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As the acclaimed 'astronauts in peril' deep-space horror/thriller Pandorum hits UK cinemas, we take a look at some of the most iconic depictions of our friends (and enemies) from outer space in the history of sci-fi movies.

E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Tagline: "He is afraid. He is totally alone. He is three million light years from home."
What's the story? A group of children help an alien botanist return home after his ship makes a swift exit and leaves him stranded on Earth, while the authorities swamp the area in a bid to track down this 'Extra Terrestrial' visitor.
Trivia: E.T.'s distinctive croaky voice was provided by Pat Welsh, an elderly woman from California who smoked two packets of cigarettes a day.
Memorable quote: "E.T. phone home."

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Tagline: "We are not alone."
What's the story? After being mesmerised by his own UFO sighting, everyman Roy Neary feels inexplicably drawn to the isolated Devil's Peak, where he finds an international team of scientists is about to have a close encounter of the 'third kind' - by making first contact with visitors from another world.
Trivia: An upside down R2-D2 can be seen attached to the 'mothership' when it first flies over Devil's Tower.
Memorable quote: "He says the sun came out last night. He says it sang to him."

Alien (1979)
Tagline: "In space no one can hear you scream."
What's the story? When the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo respond to what they believe is a distress signal from a nearby planet, they unwittingly bring back on board the evil spawn of a terrifying, acid-blooded monster which proceeds to hunt down and kill them, one by one.
Trivia: The lasers that were used in the alien ship's egg chamber were borrowed from British rock legends The Who; the band were testing the lasers in the soundstage next door.
Memorable quote: "This is Ripley, last survivor of the Nostromo, signing off."

Mars Attacks! (1996)
Tagline: "Nice planet. We'll take it!"
What's the story? When US satellites spot a fleet of flying saucers heading for Earth, the President's advisers convince him they're probably on a peaceful mission, and a welcoming committee is prepared for the aliens. But on arrival, the Martians turn out to be a warmongering bunch of little green psychos - albeit with a wicked sense of humour.
Trivia: The sound effect used for the Martians' ray guns was taken from the 1953 movie version of The War of the Worlds.
Memorable quote: "Ack! Ack! Ack! Don't run! We are your friends!"

Predator (1987)
Tagline: "It came for the thrill of the hunt. It picked the wrong man to hunt."
What's the story? A group of commandos on a mission to rescue downed airmen from guerillas in a Central American jungle are hunted and killed by a mysterious assailant. Virtually invisible, this 'predator' blends in with the forest, taking skulls from its victims as it offs them for sport.
Trivia: The predator's blood was made using a mixture of K-Y jelly and the liquid from inside glow sticks.
Memorable quote: "If it bleeds, we can kill it."

Feature: Mark Appleby
Photos: Rex