Salford man admits alien autopsy fake

April 06, 2006

SCULPTOR: John Humphreys.

SCULPTOR: John Humphreys. 1/2 Play Slideshow

A SALFORD-BORN special effects expert, who has designed the aliens for Ant and Dec's big screen debut Alien Autopsy, claims he made models that 10 years ago fooled the world into thinking they were really watching the dissection of a real-life extra-terrestrial.

Sculptor John Humphreys has done modelling work for films such as Alexander and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and for TV series including Doctor Who.

But until now, he says, he has kept secret his most well-known work - footage of an alleged post mortem of an alien which, some say, crashed to Earth in Roswell in the United States in 1947. For years sceptics have claimed it was a hoax, but John has stayed quiet - saying he was sworn to secrecy.

But with the release of sci-fi comedy Alien Autopsy, which features Ant and Dec and which is based loosely on the Roswell film, John says he has decided to reveal his role in the making of the 1996 film.

'Identical'

John, who grew up on The Avenue in Lower Broughton and now lives near Eastbourne, says the latest film features creatures which are identical to the aliens he created for the Roswell film.

"All we did for the Ant and Dec film was recreate the models we made 10 years ago from photographs we took at the time," said father-of-two John, who says he also played the role of the surgeon in the original film as well as designing the iconic aliens.

"The first time around we put together a fantastic film in a very short space of time and the models we used were destroyed after we made the film," he said.

"Ant and Dec were great to work with - they have really kept their feet on the ground and they were a pleasure to be around. I visited the set for a few days and they were fantastic."

Despite his admission about his role in the making of the original film, John doesn't claim to be able to explain the truth about what happened at Roswell.

"The truth is out there but there are layers and layers, it's like the real X Files and people will have to make their own minds up," he said.

* Alien Autopsy is out on general release from today and if you want to find out more about John's work you can visit his website at www.john-humphreys.com

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Johan, London (07/04/2006 at 02:42)

You know- once upon a time fraud was a crime.

A Mystery Lover, USA (07/04/2006 at 09:26)

Why in the world would anyone create such a masterfull illusion and then RUIN it by removing the mystery?
I assumed it was fake, but I did NOT want proof of the forgery...I enjoyed that minute doubt that maybe, just maybe...
and now it's all just a cheap joke.

Spanner, Manchester (07/04/2006 at 22:12)

I read a sheep's brain covered in gelatine was used for the autopsy 'brain'. But, even allowing for this, the brain shown was many times larger than any sheep brain. Dudes, this needs explaining! I have seen countless sheeps brains at the abattoir's, they are tiny little things...

Philip Mantle, Wakefield, West Yorkshire (07/04/2006 at 22:31)

What does Humphreys think to him being involved in what some have claimed as being the biggest money-making hoax in history. Does he not feel somewhat ashamed or was he unaware of the intended purpose of his creation ?

Philip.

Chgris, United States (08/04/2006 at 00:50)

The aspect of the film that made it look so authentic was when the surgeon pulled the dark lens off the alien's eye. Otherwise, I had my doubts! Pretty good fake if you ask me.

Thomas Turk, Vienna Austria (08/04/2006 at 07:26)

Coiuld our Walford born special effecter explain how he used Kodak Black and White film, date symboled with a triangle??and square, denoting the date of manufacure, around 1947 and no later than 1952. This film would have spoilt by 1996. That was a very clever special effect! Then, would he explain, or is that a trade secret, how did he get the model to bleed when he made his incision on the head. We must also ask why would a pathologist who examined the film state that it was not a pathologist who carried out the autopsy but a skilled surgeon. Maybe our new hero practices in Harley street spare time. I think he has presented himself as the new hoaxer, to all of those in the know.

