tech
The Alien Autopsy Scandal: this fascinating tale of a bizarre DIY hoax hits Spinal Tap levels of hilarity
A fake alien made by a Doctor Who sculptor, animal organs sourced from a butcher, an actual magician behind the camera … this outrageous story makes for a great watch
TL;DR
- The 'Alien Autopsy' film from 1995, claimed to show an extraterrestrial autopsy, was a hoax created in London.
- Businessmen Ray Santilli and Gary Shoefield hired a sculptor and a magician to produce the footage.
- A fake alien was constructed using animal organs like lamb's brain and pig's pluck.
- Santilli maintains the story that he was sold an original film which he then 'restored' by recreating missing parts.
- A homeless man was filmed in disguise as the anonymous cameraman when skeptics demanded to meet him.
- Reg Presley, singer of The Troggs, inadvertently broke the story of the hoax on a TV show.
- The hoaxers profited from VHS home rentals of the fake documentary.
- The article contrasts the analogue charm of this hoax with modern AI fakery, lamenting a loss of trust and wonder.