie profoundly moving, especially where it touches on loneliness. If you haven't seen it yet, I envy you- you're in for a treat! Not a good first date movie, mind you--but a good weed-out movie to take someone you are thinking about getting serious about to see how they react to the whole phenomenological discussion with bomb #20.
Fkg brilliant!
Point of interest; the novelization was written by Alan Dean Foster, the author of the Star Wars book "Splinter in the Mind's Eye".
Truly brilliant movie made on a shoestring budget. Inspiration for many films that follow
Still a John Carpenter classic. Despite its age, this film outshines several of his more modern works. It's brimming with experimentation and exploration- elements that would define his career.
I was so stoned when I first watched this. 30 odd years later I feel it again. I taped the film audio and listened to it on my Walkman. I listened to it as I walked about and worked during the day. I played this over and over again.
That’s me today after hearing/seeing this film for the first time
Pinback: There's a 98% probability of intelligent life in the Horsehead Nebula sector!
Dolittle: Who cares.
I wanna blow something up!
What wouldn't you give to hear that exchange on a Star Trek episode?
@@Setebos When compared to Dark Star, I think Star Trek sucked with its predictable and boring milquetoast plots. My oldest son could never understand my total lack of enthusiasm regarding Star Trek and one day told him...Star Trek is "Bonanza in Space".
@@blackholeentry3489 Interesting that my own son and I are in the process of going through the original episodes and discussing them. Despite our love for the franchise we're having a difficult time slogging through the third season.
@@Setebos I grew up in the 50's when some sci/fi shows were broadcast via radio and I used to listen to them on my old dome topped Atwater/Kent radio. Namely, X minus one and Tom Corbet...long time before Star Trek. By today's standards, they were pretty tame, but, at the time I found them riveting.
Lucky you. Even though I raised two sons, neither had any interest in sci/fi...and still don't.
I've also been an active astronomer, have several large telescopes, but truthfully, the town where I live has quadrupled in size with the accompanying light pollution, so it has been about 15 years since I have done any real observing. For years I had an observation site on a 3500' ridge 110 miles away and used to go down there every summer for at least a week, but I am nearing 81 and haven't done this for several years. Instead, I take long trips on my motorcycle. Six years ago I took a long ride around the USA on a mission to 'bag' the 16 states I had never been in....all east of the MS River. Six weeks later and a motel bill over $4,000, I did.
BHE
...it's amazing how the juxtaposition of the onscreen imagery with the song works so perfectly when, by all rights, it probably shouldn't.
A very humble beginning for some people who went on to do great things in just a very few years afterward, and one of the most memorable science fiction movies ever made. I loved this movie the first time I saw it at a sci-fi con in '81 and never missed it whenever it came up at the local rep cinema.
One fun fact i don't see talked about much with this film is that Nick Castle, whose credited as the Camera assistant, is the same Nick Castle who played Michael Myers and co-wrote Escape from New York. He also voices the beach ball alien, so if you ever wanted to see Alien vs Michael Myers, this is as close as you're gonna get.
I really love this song
A moment of movie perfection enjoy every second of this great film.
The years move faster than the days…
Oh wow there Is a song about the town I was born and raised in.
I worked in Benson and the nites are Beautiful
...and I will visit Benson, Arizona. In Oct ´18. Greetings from Germany!
viel Spaß!
Danke!
Even though I have been in ALL 50 states and, stood on six continents, I have never yet been to Benson.....but, it is on my 'short' list.
This was a helluva movie, some great ideas here
Simply because of this song, several years ago while on a motorcycle trip, I rearranged my scheduled trip and rode to and through Benson.
And, so so SO glorious when the chill astronaut surfs aboard driftwood to his death at the end to this song!
this version of benson, arizona, directly from the movie is my favorite... all 96 kbps of it.
Here in Benson!
'Thanks'(🙄)to a GreyHoundBus
Been 40years BUT
I made it 😂!!
Still on my Bucket list....and, I've visited ALL 50 states and six continents.
@@blackholeentry3489 don't worry, you'll make it!
(Just don't burn up on re-entry!)
Been a big fan of this movie sin I first saw it on The Movie Channel back in 1979/80 always wanted to hear the full song (Benson,Az.). Now I can. Love It!
I just found a remake (I think) of Benson - www.amazon.com/Assault-Precinct-music-Motion-Pictures/dp/B00TW0S5E2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1514855843&sr=8-12&keywords=dark+star+soundtrack
Been playing it back-to-back on Spotify :)
I always thought Star Trek Enterprise should have had a drunken Trip and Reed singing this as a homage in "Shuttlepod One".