RJ, New Zealand (08/04/2006 at 07:53)

hmm, he has no proof that he created the first ones, so whose to say he is telling the truth and not trying to claim credit for someone else work.

loretta blondeau, Slave Lake Alberta Canada (08/04/2006 at 09:25)

You know what I feel is the saddest thing about all of this?
The fact that while it very well could be true that now or at some past time we could be/have been, visited by aliens.
In searching for the truth in this matter, or any (big foot,Crop circles...), the sad truth is that we have these people who for a few dollars will fake "proofs" and throw all respectable findings or researchers into the the arena of fighting the fakes instead of being able to focus and intelligently confirm, or not, the existance of these things. Instead we waist time and good research, as most will think any "proof" is a fake, so there couldn't possibly be these things.Shame on them for throwing these fakes into what could be intelligent and meaningful research.Crying wolf never has helped in moving things along.

KingoftheBEES, Isle of Jersey (08/04/2006 at 10:43)

You know, once upon a time people could take a joke, instead of thinking in legalese "oh that is fraud" or this or that....my point is you all suck...lighten up...

AussieGAL, Australia (08/04/2006 at 11:06)

What about the film itself. Wasnt it authentic and Wasnt it supposed to be dated to the mid 40s. Why would a person go to so much trouble to make the aliens - only to destroy them after wards. Seems a little too convenient for my liking.
Until he proves that he made the aliens I do not believe his story. Another cover up...

Loretta Blondeau, Slave Lake Alberta Canada (08/04/2006 at 18:20)

This is my 2nd submit,
It is too bad that one cannot be left to research these things we are faced with in our culture without those that will fake evidence for the quick cash. This is the reason other intelligent, honest research can go nowhere. Even if something is/was found to be proof that these things do in fact exist, these fakers have tainted all so as no one can believe anything even if valid for fear it is a fake. That is too bad, as quite possibly we are missing a lot of amazing knowledge that one will just assume is fake. I wonder if they really understand the harm they inflict on a society that yearns for truth's. I thought it was illegal also, is this man being prosecuted!?

Bill Gates, Redmond, Washington USA (09/04/2006 at 00:33)

Yeah, as if anyone with half a brain beleive that piece of tripe. Just the fact that the hack photographer Bob Shell was involved in it was proof enough.

vidette, tennessee (09/04/2006 at 03:40)

The story was known to be fake from the start. There were items in the autopsy area that didn't exist in that era.

Gutted (City Fan), Manchester (10/04/2006 at 15:52)

Wot, the aliens from this film are fake! Next they will be telling me the Tooth Fairy and Father Xmas arent real! Upset, let down and gutted at these hoaxters! (Honestly, people, get real. If you believed this film you would believe Man City have a chance at becoming a successful football club).

ChM, France (10/04/2006 at 18:07)

Where are the proofs of the claim ? This sounds like free advertisement.

Where are the proofs that the autopsy and the film are fake ?
I have never seen them.

Rob, Bristol (10/04/2006 at 20:35)

Two things spring to mind. The first is that this was filmed on movie reel that Kodak themselves certified as circa 1947. The second is that the Ant & Dec movie has just been released ridiculing the story, and how opportune, this guy steps forward with no proof that he made the film. Whether the autopsy is a fake or not, this guy could not have made it.
He has not dented the search for the real truth, I have had a UFO 2ft from my face, as clear as day, man made? I don't think so!
Video's exist of military and UFO's a hundred yards away from the camera, they aren't fakes and the military will stop at nothing to get hold of them.
We are not alone, the evidence is there from eye witnesses, videos, photo's, sound recordings etc etc etc. The only question is...why is the truth being withheld?

Rob, Melbourne, Australia (12/04/2006 at 05:05)

Humph's delusions of grandeur had me spasming with hysterical laughter. "Fooled the world." Yeah right. His alien-under-the- knife footage was about as convincing as Paris Hilton in a lab coat. Make that less convincing.

