3 films that influenced Ladytron

The Andromeda Strain

The Andromeda Strain is a thriller from 1971 directed by Robert Wise about a group of scientists that investigates a deadly new alien virus before it can spread. This film was an inspiration for Ladytron's uniforms during 604 and Light & Magic eras, plus (sort of) the title of 604 album. There's an error 601 on one of the displays from the lab in this film.

Daniel: "I'm really into The Andromeda Strain [Michael Crichton's futuristic novel that was made into a 1971 movie – Ed.], so that's kind of an influence on the title of the album and the uniforms we've got and stuff. But the design – me and Reuben just love that film". (Source)

Also the design of the US version of the 604 cover (especially the big 604) was probably inspired by some inscriptions from this film.

Watership Down

Watership Down is an animation from 1978 directed by Martin Rosen about a group of rabbits that flee their doomed warren and face many dangers to find and protect their new home. This film was an inspiration for the Ladytron song and music video "Ghosts". The lyric "prince with a thousand enemies" is directly inspired by the character El-ahrairah from this movie.

Mira: "I'm obsessed by films so there are lots of favourites but I really like Watership Down, David Lynch films and lots of horror films". (Source)

Helen: "I love the animation. I love the music. I love rabbits. It's not as simple as being just a gory scare fest. #watershipDown". (Source)

Helen: "I like Watership Down as well". (Source)

Suspiria

Suspiria is a horror film from 1977 directed by Dario Argento about a newcomer to a fancy ballet academy that gradually comes to realize that the school is a front for something far more sinister and supernatural amidst a series of grisly murders.

Suspiria probably influenced Witching Hour in a way. For example the film features witches and the line "Bad luck isn't brought by broken mirrors, but by broken minds" probably was an inspiration for the "Soft Power" lyric "Broken glass, is luxury". Reuben and Helen mentioned this film during the interview for Fly Music below (around 2:11). They also mentioned the films Phenomena and Noir.




Also during a special Halloween show at El Rey, Los Angeles in 2006, Ladytron had Suspiria playing in the background on screens throughout their performance.