Prometheus is a 2012 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott, who is also the creator of the Alien franchise. The film explores the origins of humanity and the mysterious alien race known as the Engineers, who may have created or influenced human life on Earth. Prometheus is set in the year 2093, when a team of scientists and explorers embark on a mission to a distant moon called LV-223, where they hope to find answers to their questions about the Engineers and their role in human history.
1899 is a 2021 multilingual German period mystery-science fiction television series created by Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar, who are also the creators of the Netflix series Dark. The series follows a group of European emigrants traveling from Southampton, UK on a steamship named Kerberos to start new lives in New York City, US. The series is set in the year 1899, when the ship encounters a second vessel adrift on the open sea, which holds a dark and terrifying secret that could threaten the fate of humanity.
Both Prometheus and 1899 are stories that deal with themes of exploration, discovery, identity, and horror. They also share some similarities in terms of plot, characters, and visuals. Here are some of the possible connections between the two works:
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The Engineers and the Second Ship
One of the most obvious links between Prometheus and 1899 is the presence of an ancient and mysterious alien civilization that may have influenced or created human life. In Prometheus, the Engineers are revealed to be a humanoid race that visited Earth millions of years ago and seeded it with their DNA, creating various forms of life, including humans. However, they also had a darker side, as they experimented with bioweapons and planned to destroy humanity at some point in history. The Prometheus crew discovers a complex structure on LV-223 that contains several chambers filled with urns containing a black liquid that can mutate or kill any living organism. They also find a dormant Engineer in a stasis pod, who wakes up and attacks them when they try to communicate with him.
In 1899, the second ship that the Kerberos crew encounters is also an alien structure that contains secrets and dangers. The ship is actually a massive organic entity that resembles a whale or a leviathan. It has several openings that lead to different parts of its interior, which are filled with various creatures and phenomena that defy natural laws. The ship also has a connection to the Engineers, as it contains several holograms that show images of their history and culture. The ship seems to have a mind of its own, as it manipulates the memories and emotions of the Kerberos crew, making them see visions of their pasts or fears.
The Characters and Their Motivations
Another similarity between Prometheus and 1899 is the characterization of the main protagonists and their motivations for embarking on their respective journeys. In Prometheus, Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) is an archaeologist who believes that the Engineers are humanity’s creators and wants to meet them and ask them why they made us. She is driven by her faith and curiosity, as well as her personal tragedy of being unable to conceive a child with her partner Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green). Holloway is also an archaeologist who shares Shaw’s passion for finding the Engineers, but he is more skeptical and cynical about their intentions. He is willing to take risks and challenge authority to get answers.
In 1899, Maura Franklin (Emily Beecham) is a neurologist and one of the first female doctors in the UK, who travels alone to America to start a new life. She is driven by her scientific curiosity and her desire to escape from her past, which involves a traumatic event that left her with a scar on her face. She also has a connection to Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce), the founder and CEO of Weyland Corporation, who funded her research and gave her a device that allows her to access her memories. Daniel Solace (Aneurin Barnard) is a mysterious man who boards the Kerberos at the last minute. He claims to be an engineer who works for Weyland Corporation, but he has ulterior motives for joining the expedition. He is interested in finding out more about the second ship and its secrets.
The Visuals and The Atmosphere
Both Prometheus and 1899 are visually stunning works that create an immersive and atmospheric experience for the viewers. They use advanced technology and practical effects to create realistic and detailed environments that evoke awe and terror. They also use cinematography and lighting to create contrast and mood.
Prometheus uses 3D cameras to capture the vastness and beauty of space, as well as the harshness and mystery of LV-223. The film uses bright colors and natural light to highlight the landscapes and structures of the alien world, while also using dark colors and shadows to create tension and suspense in the interiors of the Engineer complex and the Prometheus ship. The film also uses CGI and animatronics to create the creatures and effects that populate the film, such as the Engineers, the black liquid, the Hammerpede, the Trilobite, and the Deacon.
1899 uses a revolutionary technique called “The Volume”, which is a 360-degree LED screen that projects photorealistic backgrounds and environments that react to the camera movements and lighting. The series uses this technology to create the illusion of being on a ship in the middle of the ocean, as well as inside the second ship and its various chambers. The series uses dark colors and low light to create a gloomy and claustrophobic atmosphere, while also using flashes of light and color to create contrast and surprise. The series also uses practical effects and makeup to create the creatures and phenomena that haunt the characters, such as the Siren, the Dolls, the Eye, and the Key.