Fixit, Middleton (14/04/2006 at 10:53)

Rob, I dont believe in UFOs for one uncontestable reason! If they are hyper intelligent mega beings, then why do they visit obscure, backwater villages and bits of waste lands such as deserts? Surely they would be far more interested in the capital cities of this world where they can study the culture, the history etc. Which leads me to two conclusions, firstly, they are fools and not very good at navigation! Or secondly, they dont exist! On the grand scheme of things the Universe is relatively young, what if we are the first evolved organism in the Universe? Aliens may exist, but they still may be single celled creatures crawling around in a primordial soup. The facts are, no conclusive proof has ever been pictured and submitted. Radio waves have been beamed into space for years and we havent received anything back yet! Proof is proof and this story coupled with UFOs proves one very important thing, there is one born every minute!

Rob, Bristol UK (17/04/2006 at 20:10)

Fixit. That is not an uncontestible reason for UFO's not to exist. It took us 60m years to evolve. The universe is billions of years old. Other intelligent life could have existed and evolved way beyond us in that time. NASA has photo's of UFO's next to the moon probes, the space shuttles, and on the moon. Astronauts have stated that they saw them on the moon and flying next to them. NASA no longer shows live video from space for this reason. Like I said, I have had a UFO literally 2ft from my nose, I am a 50 year old data analyst with a major bank. I know what I saw and I know exactly what it looked like and what colour and shape it was. They do exist and the deeper you dig the more you realise just what is going on out there. It is a dark and dangerous game to play and there are some ruthless and dangerous players. Anyone who has not entered this world has no idea of the extent of the cover up, and those that have are getting hold of information that is ditsurbing to say the least.

Fixit, Middleton (18/04/2006 at 16:03)

Ok Rob, point taken. I accept there is a mass cover up by the powers that be. I also believe you had a UFO sighting in such close proximity and I am sure thousands of others witnessed it and you all have photos to prove it. I also concede the point about radio waves, all the millions of amateur radio buffs and anyone with an antenna in there house can pick up these waves and they dont. This does point towards a mass conspiracy. I am impressed with the silence too, I mean the USA and Russia are the space super powers and for them both to agree to a conspiracy (and in the height of the cold war), is nothing short of a heartwarming display of friendship and cooperation. So I concede my argument. UFOs do exist and all the governments of the world are conspirators hiding UFO visits. Now, if you want, you can carry on watching the X Files whilst I go to the pub. Hope I dont get abducted by aliens on the way home!

Simon, Los Angeles (19/04/2006 at 05:06)

I new it was a hoax when I saw a button phone on the wall in the background, in the autopsy clip. They didn't have phones like that in 1947/48!

Rob, Bristol (21/04/2006 at 20:00)

Fixit. So you are now admitting that you have no evidence to disprove the massive amount of documented evidence from all over the planet. As for why don't they visit the cities...they do, six of them were filmed over the White House. How much more evidence do you need? Are you calling Neil Armstrong and all of the other astronauts liars too? And NASA? and the thousands of people who have seen them? Sure, some of the evidence is hoaxed, as was the autopsy video, but the reputable sources are genuine. I guess Area 51 and Pine Gap are illusions too? I have no idea why some people refuse to acknowledge the obvious...maybe it is just fear?

Fixit, Middleton (24/04/2006 at 12:58)

The burden of proof isnt on me. I have never seen one and never seen evidence from a government to substantiate UFOs either. So no, I dont believe. Black and white, simple. However, if a data analyst says he knows they exist, then thats proof enough for me. Proof enough some people will believe any old rubbish that is. Admit it, I bet your a Star Trek fan and speak Klingon. I bet you enjoy the X Files and you believe The Lord of the Rings was a documentary about a place called Middle Earth. Admit it, you believe in any conspiracy about any subject matter dont you. Me, I am rational, show me proof, show me a real alien space ship and then I will believe. Until then, let naive over active minds entertain themselves by believing any old rubbish!

bluefrog, Quebec (12/05/2006 at 04:16)

It was really well done... But.. Maybe he wants the credits.
Maybe he made it. Maybe there are no aliens after all.
...But then again, I may be wrong!
WHO KNOWS !?

pathfinder, england (03/08/2006 at 17:48)

yeh yeh look at the plaque on the wall why does it change if this is a hoax?

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