With T'Pal passing by with a padd doing inventory, doing the Vulcan "Fascinating Eyebrow" thing at the slightly off-key caterwauling, then shaking her head slightly and moving down the corridor. XD
That would have been awesome
I always thought this movie left Star Trek in the dust.
Dan O'Bannon acted in this. He later went on to write Alien and Total Recall.
Lest not forget The Resurrected :)
He was also responsible for the jump to light speed star smearing effect used in Dark Star and later in Star Wars, which he also worked on. Not so spectacular today, but no one had ever figured out how to portray mind boggling speed effectively before.
Blue Thunder, too.
Alex Patterson just played this to close The Orb's 30 year anniversary show here in Phoenix. I imagine he played it just for us Arizonians even though most of the audience didn't know what it was ("why are they playing a country song?")
One of my two most-favorite (and probably the only) songs about time dilation along with '39 by Queen...
I remember going to the theater stoned out of my head to watch this movie, laughed so hard when the Beachball came up I’ll never forget
It's crazy to think we may not have had any of the Alien franchise without this film. Or any of the classic Carpenter films (e.g. The Thing, Halloween series, In The Mouth of Madness, Escape From New York, They Live, Big Trouble in Little China). Or even Total Recall (1990)! Dark Star indirectly changed film forever. Dan O'Bannon met with Ron Shusett because the latter was impressed with the former's work on Dark Star and they came up with the Alien script/pitch together. O'Bannon was also disappointed with his work on this movie and that was a huge part of his motivation to write a horror movie. He also met HR Giger on the set of Jodorowsky's Dune which was never realized, and of course Giger became essential to Alien. RIP Dan O'Bannon. He was a one of a kind.
one of my best films..🎉🎉
My dad loved this music. I love this also, and the movie. Cheers... Dum de dum, wish I... yes. Thank you for this poster and everyone.
Now the seasons spin on by, like seconds on the Ship.
And I'll take another pull
from the flask that's at my hip.
The mighta-beens and the never-weres can drive a man insane
So I think I'll stay out in the Void
'cause Benson's not the same...
+wbeaty Godsdammit man, that's good. Is that a Who reference in there?
+Bat Bohican Spacetime relativistic never-can-go-home C&W. Above is the "lost stanza" not used in the movie, search the Joe Bethancourt version on YT. (Either that, or this one above is known, and there's yet a fourth besides!)
B-18 on that same juke:
If you miss the ship I'm on, then you'll know that I am gone.
You can see the fusion-flare, a billion miles.
One billion miles, two billion miles, three billion miles, four billion miles...
Lord I'm five billion miles away from home.
Got no suit on my back, not one Credit to my name.
Lord I can't go a-home thisaway...
Why does this song slap so insanely hard tho
Watched this 5 times this week. Its john carpenter month for me. I plan to watch it 10 more times before Sunday.
This song is the best part of this movie.
Just did CWRU Sc-Fi Marathons in Cleveland last weekend. Been doing their Marathon design for 45 years :) This year for donations they chopped up old un-usable prints of 2001 and Dark Star and I grabbed the whole last reel of Dark Star :)
Had lunch in Benson Arizona yesterday.....7/17/2022
Thanks for the very insightful description
The whole thing has the feel of sitting in a beatup old Ford in the desert, with a beer and a cigarette at two in the morning, with this playing out of an 8 track...
Got this classic on Blu ray,A Classic 48 years later ❤️🎼🎵🎸🥁
Where we spent our last few days, Benson's on my mind. Beautiful
if only this version was on spotify...
When I was little we'd drive out to visit my granddad who lived in the country and we'd usually stay a few days.
Apart from the majestic beauty and natural splendour, it was boring as fuck. Literally the only entertainment was a TV that only had access to hilariously low budget rural TV stations, and also a VCR. The only tapes he had were a bunch of random crap he'd recorded off the TV and _this_ movie for some reason. So really the only thing to do was watch Dark Star a bunch of times, which I did.
Still has one of my favourite sci-fi comedy ideas which is a crew member arguing with a bomb that has sentient AI about whether it should explode or not. And I love that that's how they ended the movie (spoilers I guess), with the bomb finally coming to the conclusion that it should explode because it has no other function so it does and that's it, everyone dies, the end. No film studio on Earth would let you make shit like this anymore.
Grew up 45 minutes from Benson. We are screening this movie tonight and we were all shocked.
Who’s here watching this in Fall of 2021, and noticing how the domed window at 1:45 looks a lot the like domed window on the SpaceX Dragon capsule used for the Inspiration 4 mission?
…hello? Anyone? Is anybody there? …crickets…
A random youtube comment quoting this brought me here.
I love it.
I love this movie. I've seen it at least 100 times.
Pretty good song actually. I always loved this film. About time for a rewatch I think.
Love this movie.. I originally stumbled across it as a VHS rental years ago....
Saturday night.....going to the movie was just the THING to do. Was quite shocked when this played and have watched it many times since. Did the same thing with Easy Rider....finally, at age 84, just gave my 'last' motorcycle to my youngest son.
A million suns shine down
But I see only one
Try to think I’m over you
I find I’ve just begun
The years move faster than the days
There’s no warmth in the light
And how I miss those desert skies
Your cool touch in the night
Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxies
My heart longs to be there
Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them, you and I
Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxies
My heart longs to be there
Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them, you and I
Now the years pull us apart
I’m young and now you’re old
But you’re still in my heart
The memory won’t go cold
I dream of times and spaces
I left far behind
Where we spent our last few days
Benson’s on my mind
Benson, Arizona, blew warm wind through your hair
My body flies the galaxy
My heart longs to be there
Benson, Arizona, the same stars in the sky
But they seemed so much kinder when we watched them, you and I.
I always love this movie!!!!
Damn, I love this film.
Brilliant movie really inspired just shows what can be done with imagination and off the wall humour
I was watching episode 5 of Book of Boba Fett. The minute I saw the new ship I started singing “Benson, Arizona”. Nice Easter egg!
These particular hippies are so uncool. I love 'em!
When I heard it was going to start playing at the Carolina Theater in Chapel Hill on a Thursday, I made plans to go see it the next Saturday night.
When I got to the theater on Saturday, they'd already pulled it!
It was 4 years later that I got to see it on HBO...by renting a motel room in Greensboro, NC.
There is a road in Benson, Az, called Dark Star Road.
Ha…. I grew up in Benson.
My all time favorite 'Cult' sci/fi movie.
Watched it last night for the first time in maybe 40 years and utterly loved it! The alien and the elevator scene are hilarious and clearly a massive inspiration for a certain Ridley Scott movie we all know 👍
same here! caught it on the Movie channel.
At 0:43, if you look at the shoulder patch he's wearing, that's my old unit. 40th IBCT I know, I know, no one cares, but I never thought I'd see that patch in a cult classic sci fi movie.
Anytime I play any space game... I must reference this.
This movie is so good
I have an unerie need to watch the whole movie now.
Work of genius
Same stars in the sky but they seemed so much kinder as we watched them you and i.
Great lyrics!
Pinback it is about time that you feed the alien!
Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...i dont wanna do that
@x D3G3N3R8 NATION x Pinback...."That Alien is Evil and LUSTS after my Broom!"
May I remind you, Sgt. Pinback, that it was your idea to bring the alien onboard. If I may quote you; you said the ship needed a mascot.
that fkin beach ball with hands XD
Returning because I may take up living in the Garage during our EXTENDED 3 WEEKS LOCKDOWN.
David and Lily in Reading England.
I love this song :)!
I so love song
Spinal Tap in Space..... Brilliance!
No 7 No on my top 10 list of favourite films ❤
still Carpenter's most enjoyable movie
One of my favourite films, it was shot on 16mm home movie cameras.
LET THEIR BE LIGHT BRILLIENT
This music show did set the tone for this dark and dangerous mission. Plus, the ships entire supply of toilet paper was destroyed.
If Bomb was still around he would love this song
Best alien that looked like a beach ball ever. ;)
I live in benson Arizona haha
This hit song put Benson on the map! …or maybe not. 😆. But the song plays in my head every time I see the road sign along I-10, as I pass by.
One of my favorites!
I have driven through Bensin, Arizona in a rental car with all the windows down singing this. A Scrabble tournament and a desire to see the giant rose bush in Tombstone made it inevitable…
I'm willing to bet you weren't the first. BHE
i love the chorus so much, I hadn't paid much attention to the verses. Thanks so much for posting them, now this song is another order-of-magnitude better!
Incidentally, the Movies! TV network ran this movie today during the Saturday afternoon segment called Popcorn movies. Keep an eye out for it, its' very likely to return)
I lived in Benson for 7 years. Still own property there.
What the heck is taking you so long on getting out...?
"Dark Star" beats the stuffing out of "THX-1138"
Epic.